Money and Marriage

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Hello great steemians,

I'm glad to take part in this contest with such interesting topic, "Money and marriage."

The choice of money over the peace of a home has caused much harm to many marriages. As clearly stated in the Holy Bible. "The love of money is the root of all evil". Most misunderstanding in homes are caused by money issues and this has posed great problems in marriages.

Do i say one does not need money to run the affairs of a home? No! Money is very important in each home.

I invite you to read my entry on Money and Marriage.

Is money central to family happiness? If you think it is, please explain how but if you think it's not, please tell us what could be.

Money is one of the basic needs of a family. Money can never be central to family happiness. A family can have money and yet not be happy.

I believe that despite how money is rated and considered important in each home, there are some things or solutions money cannot give.
Imagine a family where a member is sick, got admitted to hospital and after all medical attention, the person still died. Money couldn't bring happiness even in such situation.

Also, imagine a home where there is money but true love and happiness are not evident, such home will end up in catastrophe and happiness cannot exist in it.

I have heard about many wealthy homes that are catastrophic. One thing may lead to other and such homes are divided. Despite the fact that there is enough money, true happiness cannot be found.

I have also seen homes who are not that rich but they are contended with what they have, they also work hard to get more and there is happiness in such homes.

In my opinion, I believe love and peace is central to family happiness. This is more valuable than money without peace and love.

What are some common money related issues among couples in your area? Does this have any cultural undertone

One of the common money issue is the situation where a wife will seek for divorce due to some uncertainties found in the home and demand for half portion of the husbands finances.

This has caused much issues and has led men to do many things like having their family members as shifting their possessions to family members and having their family member as next of kin instead of their wife to ensure that his property is protected should such issue occurs.

Another issue is the fact that it is believed by many that husbands money is for the family while the wife's money belongs to her. This has raised a lot of issue in homes. This has led to some men failing to take up their responsibility with the mindset that the wife's money is part of the family's finances.

Another issue is the fact that some husbands tends to become lazy because their wife is hardworking and can provide for the family. They rely on their wife for food and other provisions.

I have been a witness of this. I watched the lady narrate how she provides for the family while the husbands money is nowhere to be seen. This caused a lot of issues in that home and the children were affected psychologically.

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How will you deal with a situation where a spouse feels that Your money is our money but my money is my money

I think this is caused by lack of understanding of what family is all about. I believe that finances from both spouse are meant for the well being of the family, hence, there should be no need of separating finances.

Such spouse needs to be educated on what family means and the dangers of his/her action should be clearly spelt out. Any money made by both spouse should be used together for the well being of the family and should not be separated.

In your opinion, is a wife obligated to submit her salary to her husband at the end of each month? Or should it be the other way round.

These things depends on how each family lays their foundation. If there will be understanding and peace when the wife keeps the money, let her continue. If on the other hand, there is joy and peace when the wife submit the money, let that rule too.

I heard a man narrate how her wife keeps their money and it made them invest very well. He explained that when a woman is managing the family's money, she doesn't spend recklessly, she makes less demands and make judicious use of such money to present something tangible.

Left with me, any how the money is being kept is good as long as there is understanding and peace with it and the money is not also used recklessly by any party.

I would also suggest, couples have joint account. It will help them remain accountable.

Why is money such a big issue in marriage lately? what measures do you [or will you] take to mitigate this problem.

Money has become a major issue as many people have seen it as a means to an end. They see it as everything. Some even prefer it to their spouse.

One of the measures I will take is first of all have an understanding that my marriage is much more important than money. Such understanding will help me guide my home beyond money. Inasmuch money is necessary in a home, it is not enough to keep it. Peace and love will do that and as such I will choose more of those things in my home.

Also, there should be a plan on how money would be handled and managed in each home. Having this decision will help the couple to work with each method they outline to be the best for them.

Here, they sit down to decide what they do with money in their home, who holds it and also decide if the wife will always submit her money or not.

Conclusion

One of the causes of all these money issues in homes is lack of planning. If couples could sit down during courtship and discuss these things and come to a definite conclusion on how to go about it, there wouldn't have been issues with it.

Finally, what so ever the family has, belongs to such family and must be used to solve family needs. No one should hold back their finances but should be used wholly to solve family needs.