ComputerHunter.org

 

Who Wants to Be Rich?


Well you may not become a billionaire or even a millionaire, but research shows that marriage helps couples and individuals generate more income and wealth than singles, and even cohabitating couples.

According to The Marriage Project researchers out of Rutgers University in New Jersey,

"... People who marry become economically better off. Men become more productive after marriage; they earn between ten and forty percent more than do single men with similar education and job histories. Marital social norms that encourage healthy, productive behavior and wealth accumulation play a role. Some of the greater wealth of married couples results from their more efficient specialization and pooling of resources, and because they save more. Married people also receive more money from family members than the unmarried (including cohabiting couples), probably because families consider marriage more permanent and more binding than a living-together union..."

If married couples have so much potential to be wealthy, why are money issues one of the leading causes of divorce? I have one simple answer. When couples take their focus off of their partner's emotional, physical and spiritual needs to worry about their finances or acquire more material possessions, they loose sight of one of the greatest missions and privileges of life: to love another human being.

Money is a wonderful and powerful tool, but don't let it consume you. Here are seven ways to find balance and keep your marriage happy and healthy.

1. Set financial goals for your family and prioritize them.

2. Develop a spending plan that can help both parties feel fulfilled. A great example of this strategy can be found in Debt-Proof Your Marriage: How to Achieve Financial Harmony by Mary Hunt.

3. Owe no one anything but love. Work towards being debt free.

4. Create a savings plan that includes 3-6 months living expenses. Then focus on investments. It may be tight, but try living off of one income for a time.

5. Try to find ways to be generous and give to charitable organizations regularly. If you belong to a church, tithe.

6. Pay the bills together. I know it may seem hard to find the time at first, but it can be a chance to review current spending.

7. Work towards owning a home (or a new car) only when you're ready. Don't feel the urge to do it because you've had a baby, your friends are doing it, or you're "tired of renting".

I leave you with this final word: Richness is not about having more money or showing off what you have. It's about finding abundance where you are and having courage, grace and savvy to go beyond your current circumstance. Be rich.

Keishia Lee-Louis is the Editor and Publisher of http://www.Married4Good.com (launching November 2005). Her work has appeared on iVillage.com, BibleResourceCenter.com, and in numerous other printed publications.

Currently, she lives with her husband, daughter and son and is writing a book on marriage and relationships which will be published Spring 2006.

If you'd like to see more of her work, visit http://married4good.blogspot.com







Google News - Top Stories

Los Angeles Times

Official: Richardson to be commerce secretary
The Associated Press - 1 hour ago
NEW YORK (AP) - President-elect Barack Obama has chosen New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be commerce secretary, adding a prominent Hispanic and one-time Democratic rival to his expanding Cabinet.
Video: Richardson Likely Pick for Commerce Secretary AssociatedPress
Richardson expected to be commerce secretary, sources say CNN Political Ticker
FOXNews - Wall Street Journal - Donklephant - San Jose Mercury News
all 615 news articles


FOXNews

Lawrence Summers to Head National Economic Council
Wall Street Journal - 3 hours ago
By JONATHAN WEISMAN President-elect Barack Obama will name former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers the director of his National Economic Council, placing the Harvard University economist he passed over for Treasury secretary inside the White House ...
President-elect Barack Obama pumps up his economic stimulus proposal Los Angeles Times
Obama unveils plan to restart stalled economy WNYT
Washington Post - San Jose Mercury News - Business Mirror - The Associated Press
all 1,201 news articles


WELT ONLINE

World Leaders at APEC Anxiously Await Obama Administration
Washington Post - 58 minutes ago
By Dan Eggen LIMA, Peru, Nov. 23 -- George W. Bush was the US president at an economic summit here this weekend, but many foreign leaders were focused on President-elect Barack Obama instead.
APEC members say all measures needed in crisis Reuters
Bush Wraps Up Asia Economic Meeting New York Times
Voice of America - International Herald Tribune - Xinhua - Reuters India
all 4,107 news articles


Houston Chronicle

Gunfire at Wash. shopping mall kills 1, wounds 1
The Associated Press - 46 minutes ago
TUKWILA, Wash. (AP) - A young gunman remained at large early Sunday following a shooting at a busy shopping mall that killed one teenager and seriously wounded another.
Video: Police Searching for Seattle-area Mall Shooter AssociatedPress
Police search for gunman in fatal mall shooting CNN International
Examiner.com - KBCI CBS 2 - eFluxMedia - CBS 21
all 1,287 news articles


BBC News

Dalai Lama Urges Caution in Tibet's Dealings With China
Washington Post - 23 minutes ago
By Emily Wax DHARMSALA, India, Nov. 23 -- With the future of his movement at a crossroads, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Sunday warned of dangers if Tibetan political leaders are not cautious in their strategy toward China.
Tibetan exiles at a crossroads BBC News
The Dalai Lama and Tibet ABC News
Wall Street Journal - eTaiwan News - AFP - The Associated Press
all 1,686 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base