I once attended a workshop about money. One of the exercises our group of 50 had to do was chew a brand new $100 bill. Most of us gagged.
The purpose of the exercise was to demonstrate that money – the thing itself – is neutral. Pieces of paper, diamonds, chunks of gold to which we assign a cultural worth have no direct value in nourishing us, keeping us warm, or sheltering us. In this exercise, money even turned out to be disgusting.
Some superstitions are harmless, like knocking on wood, carrying a rabbit’s foot or hoping that if you get on a plane with your right foot that the plane won’t crash. I do this last one myself. Silly, but harmless, unlike other superstitions that are serious and affect other people.
You’re in love. He’s perfect. Likes the same things you do. You have fun together. You can stay up all night talking. The chemistry is unbelievable. Finally, a man who shares your values about life, work, children, family. You want to spend the rest of your life with him.
Every year, on or around April 15, millions of wives are asked by their husbands to sign a joint income tax return. My husband used to say "Sign here Honey" at 9:00 pm on April 15 as he raced into the house with the tax return he'd just picked up from his accountant.
Financial intimacy is not about trust.
It's about the relationship of two adults who choose to commit their lives to each other.
It presupposes equality, the sharing of information that affects both partners in the marriage.
It's not optional to the relationship. It's central.
Intimacy about money is not about romance. It's about real life.
The words money and romance don't belong in the same sentence.
They are polar opposites when it comes to being a responsible adult.
It’s not just first time brides who have trouble talking about money. Women who remarry have many of the same money hang-ups, especially if money was a touchy subject the first time around. It’s counterintuitive to think about widowhood or divorce when you’re getting married. Few women do.
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