Title: Personal Finance: Another Perspective
1Personal Finance Another Perspective
- Family 1 Money and Marriage
- Note Most of the ideas from this section are
from Gordon B. Hinckleys Proclamation on the
Family and Bernard E. Poduska, For Love and
Money How to share the same checkbook and still
love each other, Brooks/Cole Publishing, 1993.
The book is a great resource, but out of print.
It can be purchased at Amazon.com or ebay.com.
2Objectives
- A. Understand the key principles of money and
marriage - B. Understand why money may be an issue in
relationships - C. Understand a few recommendations for money
and marriage
3Personal Financial Plan
- Section XI. Money and Relationships
- If you fill out TT21 - Questions on Money and the
Family you will fulfill the requirements for
this section. It covers family and finances
including - How did your family handle their finances?
- How did they teach you financial responsibility?
- How did they prepare for missions and education?
- Action Plan
- How will you handle finances in your family?
- How will you teach your children finance?
- How will you save for your childrens education
and missions?
4Ten Key Principles of Marriage and Money
- Are there principles of marriage and money that
can help us to be happier and wiser stewards over
our blessings? - Yes
- Are there only ten?
- No
- But these will at least give you something to
think about as you ponder this topic - You will likely have many more than ten principles
5Key Principles of Marriage and Money (continued)
- 1. The family is ordained of God
- From the Proclamation on the Family, it states
- The family is ordained of God. Marriage between
man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.
Children are entitled to birth within the bonds
of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a
mother who honor marital vows with complete
fidelity. (Proclamation on the Family, 1995) - President Hinckley said
- We must work at our responsibility as parents as
if everything in life counted on it, because in
fact everything in life does. If we fail in our
home, we fail in our lives. No man is truly
successful who has failed in his home. (Each a
Better Person, Ensign, Nov. 2002, 99.)
6Principles of Marriage and Money (continued)
- 2. Your spouse has priority
- President David O. McKay said
- Let me assure you, Brethren, that some day you
will have a personal priesthood interview with
the Savior, Himself. . . I will tell you the
order in which He will ask you to account for
your earthly responsibilities. First, He will
request an accountability report about your
relationship with your wife. Have you actively
been engaged in making her happy and ensuring
that her needs have been met as an individual?
From Notes of Fred A. Baker, Managing Director,
Department of Physical Facilities, as quoted by
Robert D. Hales, BYU Devotional, 15 March 1988.
7Principles of Marriage and Money (continued)
- 3. Marriage partners are equal
- From the Proclamation on the Family, it states
- By divine design, fathers are to preside over
their families in love and righteousness and are
responsible to provide the necessities of life
and protection for their families. Mothers are
primarily responsible for the nurture of their
children. In these sacred responsibilities,
fathers and mothers are obligated to help one
another as equal partners. (Proclamation on the
Family, 1995) - Equal partners means both have equal
responsibility and equal say in financial matters
8Principles of Marriage and Money (continued)
- Control of money by one spouse as a source of
power, or failure to be a part of financial
management are both inappropriate. Elder Marvin
J. Ashton wrote - Management of family finances should be mutual
between husband and wife in an attitude of
openness and trust. Control of the money by one
spouse as a source of power and authority causes
inequality in the marriage and is inappropriate.
Conversely, if a marriage partner voluntarily
removes himself or herself entirely from family
financial management, that is an abdication of
necessary responsibility. (Marvin J. Ashton,
Guide to Family Finance, Liahona, Apr. 2000, 42)
9Principles of Marriage and Money (continued)
- 4. Marriage partners should seek the best
interests of the family - From the LDS Family Relations manual it states
- When a husband and wife work together to manage
their finances, they become unified in an
important effort to set their home in order.
Some of the most serious problems in marriage
arise when financial resources are not managed
carefully and in the best interest of the family.
