Customer Reviews

Love, Marriage & Money: Understanding and Achieving Financial Compatibility Before-And After-You Say "I Do"

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I can't think of a better gift for young people about to wed. In simple, everyday terms, the book lays out a host of investment methods and strategies that have worked for the married co-authors whose syndicated column I read religiously. Especially light and interesting are the authors' cute asides about their own backgrounds, differences when it comes to handling money and how they resolve those differences. Included is a glossary of reference sources I find myself referring to from time to time. So far, my wife and I have given this book to two newlywed couples.

I can't think of a better gift for young people about to wed. In simple, everyday terms, the book lays out a host of investment methods and strategies that have worked for the married co-authors whose syndicated column I read religiously. Especially light and interesting are the authors' cute asides about their own backgrounds, differences when it comes to handling money and how they resolve those differences. Included is a glossary of reference sources I find myself referring to from time to time. So far, my wife and I have given this book to two newlywed couples.

It is an interesting tome though I must confess that I read it after I walked the aisle, and after we bought our diamonds! Since it is US-centric in its information and guidelines, I would say to couples like us - in Europe - this provides a very handy thought structuring input provider. The guidelines are broad and with a little research one can use it for one's specific country context. The tone is friendly and the subject knowledge of the authors comes through as well as their effort to make it idiot-friendly (no offence to anyone!). I would recommend it and my husband is next in line to read my copy.

This book provides excellent financial advice for couples, tackling issues every committed relationship will face- whether or not to get a prenuptial agreement, the pros and cons of having joint vs. separate accounts, legal, financial and emotional considerations around changing vs. not changing one's name, essential financial preparedness before starting a family, and what to do when illness or death strikes, to name a few. This book is well-written, insightful and humorous. The authors' candidly share some of their own trials and triumphs as a couple around money, which is refreshing and real. In addition to nuts-and-bolts financial information the authors give great suggestions on discussions you need to have with your partner around money and how to go about having them.

A rewarding marriage is based on mutual goals, day-to-day communication, and a connection with each other. Love, Marriage & Money is a "boot camp" guide for couples to treat each other as equals in all decision making scenarios be it financial or otherwise.

Everything in the book is plain common sense. May be helpfull for people who are single and are considering marriage. Help those who haven't thought about the finance part of their relationsip. But established couples should have figured everything in the book already.

The best financial advice the authors could give you is to save your money and don't buy this book. Everything they write about is common sense. Each chapter is a redundant explanation of the fact that you should communicate with each other about money and financial issues. If you've bought this book, or are considering it you already know that. If you are looking for a book to give you some serious guidelines about how to handle your finances as a couple, this is not it.

It is clear that the authors are financial planners and have little or no professional understanding of intimate relationships. Their financial advise is very, very sound and valuable. The points they make about money and cost of weddings are important for couple preparing to wed to know. However... The advise on conflict management and couple problem solving leave much to be desired. Research indicates that MONEY is the number of issue of conflict in couples. The author's advise is summerized in a box--"Don't argue about money." That is like asking a week old baby,not to cry. Conflict is going to happen. What counts is how you handle it so that it does not undermind the love and commitment that you have for one another. Read it for the advise on money--not intimate relationships.

Nobody said marriage or relationships would always be heaven on earth. Finally, though, the authors have given us a decent set of navigational tools for dealing with money and relationships. There is no other book like this on the market.