Point 2: Finances cripple us.
Why I agree: It’s common knowledge that money problems are one of the biggest contributors to divorce. When you add in the unemployment issues many couples have faced over the last several years combined with the rising cost of living, it can be difficult not to let financial stress affect your marriage and dates often get reduced in order to pay the bills, which only compounds the problem.
Why I disagree: I think it’s a bit naive to think that our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents never dealt with financial stress. My parents and most of my friend’s parents and grandparents were young and broke when they had us, yet a lot of them made it through that and continue to still have stable marriages to this day.
How to prevent: Date nights are very important and D’Ambrosio is right that they often do go by the wayside when bills go up. If you’re on a strict budget, you can still go on low cost dates like a picnic, happy hour, for coffee, or to the beach. Also, try to be as financially honest with your partner as possible and not live above your means. Another great tip I read about money problems recently is “try not to fight about money because at the end of the argument, your bank balance will still be the same.”
