REASONS NOT TO GET MARRIED - MONEY

So, Why Aren't You Rich? Peels off layers of false perceptions regarding prosperity.

Money, while important, is still a lousy reason to get married, too. Marriage won't solve all your money problems (unless, as we said, you're a woman). But as a guy, getting married to the wrong kind of woman will only make your money problems worse.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money--That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not.

“They” say that two people can live as cheaply as one, but that's only true provided both people want to live next door to a crack-house. (Certainly, some couples will try to get by “living on love” only to find that actually means “performing live sex shows on stage for money.”)

Perhaps the single biggest cause of conflict among newlyweds is money management. Because everyone views this green papery substance very differently. And, how people deal with money stems from how they were brought up to deal with money. Just like religion, you can either reject your parents' way, or embrace it as law. But getting people to change how they deal with money is like getting them to change religions—people want to deal with money the way they always have. Their way (the right way).

But, if you're both thinking of keeping separate bank accounts, you probably shouldn't get married. After all, keeping your money separate isn't just saying, “I don't trust you with my money.” On a deeper level, it means, “I don't trust you, period.” And a relationship without trust won't last much longer than one without money. As a married couple, you need to think of all income as OUR money, not “your money” and “her money.” At the very least, you should set up three accounts. One joint account to pay for bills and expenses. Then divide what's left over into two separate accounts (so you can blow your extra money on porn, and she can blow hers on a divorce lawyer.)

The Millionaire Next Door How the elite club of millionaires got that way.

Whichever way you deal with money, it needs to jive with how your loved one deals with it—spendthrifts tend to annoy skinflints, and vice-versa. You both need to have the same attitude about what money means—and the same goals regarding how you spend it—for the marriage to work. If you're not both on the same page in The Big Book of Budgeting, go see a counselor and work those issues out. If there's too big a discrepancy, you better wait to get married until you win the fucking lottery.