Marriage and Money...

Larry Burkett, noted financial author, says, "Money is either the best or the worst area of communication in our marriages." After years as a financial counselor and working with marriage counselors, I know that money and money fights are the #1 cause of divorce, not to mention the thing we fight about the most.
I suppose this stands to reason...our finances impact (whether we like it or not) almost every aspect of our lives so when married couples aren't united about their money it affects almost everything.
Unity in marriage is essential for success, so whether in crisis or health, it is important to work out money issues TOGETHER!
Step #1 - Sit down at the table TOGETHER!
Step #2 - Turn off the TV
Step #3 - Make a list of your JOINT goals for finances (short and long term)
Step #4 - Work TOGETHER to achieve those goals.
Step #5 - Enjoy a UNITY in your marriage that you may never have experienced before.

Where Rubber and Road meet...

So the time has come for us to look into a new vehicle. So the question is...what to buy? or Lease? My feelings about this have certainly changed. I have come to realise that the 'opportunity cost' of a new car is very high. That is, what one has to give up to have the new car. As an example, there is a 2007 Pontiac Torrent that has a monthly payment of $510 (incl. taxes) and the term is 48 months. So, over the course of the lease the driver pays just less than $24, 500, and they have....nothing!!! If you want to buy the vehicle after the lease, the cost is another $12,000, bringing the cost of this vehicle to $36,500.00 That same 4 year old vehicle used can be picked up for about $10,000. WOW...that lease sure is expensive!