Showing posts with label married. Show all posts
Showing posts with label married. Show all posts

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Online Dating for Married People

Author: Richard Gazzo

The internet is a large place with all type of services and niches for anything you can imagine. Online dating for instance is a multi million dollar industry. In the dating industry there are tons of different niches ranging from BBW (big beautiful women), ethnic dating such as (Muslim, Asian) and there is even a niche called "married dating". Yes you read right, there are many dating sites that cater to married men and women who are looking for extramarital affairs.






The "married but looking" population is quite large, and it only makes sense. With the divorce rate at over 50% people find the love and attention that they aren't getting at home through married personal ads and other means. We can argue if it is right or wrong but it's human nature to want companionship, this can range from a one night stand to leaving your wife for another lady.





And along comes the internet and changes how we interact and meet one another and this includes married men seeking married women and vice verse. Online married dating sites that cater to to married people are popular for a few reason. The first reason that it is popular is because of the autonomy of the internet. People feel anonymous online so they tend to explore subjects that they wouldn't otherwise be able to. The web is a huge place and if you're interested in cheating on your wife then there is probably a married woman who is interested in the same thing.





As the popularity of the web exploded in early the late 1990s so did dating sites and then married dating sites like Ashley Madison and Married Cafe started to spring up that catered exclusively to married people . These sites are designed to be discreet and when you pay a monthly membership usually the name on the credit card statement is very discreet, to keep husbands and wives in the dark as to what is really going on.





Married dating sites operate like any other online dating service, you have all the options that you can think of. You can search based on gender, distance, body size, age and of course marital status. It's like shopping for an automobile, you can choose exactly what you want and click submit to see the results in seconds.





These web sites are big money makers for the owners looking at the millions of members that some sites boast. Like it or not extra marital affairs have always happened, maybe it's easier now to meet married women or men but it has always been there.

About the Author:

Richard Gazzo is an online writer he offering tips and info on married personals, married dating and more http://www.marriedaffair.net

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Online Dating for Married People



Friday, March 20, 2009

Important Questions to Ask Before Getting Married

It's time to get introspective! By taking the time to honestly assess your feelings and your motivations, you will be able to ascertain your degree of readiness for marriage.

Ask yourself the following questions:

What do I love about my partner?

As a psychotherapist specializing in couples and marital therapy, one of the first things I ask is “What do you love about one another?" If the answers indicate little depth, serious trouble is indicated. Replies such "because she's pretty” or "he's fun” are troubling signs, indicating surface attraction. Once, to my horror, a client replied "Because we like the same kind of pizza.” Needless to say, this is not a foundation for a long lasting relationship!

Happily, after considerable introspection, many couples are able to identify their attraction to positive partner qualities such as compassion, intelligence, and an ability and willingness to communicate effectively. After all, if you can't talk openly with your partner, the relationship is not solid. Perhaps more important, self-aware couples are able to recognize areas for potential growth, and develop a plan to jointly work on their relationship.

Some, especially new, couples may view such questioning as cynically casting doubt upon their whirlwind romance. Nonetheless this type of critical self-reflection is vital in determining ultimate compatibility. Indeed, it doesn't take a relationship advice guru to realized that a little work now could save a lot of heartache later.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Why am I asking this person to marry me?

For example, are you proposing because your partner is pregnant? If that's your primary reason for getting hitched, I suggest you reconsider, because studies show that you will grow to resent your partner and child.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Can we work through problems?

If you've been with your partner for a long period of time, you have likely experienced some rough patches. Take a look at those patches to determine how you dealt with them as a couple, and note what you did well or identify areas for improvement. Do you feel comfortable discussing any problem with your partner?

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Can we communicate?

Talking is not necessarily the same as communicating. You need to be able to talk to this person in your life in a constructive way. If you have already argued, you already know if this is possible. We don't always get along with the people we love, but we should be willing to get along with them most of the time and try to love them when we are feeling negative about them. If you felt like you came away from the situation understanding the other person better, you are able to communicate.

Important Tip:

If you have ever walked away from an argument feeling degraded or unsatisfied, you might want to work on your couples communication skills a bit more.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

What are my conceptions of marriage?

Everyone has a different pre-conceived conception of what marriage means; some of us are influenced by family experiences, some of us by mass media depictions of marriage, some focus on the magical wedding day and think everything else will fall into place, while others dream of children and building long-term memories. What are yours? Are they at least similar to your partners? I hope so!

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Do we share the same values?

While this doesn't necessarily include religious or spiritual ideals, sharing the same values is going to be helpful in ensuring future harmony. For example, you will need to be able to share some values in order to make decisions together, parent together, and to live in the same home together.

Important Tip:

Conflicting values can be fun to debate when you're first dating, but having to live with someone who never agrees with you is not a strong foundation for a marriage.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Do we share the same religion?

If you have strong religious beliefs, you should be able to 1) share them with your partner or 2) respect your partner's differences. There are many couples that do not share the same religion, but they still need to be able to respect their spouse's beliefs and have their spouse return the favor.

Important tip: Those that do not share the same religion will want to create a plan on how to deal with this in terms of children and holidays.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE Getting Married

Where are we financially?

Marriage is certainly not about money, but making a note of what you have in terms of financial assets is certainly going to help you create a solid foundation. You need to be honest with your partner about your financial situation and they need to be honest with you. If you do not discuss money, this can create conflict in your marriage. In fact, financial stressors are one of the leading causes of divorce.

Action for the day: Perform some type of financial planning as a couple. Make notes regarding your financial situation as it relates to your tastes and standard of living. If you're fiscally responsible and your partner has a penchant for designer shoes and is drowning in credit card debt, can you manage this divide? Are you and your partner compatible in living within your means?

