Solving Your Money Affecting Relationship Problem

Posted on October 10, 2008
Filed Under Decision skill | Leave a Comment

The economy affects personal relationships as well as working relationships. A key question people are asking is “How do I begin to tackle the problems we are facing?

As promised, we are bringing you links to other experts in the field. I have spent most of this week talking about stress, loving, money, and sex. Here is some advice from a friend who specializes in career fitness. Malcolm O. Munro – Career Fitness Coach wrote a special piece this week on problem solving: short term and long term solutions for those in business, but it can apply to all of us.

Personal and relationship stress as these relate to money problems will be with us for a long time given today’s economy.

Most people will need a short term plan and a long term plan, but first we each need to identify the problem.

Short Term: Malcolm says, “These are problems that give us headaches in the moment and come without warning. These could be a moderate annoyance or a critical issue that can cause great harm. The solutions to these problems are quick and result in instant abatement of the problem.”

Relating to the economy and your own relationships

Determine the problem that is pushing you over the edge
Make a budget
Work as a team in you are married or in a committed relationship
Maintain a positive attitude with a vision towards a solution
Call a credit agency to help you such as Money Management International Money Management.org/

Long Term: Malcolm calls these “chronic problems that have a history of plaguing us. They may be mild in nature or severe enough to cause hate and discontent but are somewhat systemic in nature, meaning we don’t know why the problem is here or where it came from, we just want it gone!”

We know what happened to the economy but for many people a money shortage was a chronic problem even before the stock market seemed to hit rock bottom.

Relating to the economy and your own relationships:

If you have been living above your means, using my TACT Strategies®

Take a minute and think about where you need to be cutting back. Make a budget for the next year.
Assess the situation given money you have today and money you will need for the year.
Consider some alternatives — If you are married and one of you needs to consider finding a part time job, just do it. And if you need a job in a tough economy – go to Malcolm’s website – he can help. Career Fitness Coach
Take a stand: If you need to scale down – this may be the year to down size.

But what is key is that you – Work together – Refrain from the Blame Game – Create a plan