How to Deal with Financial Problems in Your Marriage (2 Minute Read)

Daniel Crosby • June 13, 2023

Day 6

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a disagreement about money in your relationship?

Don’t be embarrassed. Did you know that money fights and money problems are the #1 cause of marital conflict in the U.S.?

The good news about that is if you and your spouse can get on the same page with money then you’re well on your way to handling many other issues in your marriage.

There are 2 main sources of money conflict in a marriage:

1. We don’t consider our spouse’s MONEY MINDSET.

Are you the SPENDER or the SAVER in your relationship?

SPENDERS see money as fun, freedom, and opportunity.

SAVERS see money as safety, security, and stability.

Can you see how these could clash in the middle if you don’t understand the other’s mindset and goals? Begin to see the benefit of the other person’s perspective and how that could be of great value in your marriage.

Personally, I often say that my wife makes me a lot more fun with money and I make her a lot more responsible with money. We both need each other.

2. We don’t have a PLAN on how to MANAGE our money TOGETHER.

We often believe that the answer lies in more income. Unfortunately, there’s a concept called “life creep” that describes what happens when we make more. Our lifestyle creeps up based upon our income level creeping up. So, while the brain surgeon makes more than the gas station attendant, oftentimes both struggle with managing finances in their homes and their marriages. The answer lies in having a PLAN. This is a really boring solution, but you and your spouse need to sit down before the month begins and create a PLAN for next month. Whether you’re earning $2,000 or $20,000 per month, if you don’t agree TOGETHER on a PLAN for where your money is going then the money will just seem to vanish.

Homework: Recognize who is a saver and who is a spender. Text or call your spouse right now and say, “Hey, I think we need to sit down and make a plan for our money next month. Will you do that with me?” You won’t do it perfectly the first time, but you need to begin somewhere.

As always, if you’re stuck then don’t hesitate to reach out to me personally. I help couples reconnect every day and get back on track to having a marriage they’re excited to go home to.

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60 Second Marriage Recap - Call a Cease Fire

By Daniel Crosby • February 21, 2025

17. Call a Cease Fire The problem with retaliation and revenge is that it becomes perpetual. My attack causes your counterattack causes my sneak attack causes you to launch your nukes and so on. This cycle only stops when one of two things happens. Either one of us destroys the other and the marriage or one of us decides to stop retaliating. I’m challenging you, the one hearing this, to be the one to choose to stop. Here are three ways to stop the ongoing attacks: 1. Put down your gun – This means taking a deep breath, lowering your voice, and sitting down if you’re standing or pacing. In essence, become less of a threat. 2. Surrender…sort of – Waving the white flag isn’t necessarily defeat if you think of it as living to fight another day. Say things like, “I’m tired of fighting.” “I need to stop talking about this for now.” “We can’t keep doing this.” (Refer back to our timeout topic earlier) 3. Begin peace talks – State what’s true like: “I know we love each other AND I also know that we totally disagree about this AND I know there’s a place we can come to an agreement on AND I know right now is not the time to keep going in circles AND I want to talk about it tonight when I get home around 6:30 if you’re willing.” Go Time: Which one of you is the more mature one that is going to choose to stop the cycle? Trick Question! No one wants to be the less mature one. If you’re both trying to be the mature one then this thing might just work out ok! Every day I help hurting frazzled people by walking with them as they get back on the path toward becoming who God created them to be. Shoot me an email if there’s anything I can do to help you or someone you know. daniel@danielcrosbycounseling.com

"The Greatest Generation" Book Review

By Daniel Crosby • February 19, 2025

“The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw ought to be required reading for every high school student. Part of the challenges we have in our time today is that we’ve had it too easy. Not true of The Greatest Generation. Brokaw interviews dozens of the generation that lived through The Great Depression and then went on to serve in World War II. As you read their stories, there is just something different about them. They had to grow up fast and they were accustomed to struggle, hard work, and gratitude. What the lacked was laziness, entitlement, and passing the buck to the next guy. I often marvel when I hear stories about that generation, men and women who lied about their ages so they could join the military early and go to Europe or the Pacific and fight for freedom. Their sense of duty was inspiring. Unfortunately, most of that generation is gone. There are less than 1% of World War II veterans still alive today. Brokaw’s book keeps their wisdom alive though as we can still learn from them. We have a lot to learn from them if we are to keep this great experiment called America still moving forward. If you want a good book that will wow you and maybe humble you a little then go pick up “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw.

Help Heal My Marriage - 17. Call a Cease Fire

By Daniel Crosby • February 17, 2025

17. Call a Cease Fire The problem with retaliation and revenge is that it becomes perpetual. My attack causes your counterattack causes my sneak attack causes you to launch your nukes and so on. This cycle only stops when one of two things happens. Either one of us destroys the other and the marriage or one of us decides to stop retaliating. I’m challenging you, the one hearing this, to be the one to choose to stop. Here are three ways to stop the ongoing attacks: 1. Put down your gun – This means taking a deep breath, lowering your voice, and sitting down if you’re standing or pacing. In essence, become less of a threat. 2. Surrender…sort of – Waving the white flag isn’t necessarily defeat if you think of it as living to fight another day. Say things like, “I’m tired of fighting.” “I need to stop talking about this for now.” “We can’t keep doing this.” (Refer back to our timeout topic earlier) 3. Begin peace talks – State what’s true like: “I know we love each other AND I also know that we totally disagree about this AND I know there’s a place we can come to an agreement on AND I know right now is not the time to keep going in circles AND I want to talk about it tonight when I get home around 6:30 if you’re willing.” Go Time: Which one of you is the more mature one that is going to choose to stop the cycle? Trick Question! No one wants to be the less mature one. If you’re both trying to be the mature one then this thing might just work out ok! Every day I help hurting frazzled people by walking with them as they get back on the path toward becoming who God created them to be. Shoot me an email if there’s anything I can do to help you or someone you know. daniel@danielcrosbycounseling.com