(LDS Church, Marriage and Family Relations
Instructors Manual, A Strengthening Marriages,
8 Managing Family Finances, Purpose, 2000, 35.) - We should follow the example of Christ. Nephi
said - He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit
of the world for he loveth the world. (2 Nephi
2624)
10Principles of Marriage and Money (continued)
- 5. Financial problems are usually behavioral
problems, not money problems - The Lord shared a parable in which explained
- For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling
into a far country. . . and delivered unto them
his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to
another two, and to another one But he that had
received one talent went and digged in the
earth, and hid his lords money. (Matt 2514-18) - All three had the same opportunity. It wasnt
money, but the use of that money that made the
difference. The Lord expects more from us!
11Principles of Marriage and Money (continued)
- 6. Change is necessary
- If you always do what you have done, you will
always get what you have always got! - For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also
reap. (Galatians 67 ) - If you
- Continue to spend instead of save, you will
continue living from paycheck to paycheck. - Continue to borrow to support a lifestyle, you
will continue to get further and further into
debt - Continue to save and invest wisely, you will
likely continue to achieve your goals
12Principles of Marriage and Money (continued)
- 7. Money spent on things you value leads to
satisfaction and accomplishment. - In Matthew 624, 31-33 it states
- No man can serve two masters for either he will
hate the one, and love the other or else he will
hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot
serve God and mammon. . . But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all
these things shall be added unto you. - If you know your goals, you will spend your money
on those things that you value. If you do not,
you will scatter your resources (and your time)
trying to determine what is important to you.
13Principles of Marriage and Money (continued)
- 8. Financial freedom is more the result of
decreased spending than increased income - In Psalms 2120 it states There is treasure to
be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise
but a foolish man spendeth it up. - There is a difference between financial
independence and financial freedom - Financial independence is the acquisition of
enough wealth to enable you to sustain a high
standard of living without further effort - Financial freedom is having enough discretionary
income to enable you to make the financial
choices that are important to you
14Principles of Marriage and Money (continued)
- 9. Spouses are to leave their parents and become
one - Therefore shall a man leave his father and his
mother, and shall cleave unto his wife and they
shall be one flesh. (Genesis 224) - Spouses are to leave the things their parents
did, including the things their parents did
incorrectly - They are to work together to become one one in
purpose, one in unity, and one in goals
15Principles of Marriage and Money (continued)
- 10. The best things in life are free
- Nothing is more important than eternal life
- Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold,
the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you,
and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that
hath eternal life is rich (DC 67, 117). - The things which are truly the most important to
us, and that will make a difference in our lives
are not those things which cost money - They are those things which bring us closer
together as families and communities, both
temporally and spiritually.
16Summary of the 10 Key Principles of Marriage and
Money
- 1. The family is ordained of God
- 2. No one or nothing is more important than your
spouse - 3. Partners are equal
- 4. Partners should seek the best interests of
the family - 5. Financial problems are usually behavioral
problems, not money problems
17Principles of Marriage and Money (continued)
- 6. Change is necessary.
- 7. Money spent on things you value leads to
satisfaction and accomplishment - 8. Financial freedom is more the result of
decreased spending than increased income - 9. Spouses are to leave their parents and become
one. - 10. The best things in life are free
18Questions
- Any questions on the 10 key principles of
Marriage and Money?
19B. Understand Why Money May be an Issue in
Marriage
- Elder James E. Faust commented
- Money itself seems neither to make a couple
happy, nor the lack of it, necessarily, to make
them unhappy, but money is often a symbol of
selfishness. (James E. Faust, The Enriching of
Marriage, Ensign, Nov. 1977, 9.) - To minimize money problems in marriage, we should
learn the potential problem areas and know how to
eliminate them - What are the potential problem areas in marriage?
20Why Money May be an Issue (continued)
- In a survey conducted by Worth magazine
- Couples admitted to fighting about money more
than anything else. - A staggering 57 of those surveyed agreed with
the statement, In every marriage, money
eventually becomes the most important concern.
(Eric Tyson, Personal Finance for Dummies, IDG
Books Worldwide, 2000. p. 10) - Why do you think this is the case?
