Do materialism and marriage mix? Our relationship experts weigh in with relationship advice on why the quest for new shiny things is causing marriages to crumble.
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Relationship advice: Unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration and conflict.
Christine* says: "I think people are just unrealistic when it comes to what they are looking for in a partner. If material things are what you want in life you should date someone who wants same. The problem is that many people are materialistic but can't afford the items or lifestyle"
Even when a couple is equally as materialistic, the desire to live a lifestyle that is not realistically affordable can cause couples to make bad financial decisions. The financial burden that many couples take on in an effort to "Keep up with the Kardashians" has the potential to make marriages crumble.
Relationship advice: Couples who save together, stay together.
Jeffrey Dew, professor at Utah State University and author of the paper Bank on it: Thrifty Couples are the Happiest says that when the recession hit in 2008, US Consumers had amassed over 988 billion dollars in commercial debt - seven times the amount of debt of two decades ago. Dew's research indicates that the trend towards overspending and accumulating consumer debt is playing a huge part in eroding marital happiness. Regardless of a couple's economic situation, he says that commercial debt is "an equal opportunity marriage destroyer." His research shows that once a couple starts arguing about money, it's likely they will start arguing about other things and decreasing the amount of time they spend together.
Dew concludes by saying that thriftier couples are more likely to be happy, adding: "Couples who have turned away from spending money they do not have and towards saving money around which they can build a shared future together appear well-positioned to enjoy more than a healthy bank account."
What about you? Do you think materialistic couples last?
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