Is money really the root of all evil? Maybe not, but it definitely can have some harsh ramifications if not utilized properly in the realm of the relationship. Financial issues are a number one cause of divorce and marital problems. However, this is really an
introduction dating issue and should be dealt with in the initial stages of the dating seeking relationship.
For example, when a man asks a woman out on a date, he should pay for the dinner or movie or whatever activity is done on the date. He should also pay for the next few dates as well. Once you are in a steady relationship, then the woman can pay for some of the dates if she wants to; it would be a nice break for her boyfriend. Once you're a couple, you need to be thinking like a couple and working together in regard to financial issues. This carries even further into the marriage relationship. Now that you're an official couple, you should join your bank accounts into one and work together on your finances. Of course, you can have separate accounts for your own piggy bank stashes if you want to and both agree on it, but your main income should be deposited into one bank account.
Now, back to the
introduction dating aspect of finances. When a man does not pay for the initial dates in the blossoming relationship or if he wants to go Dutch and have them both pay their own way on the dates, it's not a good sign for the future of the relationship. If further down the road in the relationship, the woman does not want to contribute to any part of the finances for their dates and outings that also does not bode well for the future of the relationship. It shows that she has no qualms about mooching off of her boyfriend. A relationship is about give and take and the compromising that makes it flow smoothly and if you're not working together, you're going to have problems.
Do you need to talk about finances in your
dating seeking relationship? Yes, you should, but those conversations don't have to take place right away; they shouldn't really because the natural rule of thumb, as mentioned above, is that the man takes care of the expenses in the beginning. The heavy financial talks don't need to take place until you're in a committed relationship. Now, if the man is not taking responsibility for the expenses in the beginning of the relationship, there comes a point when the woman needs to speak up or else she will get frustrated and not be very happy in the relationship.
Discussing finances definitely is a sensitive issue and should be handled accordingly. You need to have a clear head when you discuss this topic and don't allow an argument to ensue. Fighting over finances is not worth the destruction that will cause. If there is tension then walk away from the subject and pursue the discussion further when you are both able to converse calmly about it. Should family and friends interfere in your relationship with regard to your finances? The answer to that question is absolutely not. Over involvement from family and friends in regard to your finances is a root cause of further problems in your relationship. You and your partner are a couple and need to function as such.