Money Matter

Cash Conflict:



I read once that it's not how much you earn that ensures a comfortable and happy future; but it's how much you save and keep saved that matters.

Money is one of those issues that's difficult to talk about, especially among couples who do not communicate well from the very beginning. Men are expected to be always stable, very reliable, the protector of the family. With such high expectations, this maybe a source of conflict if financial difficulties arise.

What's important is not how couples disagree over money, but how they work things out. When a couple nurtures good communication habits on a day to day basis, they'll find it easier to stay together and face difficulties when they arrive.

" I will share this story of my friend, her husband is thinking that he is better with finances than her wife because he is an accountant. Her wife is a manager in a travel company. She ask about some aspects in their finances, like savings or spending on the house repairs, and he'd give this patronizing answer that he felt so helpless when it came to the house budget."

It's fairly common for men to fancy themselves as better when it comes to the big picture. Filipinas, on average, make better decisions than male heads of households, as borne out by research done by the NCSB. According to National Statistical Coordination Board, female heads of households "spend relatively more on education and medical services. Truly, mothers know best!

Financial literacy is all about common sense. It is knowing what real wealth means...means to build up personal financial wealth over time. People must realize that this does not require formal college degrees. They can be financially literate through self-study and attending basic personal finance seminars.

"So how did my friend resolve the problem?" She recognized her own shortcomings and took charge. She admit that she is financial illiterate. She started doing her homework on their finances. And they agreed on a compromise to give each other time to talk about money matter. When her husband talk, she listens and vice versa. This gave them both the opportunity to get their concerns on the table and gave her some measure of control over their household finances. They don't fight over money so much anymore.