The economy is affecting everything including marriages. We’ve touched on this before in the marriage blog, how financial crises can lead to conflict and divorce, how it can affect the kind of wedding that you have and even how it can delay a divorce. Today I wanted to share with you some ways that husbands and wives can really help each other in this economy and make not only their marriages stronger but support each other.
When the economy, global or personal is in crisis, it is more important than ever to work together.
Although your husband may or may not be the main breadwinner in the family, studies have shown that husbands personally take on a lot of the responsibility for providing for their family. If there is a reduction in income or the lifestyle, reassure your husband that he is in fact doing a wonderful job at taking care of the family and that the burden should be equally shared. Husbands should not isolate themselves from the family or place blame on themselves or their spouses. In fact, spending more time together is a sure way to reinforce the fact that you are a team and will face whatever challenges you have together.
Find ways to economize around the home. Make it a fun adventure or a challenge rather than looking at it as a sacrifice or a burden. Who can come up with the best idea to save $5? $25 or $50? Just cutting back on eating out or the number of extra curricular activities could relieve some financial stress.
Find sources of extra income that you can both do together. How about finally having that garage sale or organizing stuff for Ebay or Craigslist? Do you have an idea for a home based business that you can do together?
Can you think of how your spouse might need some extra support during this economic situation? If so, how can you provide that support?
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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