- What do you think are the major reasons money is
such an issue in marriage and relationships?
21Lack of Financial Knowledge
- Why the lack of knowledge regarding personal
finance? - Ignorance
- They truly dont know about personal finance
- Carelessness
- They know, but dont want to put it into practice
- Compulsiveness
- They know, but cant discipline their spending
- Pride
- They know but dont do, because how they look to
others is more important than how they look to God
22Lack of Knowledge (continued)
- What can be done?
- Ignorance
- Learn about finance. Finish this series. Make
learning a lifelong process. - Write out your personal and family goals, and
complete your personal and financial plan - Carelessness
- Become exact in all you do
- Keep good records and keep learning
- Get and stay on a budget
- Be accountable for your spending
23Lack of Knowledge (continued)
- Compulsiveness
- Learn to live a disciplined life
- Ask Does this action get me closer to or farther
from my personal / family goals? - If it brings you closer, do it.
- Pride
- Put God first in your lives
- Ask Does this action bring me closer to God
and obedience to His commandments? - If it doesnt, dont do it.
242. Lack of Communication
- Why is communication between spouses so critical?
- Communication is a sign of respect between
spouses - Be willing to understand, discuss, and reconcile
attitudes early in a relationship - Resolve misunderstandings before they escalate
- Implement family processes that promote trust and
mutual discussion
25Lack of Communication (continued)
- What can be done?
- Develop a regular communication plan (weekly,
monthly, quarterly, annually) - Ideally, a weekly finance/inventory meeting where
you discuss finances, budget, investments, etc.
should be one of your most important meetings
(after church meetings, FHE, temple attendance
and weekly dates)
26 Differences in Financial Personality Types and
Family Baggage
- How have family rules and personalities shaped
your attitudes and beliefs about finances? - Think how you were brought up
- Your spouse was likely brought up differently
27Financial Personality Types (continued)
- Miser
- Dad/mom pays cash for everything
- Mom/dad pays the bills and kept the books
- The family never talks about money
- The family never knows where they are financially
- Spender
- Dad/moms motto is shop til you drop
- Mom/dad always feel that things will work out
- There is no budgeting or planning for major
purchases, and no planning for the future - If I cant take it with me, then Im not going!
28Financial Personality Types (continued)
- Unequally Yoked
- Mom/dad only gives spouse a little money each
weekspouse has to ask whenever they want
anything else - Mom/dad has the final saythe purse is power
- Mom and dad are not equal partners
- Selfish Provider
- Dad/mom said since they earned the money, they
would decide where the money went - Mom/dad has to ask when they need money
- There are no goals, no budget, or plan for large
purchases, future retirement, or education
29Financial Personality Types (continued)
- Sleeper
- Disasters and crisis happen to others, not us.
- We pay tithing--its like guaranteed insurance. .
. - We dont have to plan, because things always work
out - The Wise Steward
- We pay the Lord first, and ourselves second
- We save part of everything we earn
- We share basic financial information as a family
- We are wise stewards over all we have
30Financial Personality Types (continued)
- What can be done?
- Recognize that you and your spouse grew up
differently - Accept it! Work it out together
- While you cannot control how you were brought up,
you can control how you work together - Work together as equal Christlike partners
- Work through communication and the development of
common goals - Know what you both want to accomplish in life,
then work toward those goals
31Financial Personality Types (continued)
- Elder Robert D. Hales said
- If the example we have received from our parents
was not good, it is our responsibility to break
the cycle. Each person can learn a better way
and in so doing bless the lives of family members
now and teach correct traditions for the
generations that follow (How Will Our Children
Remember Us? Ensign, Nov. 1993, p. 10).
324. Lack of Shared Goals
- Why does the lack of shared goals result in so
many problems in marriages? - Marriage
- Family
- Friends
- Service
- Missions
- Worthy causes
33Lack of Shared Goals (continued)
- What can be done?
