The global pandemic that the world is facing presents a new set of challenges for each and every one of us. Whether you’re dealing with a sick family member, a loss of employment, or anything in between, it’s not unreasonable to encounter problems between you and your spouse. Sure, some issues may not be so serious to make you question whether or not you’ll be surviving your divorce, but sometimes the added stress of the current situation can make problems that much worse. When it comes to finances with your spouse, there is a greater potential for financial arguments now. The good news is that if you’re aware of some of the more common arguments, you can avoid having to call up a divorce lawyer and maintain the peace around the house. Here are some common financial arguments to beware of during your quarantine.
Arguments about jobs and employment
Of course, the current global pandemic has led to substantial financial disruptions all around the world. As a result, many couples are having difficulty navigating the particular details related to their jobs and sources of income. If you or your spouse has had to go on unemployment as a result of the global pandemic, then it’s easy to start panicking and worrying about how the bills will get paid. But before you start losing your mind and thinking about drastic solutions such as how to sell your home, it’s a good idea to keep a few things in perspective.
First of all, your relationship with your significant other should provide a source of support and encouragement. It should not lead to even greater stress in the midst of a situation that is already stressful enough. With this framework in mind, it may alter the way you approach conversations related to jobs and income. In addition to this, it’s not a bad idea to bring a few different concepts to your spouse when discussing income. If you do your part to remain proactive about your employment situation, that often goes a long way to demonstrating just how committed you are to staying afloat during the current global pandemic. Staying ahead of these kinds of financial arguments can work wonders to helping you avoid thoughts about arguments, or worse, surviving your divorce.
Problems around the house
Issues that need to be addressed around the house can often lead to potentially major arguments with your spouse. Even things such as problems with the plumbing, lawn care, or monthly utility bills can often lead to disagreements that are difficult to patch up. When you add in the extra layers of complications that come along with quarantine, things get that much more complex. And this type of thing can often spiral out of control before you’re even aware of it. Thankfully, there are a few key steps you can take in order to make sure that discussions about problems that need fixing around the house don’t end up turning into full-on arguments.
First and foremost, it’s always a good idea to give your partner plenty of time to make a decision about anything that needs to be fixed in your home. When you share a space with someone else it’s only reasonable to allow them to feel as though they also have a say about what goes on. Whether you’re part of a new couple, or if you’re just focused on surviving your divorce, this type of shared conversational approach can help you to avoid lots of problems when it comes to solving issues around the house.
Furthermore, try being very clear about presenting the different options that exist for you when dealing with things that need to be fixed in your home. For example, if you are working to solve an issue with your heating and air conditioning, it may be fruitful to do some research then present your spouse a few different options for air conditioning services. Allowing your partner to be part of the decision-making process can often stamp out any potential disagreements before they even have a chance to get started in the first place.
Disagreements over larger purchases
Whether you’re in the midst of surviving your divorce, or if you’re just trying to get established with your partner, there’s no doubt that you’ve encountered disagreements about larger purchases at some point in time. Because there is so much financial uncertainty in the world right now, it’s probably a good idea to avoid any unnecessary purchases, especially those that are larger and more demanding on your bank account. Whether you’ve been looking at buying pontoon boats or a whole new wardrobe, it may be better to hold off on these kinds of larger purchases. Doing so not only decreases the likelihood of financial hardship, but it also makes it more feasible to maintain smooth financial conversations with your spouse or significant other. The last thing you want to do is to spend the last of your savings on something that isn’t a complete necessity. After all, doing so may only lead to greater financial tensions in your relationship.
So how can you deal with these types of arguments if they do happen to arise? Well, you can work to develop a plan for larger purchases that you want to make. It’s totally understandable to see how someone might be upset if they were saving up for something major for a long time, only to have their plans foiled by the global pandemic that came out of nowhere to surprise us all. But just because a major purchase may have to be delayed, it certainly doesn’t mean it has to be canceled. Rather than focusing on your inability to make a large purchase, focus instead on developing a more refined budget and the timeline for your purchase.
For example, say you were excited to buy new dirt bikes for the summer before the global pandemic came about. Rather than giving in to frustration, it’s better to be productive about the purchase and see how purchasing the new dirt bikes in the fall may end up being even better. Doing this kind of reframing with your spouse can be incredibly productive whether you’re looking to maintain the peace, or if you’re just focused on surviving your divorce. Remember, this quarantine won’t last forever. It’s good to have some big purchases waiting for you on the other side of the current situation.
