4. Separate Needs From Wants

They say, “Yesterday’s luxuries have become today's necessities.” But in today’s consumer culture, it is very important for couples to distinguish carefully between what they “need” and what they “want”. This will help them better to understand their finances and manage it well so that they don’t end up overspending.

Financial problems in marriage are primarily about expectations. Lowering these expectations can benefit marriages in many ways. Spouses will be more willing to avoid making purchases that may create debt and pressure in their relationship and, second, spouses will be tending more to interpret their present situation with more gratitude and optimism.