People often think financial problems are caused by a lack of money. Sometimes. But it’s usually our perceptions of money that affect how we spend and how we save.
Matt Bell, author and managing editor at Sound Mind Investing, can attest to that. In his mid-twenties, he received $60,000 from an uncle – more money than he could spend. Or so he thought. He used the money to create a job in which he travelled internationally to luxury golf courses and published a golf newsletter. In two years, he’d spent every dime and acquired $20,000 in credit card debt.
Differing financial opinions are consistently one of the top reasons married couples argue:
• 40% of couples don’t know their spouse’s salary.
• 28% of couples admit to hiding significant purchases or debt from their spouse.
Fortunately, there are practical, biblical ways to improve the financial health of your marriage.To equip you with helpful ideas for strengthening the financial well-being in your marriage, Matt Bell is joining me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly.
When Matt spent all of his money and couldn’t pay his bills, he returned to his parent’s house and learned to see God’s purpose for his life, even his debt:
“God was using it to put me on my knees in prayer. He was breaking me of my self-sufficiency and helping me learn to trust Him and draw strength from him. Loving God is our highest purpose, so building His Kingdom should be our highest financial purpose. We don’t give in order to get something from God; we give because of all that God has already done for us.”
Matt and I discussed:
• What to do when a spender marries a saver and vice versa.
• Tips for combating “financial infidelity” and creating financial unity in marriage.
• Avoiding debt and living within your means.
• How to avoid being in “bondage to debt.”
• What Matt says is the single most powerful tool you can use to manage money well.
• Saving, investing, debt payments, and advice for major purchases like homes and cars.
Hear our full conversation on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, or on our free phone app.
While you’re online, why not take a few moments to try our free Marriage Assessment online tool? It will help you quickly determine what’s working well in your relationship and identify areas where you may need some improvement.
Matt Bell’s book Starting Strong: Discovering the Good That Money Can Do Through Your Marriage is available for a gift of any amount. Click here or give us a call at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
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