Taking out loans and other financing options
Even when you’re not ordered to stay at home, financing options and other loans can be a great source of arguments between couples of all kinds. When you’re planning on making some sort of major financial move, such as taking out private loans, it’s no surprise that many people feel stress and worry. After all, there is always some level of risk that’s associated with these types of drastic financial decisions. When you add in the extra stress that comes with the global pandemic, taking out loans and other financing options can become even more contentious between you and your significant other.
As with most other issues, it’s never a bad idea to operate with full transparency when it comes to discussing loans and financing options. After all, doing so just might be the key to surviving your divorce. It may even help your loved ones to feel more reassured if you can bring in a certified financial planner to have some discussions about your financial options. Even speaking to a local banker along with your significant other can yield some wonderful results that may help you both feel better about your financing decision. It will certainly help you make a more informed decision as well.
Many banks and financial institutions understand the challenges that people are facing. As a result, many of them are willing to offer many different options for those who are in need of all kinds of different loans and financing sources. Whatever your particular case happens to be, it’s always a good idea to make sure that you keep your significant other informed of the decisions you’re making. Sometimes even making the simple gesture to invite them to join a call with a banker or financial planner will give them the inclusion they need to feel as though they are part of the decision. Whatever your current situation, this kind of back and forth communication is a crucial aspect of any healthy relationship.
Relocating or moving to a new area
Moving homes or relocating is tough whether you’re worried about surviving your divorce or learning about the best areas to start a family. Moving to a new place during this current global pandemic is even tougher. However, some people may have found themselves in the middle of a new home purchase or relocation that was put into motion before the quarantine orders came about. Furthermore, others may simply not have the option of staying in their current living situation. In any case, if you’re considering moving or relocating, this is definitely a place to watch out for if you’re concerned about arguing with your spouse or significant other. It’s no wonder that it’s such a tender topic of conversation, either. Along with the financial hurdles that a big move can bring about, it also generates lots of potential conflicts in regards to your lifestyle, social circles, and employment opportunities.
On the other hand, moving to a new location can also bring about much needed new opportunities to your life. Perhaps you’re moving to a home with a larger yard. This allows you to spend more time outdoors, even if it may mean you need to invest in a zero turn mower to keep things looking tidy. Moving into a new community can also provide you with untold social connections, many of which would have been simply unavailable to you and your family in your past location. In any case, it’s always prudent to consider all the different aspects of moving with your spouse. After all, these kinds of discussions can lead to major arguments and cause rifts in relationships. You wouldn’t want a discussion about moving to lead to a discussion about surviving your divorce. After all, were you aware of the fact that approximately 827,000 divorces happen every year? Do your best to not let a talk about relocating lead to the kinds of arguments that create irreparable damage in your relationship.
Recreational purchases
Surviving your divorce will be tough enough never mind the fact that you’re trying to survive a global pandemic. Avoiding these kinds of situations often means avoiding arguments that can generate even greater problems in your relationship. One such subject of possible disagreement is the changes that you and your significant other may need to make to your non-essential spending habits. After all, going out and spending lots of money on something such as Botox surgeries may not be the most productive use of your money during a global pandemic. In any case, having a discussion about how to minimize non-essential and recreational purchases is an excellent way to ensure that you can maintain financial security throughout such an uncertain time.
How can you talk about cutting back on non-essential spending habits without creating a huge argument? Well, first and foremost, you should do your best to address the subject in as calm a manner as possible. As with planning for future purchases, it may be wise to talk about cutting back on purchases now as a way to fund your future purchases. After all, it’s likely that the current situation is only temporary. Once the world gets back to normal, it will be more preferable to have a little more cash in your pocket for spending. The last thing you want to worry about is surviving your divorce because of an argument that started when discussing how you need to cut back on spending. So, whatever specific spending habits you talk about, make sure you frame the conversation as one that gives you more flexibility in the future, rather than one that restricts options in the present.
Childcare and education
Even when there’s not a global pandemic to contend with, discussions about child care and education can bring about many arguments between couples. Whether you’re partial toward pursuing homeschooling for your children, or some other option, it’s crucial to make sure that you and your significant other are on the same page. Discussions about how to care for your children are sometimes difficult to have, and in many cases, they may even lead to you being concerned about surviving your divorce. As with other major financial decisions, it’s a good idea to explore all your available options before rushing into a final choice. Getting your significant other involved in this process will also help you both to reach a decision that is best for everyone involved.
As you’ve probably already discovered, the global pandemic and quarantine orders have created lots of potential problems for people when it comes to their finances. By sticking to these tips, you can be confident in your ability to navigate these challenging times with your spouse while also avoiding serious disagreements and arguments. Good luck, stay safe, and don’t forget to wash your hands!
