Marriage Prep #1

There are three areas of marital life that, statistically, prove to be the most common areas of stress in a relationship. The first is money, or finances. In fact, financial stress is now the number one reason for divorce.

Before you get married, sit down together and work out a budget. Agree on a philosophy of saving, spending, and investing. Know what the other is thinking--not just verbally, but also in action. Relationships built on secret spending or clandestine vices like gambling or expensive hobbies will experience trouble. Are you together in your financial plans?

Also, be open about your debt. Many couples are now entering marriage with $30,000, $40,000, or even $100,000 worth of credit card or student loan debt. Don't sink your marriage via debt overload.

If you need, help...read. Go online and find a financial planning guide. Talk to experts. Get advice. Set a realistic budget and stick to it. If you do this, you'll be thanking each other for years to come.