Yours, Mine and Ours (106)As their wedding approaches, Ellen Donahue is moving into Rob Evan's bachelor pad. With the help of arranger Laura Brenner, Rob and Ellen merge their furniture. Since they also need help determining how to organize their money, Carrie Coghill Martin, author of
The Newlywed's Guide to Investing and Personal Finance, talks to them about how to communicate about finances.
Tips: Merging Two Lives Under One Roof
- Continue courting. Keep a scheduled date night once a week to help your relationship stay strong.
- Discuss domestic responsibilities. Don’t assume the housework will magically get done without talking about it.
- Create shopping lists together. You’ll both get what you need and you could actually learn to like something new.
- Merge your music collection. If you have a lot of duplicates trade them in to buy discs you both want.
- And don’t feel like you have to give up everything from your former life. Treasured items like letters and photos are part of your personal history.
Problem: Turning a bachelor pad into a home for two.
Solution: Create a new space in the old one.
- Decide what works and what doesn't.
- Make a blank canvas to work from.
- Merge your belongings and purge unnecessary ones.
- Use old items in new ways.
Contact Information:
Laura Brenner
Interior Decorator and Owner of "I Can Arrange That"
Icanarrangethat@aol.com
Resources:
www.redecorate.com
For more information: Search keyword(s): getting married
Merging Finances Facts:
- Couples who meet once a month to discuss finances reduce 90 percent of marital arguments.
- One third of adults neglect to discuss personal finances with spouses.
Tips: Changes to Make After Getting Married
- Notify government agencies of name change within 10 days of the wedding.
- Keep your marriage certificate handy, you'll need it for identification when changing your accounts.
- Exchange each other’s social security numbers.
- Don't be afraid to begin estate planning.
Problem: Conflicting financial styles.
Solution: Communicate about money.
- Evaluate your credit card debt.
- Keep good records and have them available for seven years.
- Save and plan for your future.
Contact information:
Carrie Coghill-Martin
3100 Koppers Building
436 Seventh Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-227-2800
www.dbroot.com
Resources:
The Newlyweds’ Guide To Investing And Personal Finance
by Carrie Coghill-Martin and Evan M. Pattak.
For more information: Search keyword(s): newlyweds, financial planning.
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