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Money and Marriage: A Complete Guide for Engaged and Newly Married Couples
For richer or poorer . . .
Newlywed couples quickly discover that money is a big deal in their new lives together. Conversations about money can all too easily turn into arguments about spending habits, credit card debt, and when to make major purchases. Getting on the same page financially is essential; research has shown that the more frequently a couple fights about finances, the more likely they are to divorce.
So how do you as an engaged or newly married couple work as a team when dealing with money? Financial expert Matt Bell shows you the way. This book will help you make the most of each other’s financial strengths, teaching you how to work together to build a solid financial future. Through a ten-step action plan, you’ll learn how to prioritize goals, get out of debt, build savings, invest wisely, buy a house, and much more—all in a way that minimizes stress and maximizes unity. With this essential guide, you’ll avoid common pitfalls and place yourselves on the path to financial success.
Newlywed couples quickly discover that money is a big deal in their new lives together. Conversations about money can all too easily turn into arguments about spending habits, credit card debt, and when to make major purchases. Getting on the same page financially is essential; research has shown that the more frequently a couple fights about finances, the more likely they are to divorce.
So how do you as an engaged or newly married couple work as a team when dealing with money? Financial expert Matt Bell shows you the way. This book will help you make the most of each other’s financial strengths, teaching you how to work together to build a solid financial future. Through a ten-step action plan, you’ll learn how to prioritize goals, get out of debt, build savings, invest wisely, buy a house, and much more—all in a way that minimizes stress and maximizes unity. With this essential guide, you’ll avoid common pitfalls and place yourselves on the path to financial success.
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2011
12 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Matt Bell
11 books4 followersMatt Bell is Managing Editor at Sound Mind Investing, a Christian company that helps people invest well and grow as stewards of God’s resources. Bell is the author of five personal finance books and the Matt About Money blog. He has been interviewed by U.S. News & World Report, WGN-TV, Chris Fabry Live, MoneyWise Live, and many other outlets. Bell, who earned a master’s degree from DePaul University, offers video training on biblical money management through Right Now Media.
He has spoken at churches, universities, and conferences throughout the U.S. His unintentional reenactment of the Bible’s parable of the prodigal son completely changed his life, opened his eyes to a whole new way of managing money, and gave him a passion to help others manage money well. Matt lives with his wife, Jude, and their three children near Louisville.
He has spoken at churches, universities, and conferences throughout the U.S. His unintentional reenactment of the Bible’s parable of the prodigal son completely changed his life, opened his eyes to a whole new way of managing money, and gave him a passion to help others manage money well. Matt lives with his wife, Jude, and their three children near Louisville.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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July 27, 2024So although I am not newly engaged or married (hard to believe it’ll be 6 years for me and hubby in just a few months) I really enjoyed this book! I actually really wish we had both read it and applied it when we first got married. Matt has a ton of really good, common sense applications and practices that any couple and marriage would greatly benefit from. I was actually able to see how we’ve been going about the order of handling our money a bit backwards in some areas and because of that book plan on fixing that and using his recommended order, it makes much more sense! This book was very useful and I think it would be great for any couple, newly engaged or married for awhile!
February 19, 2017
Money and Marriage: these two words go together for better or worse. Now as ever, more marriages fall apart over money than for almost any other reason. Even for those Christian couples who are determined to not even think about divorce, money adds an incredible amount of stress and pressure onto their new life together.
My experience is similar. We started out our marriage with a debt problem that got worse, and many of our trials have been related to financial pressures. By God's grace, we have grown through the years and have not allowed money to drive us apart. Today we are financially stable, but looking back, I believe we would have been better off had we read a resource like this new book by Matt Bell, "Money and Marriage: A Complete Guide for Engaged and Newly Married Couples" published by NavPress.
Bell's book is packed full of wise advice and practical tips, but it is so much more than just a self-help book. Systematically, step by step, Matt Bell explains how to think about finances and your new life together as a married couple. He gives a crash course on budgeting, frugality, credit, debt, housing, insurance and more. His book is flexible enough to be useful in a variety of ways as he advocates an approach to money more than any one strategy. Sprinkled throughout the book are Scripture verses, teaching applicable for Christians, and personal anecdotes. It is clear that this is a Christian money book, especially when the book concludes with the importance of finding a life purpose that fits in with God's purposes for your life.
This book was easy to read and chuck full of useful pointers and resources for more study (chief among them being Matt's personal blog, MattaboutMoney.com). I found the Scripture quotations and other quotations interesting and appropriate. Occasionally they were downright funny, providing comedic relief from the serious topic of conversation. For instance, Matt shares Mark Twains' important insight about investing: "October: This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August, and February." Humor aside, the book offers sound (not trendy) advice and covers a wide variety of situations, such as when a prenuptial agreement may or may not make sense, even for a Christian.