- Individually write down your personals goals
- Then as a couple, discuss each others goals with
the goal solely to understand - You do not evaluate or criticize their goals
- As a couple, write your Family Financial Plan
incorporating both family and personal goals
together - Develop family goals, then prioritize your family
goals - Work toward what you think are your most
important goals
34Lack of Shared Goals (continued)
- Then write your other goals
- Starting a family
- Educating your children, helping them during
school, and helping them during and after
college - Charitable giving
- Owning a business
- Saving for a big purchase (a car, a trip to
China, etc). - Recreation and vacations
35Lack of Shared Goals (continued)
- Remember to always keep your priorities in order
- Pay the Lord firstan honest tithing and generous
offerings - Pay yourself second and invest your money wisely.
Live on a budget and get and stay out of debt - Prepare for emergencies, with cash reserves, food
storage, and adequate insurance - Save for retirement, and then education and
missions for your children - Allocate funds wisely for other personal and
financial goals
365. Lack of Gospel Maturity
- Why do problems arise when we do not live our
lives consistent with the way we know we should
live? - As we study, ponder, pray, and live the gospel,
we live worthy of the influence of the Holy
Ghost. We then can have strength and inspiration
to understand where we are, to recognize our
weaknesses, and to know what we need to do - Then, with that knowledge, we can work so that
our weaknesses can be made strengths with Gods
help (Ether 1227).
37Gospel Maturity (continued)
- Gospel maturity is doing those things necessary
to bring us back to our Heavenly Father. King
Benjamin gave us the method for becoming mature
in the gospel - For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has
been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever
and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of
the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man
and becometh a saint through the atonement of
Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child,
submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love,
willing to submit to all things which the Lord
seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child
doth submit to his father (Mosiah 319).
38Reasons Money may be an Issue (continued)
- What can be done?
- Remember your ultimate goal, which is exaltation
with your spouse - Behold he that hath eternal life is rich
(DC67) - Remember your ultimate interview with the Savior.
- Work on those things that will be asked first
- Remember your stewardship over your blessings
- You will have to give an accounting
- Remember to choose wisely
- For you are His steward and are accountable for
your choices
39C. Recommendations for Money and Marriage
- Following are a few ideas which have been helpful
in my marriage - Please note that I am not a family therapist or
expert in family matters. I just have seven
kids, two sons-in-law, 1.5 grandchildren and am
still married - I am only a teacher with a few ideas (and ideas
can be very dangerous!!!)
40Recommendations (continued)
- 1. Delegate Action, but Share Responsibility
- It's not unusual for one spouse to play the
primary role in managing the finances, but it is
critical that both are involved and aware - Make sure both are involved
- If one has more knowledge, it is their
responsibility to teach the other - Switch responsibilities each year or so
- Be certain you can clearly articulate all assets
and liabilities and locate the necessary back-up
documentation. - Hide no spending from each other
- Hide no assets or liabilities from each other
41Recommendations (continued)
- While some decisions may be delegated, major
decisions must be agreed on beforehand - Set a limit over which purchases must be
discussed, i.e. 20, except groceries - This will increase as your assets increase
- Remember that managing the various dimensions of
your partnership is a shared mutual
responsibility - If both are not on the same page financially,
help each other learn about financial
responsibility - Teach your spouse, because once you are gone,
your spouse will have to do the work
42Recommendations (continued)
- 2. Develop family goals as a couple
- Develop and work on specific family goals
- Agree on and write down your family goals
- Saving should be a weekly activity
- Opinions should be discussed freely and openly
without fear of ridicule. - We must agree to disagree agreeably
- If you have concerns about your partner's
spending, financial decisions or your delegated
role in managing money, make sure you express
those thoughts and opinions in a Christ-like
manner - Memorize and live DC 121 34-46.
