The Golden Rules of Marriage

We've interviewed hundreds of Golden Rules couples married 50 years or more and most of them discuss the importance of finances in the success of their marriage. I don't think a single couple ever said that money was the key to happiness, but at the same time, most of them talk about the "other' form of cheating - money. Couples go into marriage knowing that being faithful is incredibly important. It is one of the basis for trust in a marriage. But what couples don't discuss as much, is faithfulness about money. Do you do things with your joint finances that your spouse would not approve of? Do you hide what you spend money on? Are you secretive?

The other thing I learned from the couples married 50 years or more, is have the conversations about financial issues before you get married. Discuss how you both feel about saving vs. spending? Paying for things with cash vs. credit? These are big issues in a marriage. 

Check out the article at CNN.com titled "Honey, I cheated with your checkbook."