Newly weds, engaged couples, and those who are still young marrieds will benefit most from the book, but everyone will find some sound financial advice. The "take action" steps, numerous charts, and the personal stories help the reader apply the principles to their own situation. If you know of any young couples, consider giving them a copy of this book. And those of you who haven't hit middle age yet, you really need to get this book. I highly recommend it.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by NavPress for review as part of the Lit-Fuse Publicity Blog Tour. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
My experience is similar. We started out our marriage with a debt problem that got worse, and many of our trials have been related to financial pressures. By God's grace, we have grown through the years and have not allowed money to drive us apart. Today we are financially stable, but looking back, I believe we would have been better off had we read a resource like this new book by Matt Bell, "Money and Marriage: A Complete Guide for Engaged and Newly Married Couples" published by NavPress.
Bell's book is packed full of wise advice and practical tips, but it is so much more than just a self-help book. Systematically, step by step, Matt Bell explains how to think about finances and your new life together as a married couple. He gives a crash course on budgeting, frugality, credit, debt, housing, insurance and more. His book is flexible enough to be useful in a variety of ways as he advocates an approach to money more than any one strategy. Sprinkled throughout the book are Scripture verses, teaching applicable for Christians, and personal anecdotes. It is clear that this is a Christian money book, especially when the book concludes with the importance of finding a life purpose that fits in with God's purposes for your life.
This book was easy to read and chuck full of useful pointers and resources for more study (chief among them being Matt's personal blog, MattaboutMoney.com). I found the Scripture quotations and other quotations interesting and appropriate. Occasionally they were downright funny, providing comedic relief from the serious topic of conversation. For instance, Matt shares Mark Twains' important insight about investing: "October: This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August, and February." Humor aside, the book offers sound (not trendy) advice and covers a wide variety of situations, such as when a prenuptial agreement may or may not make sense, even for a Christian.
Newly weds, engaged couples, and those who are still young marrieds will benefit most from the book, but everyone will find some sound financial advice. The "take action" steps, numerous charts, and the personal stories help the reader apply the principles to their own situation. If you know of any young couples, consider giving them a copy of this book. And those of you who haven't hit middle age yet, you really need to get this book. I highly recommend it.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by NavPress for review as part of the Lit-Fuse Publicity Blog Tour. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
February 9, 2015
This book was free for Kindle several years ago, costs less than $1 in paperback now.
This book is essentially Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University summarized and targeted more to those who are engaged or newlywed. Bell includes the same essential "baby steps" of building an emergency fund, doing a debt snowball (smallest to largest), instead calling it an "accelerator," the envelope system, and the same allocated spending plan. Many of the quotes and stats in the book are also cited by Ramsey, but Bell gives Ramsey no credit, claiming he learned most of it third-hand from mentors in the afterword. For that, I ding him a star. But practically speaking, I recommend this book over the Ramsey course itself as it's cheaper and takes less time to go through.
One difference is he includes a chapter on identifying your temperament, filling out a personality survey (choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholy) and giving some general advice on dealing with a spouse of a particular type. The end of the book he recommends Emerson Eggerich's Love and Respect to married couples, and I concur.
I mostly liked how he talked about being generous in giving to a local church. I do not agree with one of the reviews on Amazon that this is "prosperity gospel" teaching, Bell simply writes:
"there is an unmistakable promise seen throughout the pages of Scripture that blessings flow from generosity motivated by a grateful heart. Some people trace material blessings to their generosity. Others have experienced a closer relationship with God...The Bible teaches that the main reason God enables us to prosper is so that we will grow in generosity: 'You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion (2 Corinthians 9:11)'" (loc. 1083). Bell doesn't promise prosperity as a result of generosity.
His approach to budgeting are summed here:
"Use a plan to guide your finances; work as if working for the Lord; give generously to help spread the gospel, alleviate the suffering of the poor, and support those who teach God’s Word; save adequately; avoid the bondage of debt; maintain a good name by managing your credit score; invest patiently; anticipate danger by building walls of protection; and spend wisely" (loc. 2627).
3.5 stars out of 5.
This book is essentially Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University summarized and targeted more to those who are engaged or newlywed. Bell includes the same essential "baby steps" of building an emergency fund, doing a debt snowball (smallest to largest), instead calling it an "accelerator," the envelope system, and the same allocated spending plan. Many of the quotes and stats in the book are also cited by Ramsey, but Bell gives Ramsey no credit, claiming he learned most of it third-hand from mentors in the afterword. For that, I ding him a star. But practically speaking, I recommend this book over the Ramsey course itself as it's cheaper and takes less time to go through.
