Avoiding Arguments with Your Live-In Boyfriend or Girlfriend During a Recession

Relationships are hard work. You can't just sit back and think that everything will be rosy all of the time. This is especially true when the economy is struggling, and it's hard to make ends meet. If the lack of money becomes an issue in a relationship, it can provide for some huge arguments. That's certainly not going to help you have a fun or romantic evening. This article will explore ten ways to avoid the arguments and keep things positive during the hard times.

1. Make a list of all of your bills. Find out what is due each month. Try to set aside enough to pay three to six months worth of these minimum bills in the event that one of you loses your job or gets laid off. Having a backup plan for money is your first tip to getting through a rough time.

2. If one of you loses your job, don't automatically tap into the savings to pay bills. Try to find another job immediately, or at least a temporary way to pay bills. You could write internet articles on associated content to make extra money to hold you through, for instance. The longer you have that backup savings, the longer you won't have to worry about money and you'll still have some good times.

3. Before things get really bad, make a list of who is responsible for paying what bills. Make a list of alternatives for what would happen if one of you can't pay his or her share. One cute idea would be that if one person is $100 short in paying the bills, that person has to take on extra chores to make up for it. If one of you loses his or her job, that person becomes responsible for almost all of the housework, and has to do many other nice things as well.

4. Decide together what steps you must each take if you are to lose your job. For example, you might agree that you have to spend 25 hours per week looking for work, and apply to at least 3 jobs per day until a job is found. This way, there won't be arguments about whether the out of work person is doing what they can to find another job.

5. Dedicate at least one evening per week for fun. It doesn't matter what you do, but that one evening has to be free of any talks of money, and free of any negative attitudes towards the other person.

6. Dedicate, and try to use only this time, one morning per week to talk about bills. If you get together weekly to figure out the financial situation, and you deal with it then, the rest of the week can be free of arguments. You just have to be willing to stick to this plan.

Many arguments ensue with couples when they start arguing every day about money. Nothing else ever comes into play. You aren't going out very often, so there's less to do at home. And at home, every room you walk into can remind you of a bill that hasn't yet been paid.

7. Pick one room in the house that you don't use very often to be the room where you discuss financial issues. This way, the rest of your home is safe territory for enjoyment, and everyone knows there won't be arguments about money in these areas.

8. Do something nice for the other person at least once per week. When he comes home, give him a massage. When she gets up Saturday morning, rub her feet. Light some scented white candles for peace and tranquility, and sit back and enjoy each other's company.

9. Come up with free things to do. If you sit around and watch television all the time, chances are, you'll have alot of time to argue. Go to some free concerts or art exhibits. You could even go to highschool band concerts or chorus concerts. (Hey, it's something free to do, and you might actually learn something!) Play some of those board games that haven't come out of the closet for years.

10. Each person needs time to themself. Arrange time for yourself at least one day per week. This can be as simple as a few hours alone to read, or just some time to think in general. A relaxing shower or bubble bath can do wonders for the soul.

11. Bonus. Come up with a joint effort of something you can do or build together. Write a book together, build a website together, or anything else you are interested in. Build a piece of furniture or make a piece of art. You'll connect in ways other than what you're used to.