Situations: Couple #1 is Sherry & Rick. Rick is a financial counselor who saves every penny possible with the goal of retiring at age 40. The couple never goes out, just for fun. They have one old car, one small house, sparsely furnished. Sherry is a gentle soul who just goes along with Rick's ideas because she loves him.
Couple #2 is Joanna & Hank. They both have technical careers, both earn well into the six figures. Joanna is a conservative spender, doesn't like debt. Bob spends every penny he has ever earned and loves buying valuable old coins.
Couple #3 is Christie & Steven. Christie is a stay-at-home mom, loves cooking from 'scratch', crafting, having play dates between her children and friends' children. Steven has an entry-level job and has to watch every cent just to have ends meet; he is not happy about this because he can't spend much money on his favorite hobbies.
Lessons learned: Money can be a source of deep problems in a family. It is wise to learn to spend within our means - don't have much debt. These couples are extreme examples of money management that doesn't really work.
Couples MUST talk about money issues BEFORE they get married. Why would anyone risk not knowing the other's habits and attitudes and level of debt?
Outcomes: Couple #1, Sherry & Rick are still hanging in there. Rick has seen too many families who are devastated due to no savings when they retire. Sherry knows he is extreme but, so far, will help him achieve his goal.
Couple #2, Joanna & Hank had a nasty, contested, expensive divorce. After Hank went through all his money and started going through Joanna's savings, she saw there was no hope for his being reasonable. Hank was very angry she didn't let him buy more old coins and tried to get a divorce settlement from her!
Couple #3, Christie & Steven are also divorced. Christie saw how nervous and unhappy Steven was and finally took a job herself. One of those 'old-fashioned guys' who really was threatened by a working wife, Steven threatened to quit. Even though, with Christie's income, they no longer had to penny-pinch to survive financially, Steven couldn't change. He was truly stingy - even with his very self.
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