For Richer or Poorer
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Are you having problems in your marriage with money? Then watch this segment on Nightline where the Hansen family found the help they needed. Are you willing for me to read your question on ABC NEWS NOW next week? If so, then post your questions here and if we select your question to read on air, we'll send you a copy of my new upcoming book, "The Little Book of Big Savings" (Waterbrook, 2009).
Ellie Kay
America's Family Financial Expert (R)
www.elliekay.com
13 comments:
I saw this on TV. So cool! Great information too!
As money seems to get tighter these days, I keep hearing that people are dropping their health insurance.
1. Is this a wise choice?
2. Where can we find deals on health insurance?
Karen Power
Keller, TX
My husband and I want to get out of debt, but we each have a different idea as to how to go about achieving this. Any advice on how to get on the "same page"?
B Jones
Vienna, WV
Dear Assistant to Ellie Kay
Here is my question. What should a couple do if one spouse wants to tithe and give 10% of the income to the church and the other spouse is reluctant? The question could be what if he wants to buy…and she wants to spend on…(the family priorities-kids’ clothes and supplies for school) and he wants to go to the big rollercoaster park.
Chandra
Palmyra, VA
After all your experiences with counseling couples, can you say that your financial advice has help to save marriages?
If yes, what are the 3 top things that helped those couples?
Here's my question-if one spouse make more than the other, how can the budget be equalized?
I have been married to a 54 yr. old man who was single until we married.He was used to spending money on what he wanted when he wanted. Despite me showing him that his credit card debt of over $15,000 wouldn't be paid off until 20 yrs from now his response , as always was," Your last shirt has no pockets," meaning he doesn't care if he ever pays off his debts-he's going to die happy-spending money as he wishes.His money bills , are now 1000 dollars greater than what he makes per month.Because of this I pay for alot and we can't afford to take vacations or do special things.
Dear Ellie Kay,
I saw your advice to the married couple who found it difficult to communicate about spending. My question concerns couples who are dating, engaged or cohabitating: Do you have any suggestions or tips for how couples can learn discover, understand or achieve common ground about attitudes about money--before marriage--without sacrificing romance, or without seeming pushy?
Or
How do couples looking for a long-term relationship spot signs that [their] attitudes about money may clash, and how can they deal with those differences.
Or
What are some of the danger signs that someone may have poorly developred or unrealistic attitudes about money? ...that may lead to serious marital problems later on? And how can they be educated or re-programmed without the other partner appearing to try to 'change' them?
FYI - I handn't thought of this before writing the above question(s), but meeting with a mediator might be a beginning to a solution, in a manner similar to the way people sometimes choose to have sessions with a marriage counselor. (A marriage councelor might even suggest or refer to a mediator.) Mediation is less acrimoious because it's nonjudgemental, doesn't come from any pre-set standards and allows the parties or participants to work together to identify the problem then work toward mutually acceptable solutions.
Linda
Hi and thanks for all your questions! Watch ABC NEWS Now, "Good Money" on Tues, Aug 4th, at 4:00 PM (Eastern Time) to see which questions I answer from this list!
Ellie Kay
As many others out there, our house value has gone down over the past year and we feel financially strapped. We are currently debating moving. Given that our house value has gone down, when we sell we should "break even" on the sale not leaving us with the 20% down payment for another house. With foreclossure rates so high and the recent changes in the government policies, will we have to pay PMI when we make our purchase or is that a thing of the past? Please advise. Christie D, Geneva, IL
How do you help a couple when one of them doesn't seem to want to change (by their actions)? (They say they want things to be different with their finances but they still keep overspending or won't cut expenses.)
How do you keep them accountable for the long haul (after the first month or two)?
Is there ever a situation when the income is just not enough to meet the needs of a family? Or can you always help them figure out a way to live within their means?
Dave & Debi
Red Bluff, CA
Hello,
Our 10 year old daughter was seriously injured in an accident at a school sponsored carnival this year. She needed surgery,and a week in the hospital followed by two months confined to a wheelchair. Another surgery is planned for next summer. She is walking and recovering fine so far, but still has many restrictions as far as her normal activities. It's been a very difficult time for all of us both financially and emotionally.
We have just filed a lawsuit to recover medical expenses and damages because her injuries were totally due to negligence by the amusement ride's owner/operator (according to both eye witnesses and the police report). We did not file a suit against the school where it was held since they were not in charge of the inflatables. If his insurance proves insufficient, the school may also be named at that point. Nevertheless, it won't be settled for a year or so, after her next surgery when more will be known on her prognosis and final outcome.
My question is how do we structure her settlement (which we do expect to win) to best provide for her future? Some money will go straight to pay medical bills we haven't been able to pay on our own. But any money left that she gets for all the pain and suffering she endured....what do we do with it? Put it in savings for her college years? How? Normal CD's or savings or what is best?
We usually live paycheck to paycheck and have little experience or knowledge of investing so would welcome any advice!
Thanks for your input!
Terri
Tucson, Arizona
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