1. Your spouse supports a child from a previous marriage ? You're cool with the kid and it didn't really bother you- until now that you're electricity is due and he says he has just sent the remainder of his paycheck for Bobby's birthday party.



Solution:

Talk. Set the rules this early on. Make clear that you expect the other to pay his or her share of the responsibilities in this house. If his paycheck is too small to cover child-support and your bills, make sure that neither is compromised. Think of ways to earn extra money where you both work for it, so that it doesn't feel like the other is putting is weight on the other's shoulders.

2. You are constant travelers. To different parts of the world. Your boss sends you to a conference in Beijing for a week, while he's in Rome covering the Pope. You feel so guilty not being at each other's side you buy presents for each other like crazy. The next week it's the same thing. At the end of the month, you both realize that you've spend your whole paycheck on trinkets, you don't have enough to pay the rent!

Solution:

Ask your employer or force yourself to withhold a certain percentage of your salary to leave behind when you go abroad. And don't go cheating by reaching for that Amex either. Your spouse will appreciate it the same if you scale down that emerald ring from China to a simple bamboo flute the next time you go away. At the same time don't sulk that he didn't buy you that luxurious but highly-expensive Roman coffee. After all, isn't it that it's the thought that counts?

3. You are both still in school. You're both in law school and though you've never been happier, you've also never been poorer! Even if both of you work nights, you still won't have enough money to live independently as a couple.

Solution:

At this point, talk about getting a loan from both of your parents and promise to repay them after graduation. Your marriage and your studies are equally important so it might not be a good idea for one person to stop and work full-time to support the other. Make clear the reasons why you are borrowing, and even offer to pay interest. Be mature in doing so, and even your parents? respect will grow for both of you.

4. You lost your job after the wedding. This is a big blow to your self-esteem, and to your pocket. Thank goodness one of you is still working, but you figure it isn't enough to scrape by. What's worse, you blew all your savings on the honeymoon!

Solution:

Don't even think that this is the time to start a new business or pursue your hidden talent. The first year of marriage isn't the time to experiment or risk both your financial stability. Look for a job pronto, and your spouse will love you even more.