Girlfriend doesn?t embrace planning a budget
Dear Dave,
I?m getting married in a few months, and I was wondering how to get my girlfriend to take a more active role in planning a family budget. We?ve been through pre-marital counseling, and everything seems to be fine except for this area. We?ve practiced this a few times, but she seems to want me to make all the decisions.
? David
Dear David,
Marriage counselors will tell you, if a couple comes to agreement on four major issues ? money, kids, religion and in-laws ? they have a greater chance of forming a successful and lasting marriage. I?m glad you?ve gone through pre-marital counseling, and that you want to be on the same page about how you handle money.
Try sitting down with her and explaining how important it is to you that she?s involved in the budgeting process, and that you believe it?s very important these decisions are made by the two of you together ? as one. Almost every woman in the world values communication in a relationship, and the process of making a monthly budget will open doors to life issues and some fabulous sharing between the two of you.
David, the way a couple spends money are representative of their dreams, passions, fears and their vision for the future together. That flow of money also represents an established value system, and how they plan to reach these goals and make their dreams come true.
? Dave
Dear Dave,
I know you hate credit cards, but I?ve never heard of a debit card that provides insurance on purchases. Next week, I?m renting a car to take a long trip and I don?t have rental insurance on my auto policy. The insurance through the rental company costs $10 per day, but my credit card will give me full coverage. Should I still cut up the card, or do you know of a debit cards that offers this protection?
??Marlon
Dear Marlon,
I?ll agree with you on one point. I?ve never heard of a debit card that offers this kind of insurance, either. On this one issue you MIGHT come out even if you?re lucky, but if you pull that thing out of your pocket for anything else you?re going to get nailed.
Dunn & Bradstreet did a study that showed consumers spend 12 to 18 percent more when using credit cards as opposed to cash. If you play with snakes, Marlon, sooner or later you?re going to get bitten.
I have rental coverage on my auto insurance, and it costs almost nothing. When I travel I use a debit card for rental cars, hotels and everything else.
??Dave
Dear Dave,
I?m thinking of starting a shopping service that would “shop” one?s own company, as well as their competition. It would gauge whether your employees are treating customers well and performing in the absence of management. Does this sound like a good idea?
??Louis
Dear Louis,
The good thing about this type of business is that you can market yourself to anyone who sells.
Let?s say you?re working with a company that has a sales team on the road. If you can increase their effectiveness, then you?ve increased the growth revenues of the company instantaneously. Prove that you can do this by shopping them, and you could have a really interesting situation on your hands.
It will be a tough sell if what you do doesn?t immediately change numbers. Long-term growth is fine, but if you can?t help them increase revenue quickly they may not be as willing to cut you a check for your services.
??Dave