43Recommendations (continued)
- 3. Separate real" from imagined problems
- Too often arguments over money are about things
entirely different. Separate out the real from
the imagined problems - Finances and the things you "own" are very
tangible assets, and hence it is easy to project
emotional issues onto these money matters. - Think carefully before discussing these concerns
- Ensure there isn't a larger problem at the core
- Set up an established time when you can discuss
spending and financial issues - Avoid discussing finances at a time or place that
may have or cause pre-existing stress
44Recommendations (continued)
- 4. Keep the romance alive
- Elder L. Tom Perry counseled
- Perhaps it would also be appropriate to have a
date with our wives each week, to remind us of
the great blessing they are in our lives (L. Tom
Perry, Family Traditions, Ensign, May 1990,
19). - I further encourage time alone each quarter and
each year with only your spouse (without the
kids) - After all, when the kids are grown, there will
still be the two of you
45Questions
- Any questions on why money may be an issue in
relationships, and what you can do to minimize
those issues?
46Review of Objectives
- A. Do you understand the key principles of money
and marriage? - B. Do you understand why money may be an issue in
Marriage? - C. Do you understand a few recommendations on
Money and Marriage?
47Case Study 1
- I received the following email. What problems do
you see and what recommendations would you make? - I would be interested in a unit on the emotional
component of money, and how to avoid contention
when two people have opposite ideas of how money
is to be managed. Sometimes, the pathway of
applying correct principles leads right to the
doorway of contention. - For example one spouse believes in your advice
to save a small amount of money. The other
spouse refuses to allow that and insists on
spending it. If the spender is the husband and
the saver is the wife, how do you reconcile those
positions while avoiding contention?
48Case Study 2
- How does your answer change with this second
email? A. What are the problems? B. How would
you respond? - How does the more sophisticated money manager
spouse, say the wife, remain patient with the
more primitive money manager, say the husband,
when real financial harm or financial chaos is
being created? How can that be tolerated in
order to avoid contention? Which is the higher
priority avoiding contention or working to stop
the financial hemorrhaging? - And the second issue involves the difference in
risk tolerances of husbands' and wives, i.e., the
husband has a particular talent and has started
his own business, the wife wants a steady
paycheck. If the pros and cons are of equal
weight in both scenarios, doesnt the husbands
idea win by default if he is the wage earner?
49Case Study 2 (continued)
- Another point is that the presentation seemed to
assume that the viewers came from LDS families
I for one am a convert, and did not grow up with
parents who saved for a mission or paid tithing.
In fact, I have to be extremely careful about my
tithe paying as it is an extremely sore subject
for my non-member family who disapproves of the
practice. - Again yet another scenario in which it is the
very act of trying to obey correct principles
leads to contention and opposition within the
family. You have my permission to use my
questions and concerns. - Signed
50Case Study 2 Answers
- A. Following are a few problems
- The underline portion are the principles while
the statements are the facts from the email - Marriage partners are equal. It doesnt seem so
from this email. It appears that the writer is
appealing to an outside authority to support what
they think is correct. It appears communication
may have broken down between spouses - Control of money as power. It appears there is a
type of money control question heremoney is
power. This money as power is inappropriate
for equal partners
51Case Study 2 Answers (continued)
- Best interests. It appears that both may not be
seeking the best interests of the family but
may be trying to further their own best
interests. Family interests must be put first - Behavioral problems. This appears to me to be,
at least in part, a behavioral issue and not a
finance issue. It seems communication is a major
concern here, and finances are the representation
of that concern - Change. It seems from the reading that both
assume an unwillingness or an unlikely ability to
change, both individually and as a couple. We
can change ourselves, but not our spouses. They
must change themselves
52Case Study 2 Answers (continued)
- Respect. From the choice of adjectives I sense a
loss of respect sophisticated versus primitive,
saving versus spending, etc. Perhaps this is to
make a point but it causes concerns - Leave parents. It seems like one spouse has not
left their parents. Financial decisions are
between husband and wife, not between spouses and
parents. Therefore shall a man (and woman)
leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave
unto his wife (Genesis 224)
53Case Study 2 Answers (continued)
- B. Following are a few recommendations that may
be helpful for this couple - Build the relationship. Assume both spouses are
trying to do what is best, and that both are
trying. Realize that there may be differences of
opinion, and that is OK. They should first work
to understand, and then seek to be understood - Develop individual and family goals. There
appears to be a difference as to the goals of the
couple. They should work together to come up
with shared individual and family goals, and then
work toward these goals
54Case Study 2 Answers (continued)
- Build the financial knowledge of the couple and
family. One spouse knows more. That is
expected. Perhaps that spouse could recommend
some reading on the importance of becoming
financially self-reliant. There are a number of
good articles by the leaders which can help.
