Deciding if You and Your Fiancé are Sufficiently Disciplined with Money

Peggy was good-looking, attractive and amazingly skilled in developing convincing "hard luck" stories. In consequence she was able to "mooch" quantities of clothes and considerable money from kind friends. Yet she was always destitute. If she had money, she was without sales resistance and bought anything which attracted her. Hence she was always "broke." She never could be kept in clothing. Whenever she got anything new she wore it at once, even to work in the garden, or walk in the rain. When it became soiled or torn a bit, instead of cleaning or repairing it, she would throw it out. Then she would either dress in the rags which she had left, or "mooch" something more. In the matter of money and property, Peggy was still a little girl and despite her twenty-five years, unready for the responsibilities of adult life in marriage. In this same category we should include also the "easy-come, easy-go" group; people who earn plenty of money but never have any. Gamblers and "dead beats" and others always looking for ways to pick up easy money which does not have to be earned, and "escape artists" who are always just about to do something big which they never accomplish, likewise illustrate an immature irresponsibility which shows lack of readiness for marriage. It is not always fair to blame such people, any more than we would blame a ten-year-old boy for being unable to do a man's work. But whether or not irresponsible people are to blame, they certainly are not ready for marriage.

Before you marry you should make sure that:
• You can keep your own clothing and other things neat, clean, and in good repair.
• You are a good credit risk. Buy only what you can afford, and accept full responsibility for your debts and other financial obligations.
• Under ordinary circumstances, you can live within your income, no matter how small it may be.

When you marry, regardless of how old or young you may be, people will expect you to act as a responsible adult. They will expect you to be reasonably reliable, to greet people and behave acceptably in public, and to observe the ordinarily expected standards of adult behavior. These standards will differ, depending upon the group to which you belong. Before you marry you should know and be able to conform to the demands of the particular group or circle in which you will move.

< Back to Marriage A - Z