Keys to Family Happiness/What Are the Challenges?

 Often disagreements over money are not really about cash or credit but also about trust or fear. For example, a husband who demands this his wife account for every cent she spends might really be saying that he has little faith in her ability to manage family finances. And a wife who complains that her husband saves too little money could actually be expressing her fear that some future event will cause the family financial harm.

Couples face another challenge-their backgrounds. "My wife comes from a family where money was managed well," says Matthew, who has been married for eight years.  "She does not have the hang-ups that I do. My father was an alcoholic and a chain-smoker and was out of work for extended periods of time. We often had to do without essential items, and I developed a real fear of being in debt. At times, this fear made me unreasonable with my wife about money matters." Whatever the reason for the tension, what can you do to make your money work for your marriage, not against it? 

Next time: Keys to Family Happiness/Four Keys to Success

From the jw.org publications