They could also do some Family Home Evening
lessons on personal finance - Resolve family differences. There appears to be
a difference in how each was brought up and how
they relate to their families. While they cannot
control how they were brought up, they can decide
how they will do things in their family. And
they should do it in the best interests of
their family
55Case Study 2 Answers (continued)
- Improve communication and problem-solving skills.
There seems to be concerns in this area. They
need to make finances a part of their weekly
companionship interview where they discuss
finances, children, scheduling, goals, etc. - Strengthen testimonies. Finally, they should
work to strengthen their testimonies and live
according to the gospel of Jesus Christ. They
need to work to bring Heavenly Father into the
relationship through prayer, scripture study,
church attendance, etc. When they are doing what
God would have them do, they can have His help.
Since families are ordained of God, God will help
them resolve their differences and become more
like Him
56Case Study 3
- Data
- Bill, your best friend and BYU graduate, just got
engaged to Emily. He knows you have taken this
class on personal finance as you have shared many
things with him in the past. He is concerned as
in his parents marriage, money was a major and
divisive issue. He would like to try and
minimize these issues in his upcoming marriage.
He asks if he and Emily can meet with you to
discuss what you consider the most pressing
issues about money in marriage. - Application
- What would tell Bill and Emily are the most
pressing issues in money and marriage? What
other advice would you give them?
57Case 3 Answers
- Following are a few thoughts that might be
helpful. Five common problems discussed
regarding money and marriage are - 1. Lack of financial knowledge
- Financial knowledge is important to make good
decisions. Both Bill and Emily should realize
that financial knowledge can be acquired - They must be willing to spend the time learning
about key financial topics - In addition, they must realize that financial
knowledge by itself is insufficient - Both Bill and Emily must be willing to act on
that knowledge to be wiser financial stewards
58Case 3 Answers (continued)
- 2. Lack of communication
- Relationships require communication to stay
healthy - Communication on financial matters is one part of
that healthy communication - Bill and Emily need to develop processes to
ensure time to communicate effectively in all
areas of their lives, including financial areas - They should set aside time each week to discuss
financial matters in an atmosphere of love and
concern - In order for this marriage to succeed
financially, both must be party to and feel they
contribute to family financial decisions
59Case 3 Answers (continued)
- 3. Differences in financial personality types
and family baggage - Bill and Emily were both brought up differently
in their families, and this includes how they
learned to handle financial matters - While they cannot change how they were brought
up, they can decide how they want to handle
financial matters in their marriage - They set the framework for their marriage
- They can change how they work together
- They can have a goal to be equal financial
partners and better stewards over the blessings
they have and will receive
60Case 3 Answers (continued)
- 4. Lack of shared financial goals
- It is critical that both Bill and Emily be
working toward the same general family and family
financial goals - They should set those goals together as spouses
and then work on them together - They should write them down
- They should set a time each year that they will
review their family goals and set new goals - This should be an on-going processthey will
achieve what they set their goals to achieve
61Case 3 Answers (continued)
- 5. Lack of gospel maturity
- Gospel maturity is not just knowing what you
should do, but doing it as well. - Both Bill and Emily need to be committed to the
relationship - They need to put each other, and the Lord first
in their lives - Help them realize that the more willing they are
to do what needs to be done in their
relationships and family, the better the marriage
will be and the more likely they will be able to
achieve their family goals - Remember their most important being to return
with their family to Heavenly Fathers presence