Use the ice block method for major purchases.

Spending money as a couple is quite hard to avoid. However impulse spending is easy to avoid all you have to do is turn to your freezer. Take your credit card you use to purchase these impulse items and find a tub and fill it with water. Next place the credit card inside the tube and put it in your freezer. Then the next time the two of you want to purchase that silly home decoration instead of rushing out and putting it on your credit card you will have to wait for the thaw. Yes then set the block of ice out containing your credit card and you have to wait until the block completely thaws out to make the purchase. Usually what will happen is that you will realize during the thawing process that you don't really need that item that you had to have just days ago. This method has been around for years and has helped many couples avoid financial hard ship. If one or both of your are impulse shoppers then this method could save you bundles of money.

Make a savings goal.

As a couple one of the most important things you can do is make a savings goal. Maybe you want to take an awesome vacation, or purchase new patio furniture. Anything that is not a normal purchase would be a great thing to save for. You can put money in a jug or dedicate so much from each pay check to reach the goal. Keep a tote board up in your house to show how close you are to reaching your goal. Make sure to keep the money safe and in a hard to get place so that you don't just get into it anytime you desire something. Once you finally reach your goal then you can celebrate by purchasing the thing that both of your desire. When picking your treasure make sure to pick something the both of you can use. Don't pick a big screen tv for him to watch the games on and don't pick a new vanity table for her to get ready in the morning. Sharing is one of the secrets to staying healthy as a couple. Not to mention the rewards are so much sweeter when you have someone to enjoy them with. Start stocking back the change now I think I hear Hawaii calling the two of you.

Great Gift Idea - Tickets

Tickets are a great idea for Christmas because they not only make it exciting when the receiver opens them but they will also be thinking how great you are while they are at the event. When I say tickets I think about sporting events, however there are so many other place that require tickets to get into. Things such as plays, shows, theme parks and even airplanes are great ideas based on the person you are purchasing them for. Make sure to get two tickets at least for each event because no one wants to go to an event alone, and hopefully they will take you with them. Depending on your budget, you could maybe even purchase season tickets to something. That would be a gift that keeps on giving all throughout the season. Taylor you picks to your partner, so don't get them tickets to the opera if they would rather have football tickets. Also make sure it is a time that won't conflict with anything else on their schedule. Reactions from getting tickets are usually comparable to touchdown dances performed on Sunday afternoons.

Checkbook

One of the most common fights couples have is about money. There never seems to be enough money when you are trying to budget for two or a whole household. Yes we have to set boundaries and budgets yet we also have to have a little freedom. My feelings are that you need to have one checkbook that takes care of your household bills, car payments, insurance, etc. That way the both of you can oversee the finances. This checkbook should stay at the house never to leave. If you need to use it for groceries, or outside purposes, get a debit card. Neither partner should carry this checkbook around with them. That is set in stone, both of you know exactly where that checkbook is at all times. You can designate one or both of you to pay the bills as they come in.

Now here is where I side track from most people. I think that both partners should also have either their own checking account or at least a preloaded debit card. Why? you might ask. Because we all have things we would like to purchase that we don't want to have to ask the other partner if it is okay. Set a predetermined amount to deposit in these accounts each pay period and then hands off the others account. This will allow them to save for things they might want to purchase or to buy you presents for anniversaries, birthdays, or other holidays. We use to keep all our money in one pot and it made if very difficult to purchase an anniversary present for my wife. Either I would ask her for a certain amount of money and then I had to answer 20 questions as to why I needed it. If I didn't get approval first the checkbook would show the deed anyway. Then I would be answering questions like "Why did you write a check to Victoria's Secret the other day" Thus my surprises where always blown.

If you decide to do this you cannot judge the other person on what they buy with their budgeted amount. For instance if you partner saves their money and purchases a $250 ipod. You cannot say "We could have used that money to buy this or that" They have made the effort and sacrificed other things to get this item. Make an effort to understand their purchase, usually most people have a reason to buy something. This technique also helps out if one of you is a classic over spender. Now they are limited to only the amount in their checking account, while the other remains off limits to both partners.

Relationships are tough enough but throw in money problems and they become even tougher. This ours, mine and yours technique gives everyone a little variance and a chance to purchase things without getting approval from the relationship committee. Lastly just to add don't make these individual accounts with credit cards that can be a nightmare only use accounts where you deposit money and that is all you can withdraw.

Click on the title line of this post and go to Oprah's website that gives you more information on finances for couples.