Posts Tagged ‘financial budget’

4 Ways to Agree on Tipping and How Much to Spend on Gifts

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

The 5 Resolutions You Don't Want To Make

When we first got married, Scott had been working as a waiter. He lived off of his tips and knew other waiters depended on them, too. I, on the other hand, had never worked in the food industry and didn’t think much about tips beyond adding a standard 15% to my bill. The first time I watched Scott give our server an incredibly generous tip, I was stunned. That was “our” money he was handing out!

Scott is still a generous tipper but now we know we need to talk about money, not just assume the other person feels the same way about it we do. We have noticed that gift giving throughout the year can bring real tension to a relationship especially if one person is a Spender and the other a Saver. That’s why financial communication is so important in a relationship.

[Read the Complete Money Couple Minute HERE]

4 Steps to Your Best Summer Vacation Ever!

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

When money is tight, the first thing to get cut from the budget is fun–things like vacations, dates, and family outings. But those are the parts of life that make it interesting! And what good is having a tight budget if you aren’t enjoying the life you’ve worked so hard to build?

If money is tight this year, don’t automatically assume you can’t take a vacation. Instead, take a good look at your budget and use these guidelines to decide what kind of get-away you can get away with.

  1. Make it about memories and don’t break the bank. Learn more
  2. Start planning now. Learn more
  3. Do some homework. Learn more
  4. Redefine vacation. Learn more

To get the full details for each of the 4 steps, view the entire Money Couple Minute HERE.

When Money and Romance Collide

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Sometimes Cupid’s arrows hit the pocketbook and the results are not pretty. Not long ago, we sat down with a couple that was having major financial issues. He was a romantic Spender who loved to splurge on his sweetie, but… Read the entire Money Couple Minute HERE. View all the Money Couple Minutes and discover a wealth of short suggestions and usable points to help the financial communication in your relationship.

Is It Time to Take a Risk?

Monday, January 18th, 2010

What now? It’s a question we are hearing from more and more couples as the recession takes its toll. Those who’ve lost jobs wonder what they’ll do next. Those who’ve taken a major financial hit are trying to rebuild. Those who’ve weathered the changes so far are worrying if they’re going to be the next casualties.

But in the midst of these changes, many people see opportunity. This might be the right time to take a risk with your time and finances. But first you and your partner need to cover these four bases… Click HERE to read the entire Money Couple Minute on taking a risk. You can see all the Money Couple Minute topics HERE.

Get Your Kids Excited About Giving

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Every parent wants to raise compassionate, generous children. Giving to others should and can be fun, it doesn’t have to be the financial equivalent of eating your vegetables. With the right approach, practicing generosity can build family unity, develop a deep sense of compassion in your kids, and teach them invaluable financial communication skills that will carry over into their everyday lives.

Take a look at this weeks Money Couple Minute on “Getting Your Kids Excited About Giving.” In it you’ll find some practical and fun ways to get your kids involved in a positive way this holiday season. While you’re there, be sure to check out the other Money Couple Minutes for the holidays.

How to Handle Holiday Spending?

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

For many couples, the holidays are a minefield of difficult money decisions. How do we stick to a budget and still give meaningful gifts? Do we really need to buy a gift for Great Aunt Martha? Where are we going to get the money to pay for all of this stuff?

With so many money-based decisions coming in the midst of all the other stressful events of the holiday season, it’s more important than ever that your financial communication stays strong.

Start this holiday season with a Money Huddle to check in on expectations and create a spending plan that won’t leave you broke come January. The Money Huddle will help you get on track and prioritize your spending. It will also keep you from out of control spending because you will be able to determine goals and limits ahead of time.

Discover the strategies to create your gift list, set spending limits, plan your time to shop, learn how weekly check-ins help, and how your Money Personalities will affect how you and your spouse handle your holiday spending in this weeks Money Couple Minute: How to Handle Holiday Spending.

Dealing with a Budget Buster

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

If one of you is struggling to stick with a budget, try tracking your spending for one month. Write down every cent that goes out – from the mortgage to double mocha’s. At the end of the month, look at where your money goes. Then talk about where you can cut back and find ways to compromise so that both of you can live with the changes you make.

Get more practical tips on dealing with a budget buster in this weeks Money Couple MinuteDealing with a Budget Buster.