One difference is he includes a chapter on identifying your temperament, filling out a personality survey (choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholy) and giving some general advice on dealing with a spouse of a particular type. The end of the book he recommends Emerson Eggerich's Love and Respect to married couples, and I concur.
I mostly liked how he talked about being generous in giving to a local church. I do not agree with one of the reviews on Amazon that this is "prosperity gospel" teaching, Bell simply writes:
"there is an unmistakable promise seen throughout the pages of Scripture that blessings flow from generosity motivated by a grateful heart. Some people trace material blessings to their generosity. Others have experienced a closer relationship with God...The Bible teaches that the main reason God enables us to prosper is so that we will grow in generosity: 'You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion (2 Corinthians 9:11)'" (loc. 1083). Bell doesn't promise prosperity as a result of generosity.
His approach to budgeting are summed here:
"Use a plan to guide your finances; work as if working for the Lord; give generously to help spread the gospel, alleviate the suffering of the poor, and support those who teach God’s Word; save adequately; avoid the bondage of debt; maintain a good name by managing your credit score; invest patiently; anticipate danger by building walls of protection; and spend wisely" (loc. 2627).
3.5 stars out of 5.
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May 5, 2011I really appreciate Money & Marriage by Matt Bell. Despite having been married for 16 years, I realized that my husband and I have not had a really good long talk about money before we got married. We came into marriage having the wrong concepts about budget, savings, debts, tithes. I saw where we made mistakes in the past.
Money and Marriage is a great book to read and refer to especially for engaged couples or those who are just married. The first par of the book is filled with tough questions that a couple will want to talk about early in their relationship to avoid making huge financial mistakes. Then you will also learn how your different temperaments, family background and culture can affect your finances.
The second part is a ten-step action plan for financial success that I really wish I had read when I was younger. Although, being married for 16 years doesn't mean I can't follow this plan anymore. In fact, this is where anybody can step in, single or married, and follow it towards financial success.
The third part of Money & Marriage talks about the business side of money. Hmm, this is where it really hit me - in the past 16 years that hubby and I have been making money together, we never really planned what we'll be doing with the money. The bad result - no savings. While we've managed to acquire some "things", again these are just things. This is where Matt talks about prenups, should you have a joint bank account, what to do with credit cards, long-term savings, wills and others. Then he moves on to getting all of it organized. Which forms to keep, what items to keep in a safe deposit box, etc.
The best thing that I liked about Matt Bell's book is that he ends it with what God's purposes are for our lives. Despite having realized the many mistakes I and my husband have made in the past, I came away encouraged that I can still start over and follow this plan. And that the Lord will honor our efforts. Thanks Matt Bell!
Money and Marriage is a great book to read and refer to especially for engaged couples or those who are just married. The first par of the book is filled with tough questions that a couple will want to talk about early in their relationship to avoid making huge financial mistakes. Then you will also learn how your different temperaments, family background and culture can affect your finances.
The second part is a ten-step action plan for financial success that I really wish I had read when I was younger. Although, being married for 16 years doesn't mean I can't follow this plan anymore. In fact, this is where anybody can step in, single or married, and follow it towards financial success.
The third part of Money & Marriage talks about the business side of money. Hmm, this is where it really hit me - in the past 16 years that hubby and I have been making money together, we never really planned what we'll be doing with the money. The bad result - no savings. While we've managed to acquire some "things", again these are just things. This is where Matt talks about prenups, should you have a joint bank account, what to do with credit cards, long-term savings, wills and others. Then he moves on to getting all of it organized. Which forms to keep, what items to keep in a safe deposit box, etc.
The best thing that I liked about Matt Bell's book is that he ends it with what God's purposes are for our lives. Despite having realized the many mistakes I and my husband have made in the past, I came away encouraged that I can still start over and follow this plan. And that the Lord will honor our efforts. Thanks Matt Bell!
April 9, 2011
Everyone who is married knows that money is a big deal within a marriage. Financial problems are frequently the cause of marital strife and even divorce. In “Money & Marriage,” Matt Bell takes engaged or newly married couples through some basic steps to ensure financial stability and also to find a common ground within the marriage when it comes to money. Many topics are discussed, including how to prioritize financial goals, getting out of debt, saving, and buying a house.
Read my review of this book here:
http://shoopettesbookreviews.blogspot...
Read my review of this book here:
http://shoopettesbookreviews.blogspot...
May 9, 2014
This book was recommend to me as a must read before marriage, and I understand why. It is an simple, essential guide for any couple who wants to take a mature, Godly approach to handling finances during marriage. The best part of the book is that it guides the reader to points of discussion and helps facilitate planning with easy checklists and graphics. I highly suggest it for future newlyweds.
August 7, 2012
Great book and easy to understand!
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