Newlywed Help With Steve Moore

Christian talk radio with Rob West

June weddings are something many a bride dreams about, but what happens in the months and years after the wedding? Well, the honeymoon’s over and, eventually, couples realize the importance of combining their finances, so first up today, Rob West welcomes a good friend, the former co-host of MoneyWise, Steve Moore to the program to discuss some pitfalls to avoid and recommendations to consider for newlyweds trying to get started on the right financial footing. Steve and Marcia have been married for some time now. They have two grown, married, children and several grandchildren so Steve addresses the topic having seen it from a lot of angles. He points out that just because the honeymoon is officially over after a week or two doesn’t mean that the spirit, the fun and the joy of the honeymoon has to stop. Still, a new marriage means new priorities that will require some attention. To avoid the problem of disagreeing about how to handle money, Steve recommends that couples kneel down and pray together about their finances. Ask God for wisdom, patience and understanding. He says it’s impossible to argue with your spouse when you’re praying together. It just takes the fight right out of you. Another problem is couples deciding NOT to combine their finances. This leads to trust issues and more: Combining bank accounts breeds trust, while having separate accounts can raise suspicion. It creates transparency; both spouses can see transactions in joint accounts. It’s a whole lot easier managing just one checking and savings account, as well as joint credit card accounts. Another problem area Rob and Steve warn about is DEBT. You just got married and are setting up house, so you spend money like crazy furnishing your new house or apartment. Or perhaps you’re considering buying a brand new car. Save all that for later when you can pay cash. Nothing kills the honeymoon feeling like debt. Other problems that come up a lot on MoneyWise affect people of all ages: Not having a spending plan; Not establishing an emergency fund; Not saving for retirement (compound interest works best when you start early!); Not saving for college for your children. Next, Rob answers listener questions including the following: --I moved money in my IRA out of the volatile stock market out of fear that I would lose money. How do I know when the time is right to move back into the market? (Rob always warns against trying to time the market and letting your emotions guide your investment decisions. He recommends working with a Kingdom Advisor.) --I’ve been advised to put $25k aside in an Emergency Fund. So far, I have about $15k saved in the fund. I also have $85k left on my mortgage and another $30k in credit card and student loan debt?Should I keep saving, or start paying extra on these debts? Is it better to sell your home on your own, or hire a professional realtor? Remember, you can call in to ask your questions 24/7 at (800) 525-7000 or email them to [email protected] Also, visit our website at MoneyWise.org where you can listen to past programs, connect with a MoneyWise Coach, and even download free, helpful resources like the free MoneyWise app. Like and follow us on Facebook at MoneyWise Media for the very latest discussion! And remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. Help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab on our website or in our app.