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

What are our differences?

Are you and your partner fundamentally different? If so, can you live with those differences? This can be anything that you feel strongly about or something that you simply dislike. For example, every one of us have “dealbreakers” which are things that we categorically will not tolerate. They represent a bare minimum requirement that should never be breached because it would often result in the end of the relationship. Do you need your partner to change in certain areas, or can live with them? Be honest, and save yourself future aggravation! Speak now or forever hold your peace, remember?

Action For The Day:

Make a list of your “dealbreakers” and share them with your partner. This will ensure that you are both on the same page regarding your expectations for your relationship.

A little introspection with respect to the above questions will help you ascertain your personal readiness for marriage. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't think of your partner's feelings as well. Next, we address your partner's readiness for marriage. After all, it takes two!

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Questions To Ask Of Your Partner

It's quite easy to get wrapped up in the idea that you are the only one that needs to consider your feelings regarding marriage as you're the one that's going to do the 'asking,' but this is only partially true. Yes, you do need to consider your own readiness, but you also need to question if your partner is ready as well.

Here are some questions that you can ask yourself about your partner to determine if this is a person that is ready to marry you:

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Are they willing to share things with you?

While all of us have small secrets, being married requires teamwork and a willingness to discuss some uncomfortable things. If you find that your partner isn't someone that shares things with you, you may want to reconsider whether they will make good marriage material. If they do not share themselves with you, then by definition you do not truly know them. In addition, you will likely find it difficult to communicate with them or even get a sense of what they are thinking.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Have they already discussed marriage?

When you're in a long term relationship, the topic of marriage should be broached at some point. Even if you never plan to get married, couples should talk about the possibility and the probability. A sign that your partner is ready or close to being ready for marriage is this discussion – this often indicates they have given the idea some thought and have begun to ask themselves if they are ready.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Do they see your relationship as a team effort?

If your potential spouse treats your marriage as though it were a team effort, it usually means they respect your input and opinions and are looking at things in the long term. Also, if your partner actively treats you as a permanent couple, this is likely a sign that they want to be a permanent couple.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Has your partner had positive role models of marriage in their life?

If your partner came from a family that did not provide an example of a stable marriage, then they may have a slightly harder time adjusting to the idea of marriage or long term commitment. This doesn't mean they are unfit for marriage, but it can be an obstacle in terms of them harboring different opinions about love and relationships.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Where do I see our lives heading?

Many people forget that the proposal is simply just one moment in which your lives will change forever. And while this moment is beautiful and timeless, you need to think more about what happens after your partner accepts a ring.

It's important to show your significant other that you have been thinking about the future and not just about the proposal. This is probably the most romantic gesture of all and it tells your partner that you are in this for the long haul.

You can relay this feeling to your partner by talking about the future after you propose or before you propose. Creating a vivid, happy picture of what your future together will look like is a great way not only to set up the perfect moment for popping the question, but also helps ensure that you are both ready for the wonderful ride!

If your partner isn't clear about what they want from your relationship, this isn't a problem necessarily, but it can be something that you might want to think about before you ask the big question. A partner that isn't quite sure what they want may indicate that they are not yet ready for marriage, or not easily satisfied. Of course, at the point you are ready to propose, you should already have an idea of your future potential as a long term couple.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Do I really know the person I Plan to marry?

It's easy to become swept up in the moment of proposing. If you've only been together for a few months, you're probably feeling as though nothing will ever go wrong between you – that all will be happy and blissful.

However, the truth is that whenever you put two people together, you will inevitably experience some sort of disagreement or some rough patches. That's life, and unforeseen stressors can occur in the form of sudden unemployment, illness, the passing of family and pets, etc.

There is no hard and fast rule regarding how long you need to know someone before you get engaged, but you should be asking yourself just how much you know about the person you wish to spend the rest of your life with.

And you should consider how much they know about you.

Consider your partner's family. Have you met them? Meeting your partner's family is a great way to learn more about your partner, and gives you clues regarding their upbringing and caregiver models.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Do you know your partners goals and dreams? Do you know what your partner would if they only had the chance?

Warning!

You should not get engaged to someone with the belief that you will “grow to love them” or get to know them more as you are married. This is almost always a recipe for disaster. Put simply, you should become engaged to someone you know well right now. While it's true that people change over the course of a marriage due to maturity and basic human development, but you should have a good idea of the essential nature of your partner.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask Before Getting Married

Do your partner's family and friends like you?

While the opinion of your partner's family and friends isn't the defining factor regarding the validity of your relationship, you do need to consider any problems as potential obstacles to true bliss. If your partner's mother, for example, is always berating you, you might have to deal with this for the rest of your life. Even worse, if your partner never stands up for you, can you live with that?

Some relationships may always be difficult, so you should ask yourself if that's something you will be able to deal with in a mature and honest manner.

Though it's true that you want to do as much as you can to ensure that you have positive relationships with the important people in your partner's life, you also need to be willing to acknowledge that people generally do not change, but they can soften over time. In other words, thoughtfully consider, but don't get over attached to the opinions of your partner's family and friends.

Unfortunately, even if your partner's friends and family don't like you, you still need to treat them with respect. This will help to maintain civility and keep your partner from feeling like you are exacerbating the situation.

On the other hand, if you notice that your partner never stands up for you, this can create stress in your relationship. Additionally, if your partner always defers to the opinions of others, such as friends and family, this may create obstacles with respect to big decisions like children and career moves. Also, when a partner is constantly seeking others outside of the marriage for advice instead of conferring with his or her mate, this is a predictive indicator of relationship problems.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE Getting Married

Do we share similar interests?

Think of the time you've spent with your partner thus far. Are you able to spend time together pursuing similar interests? While you don't have to share all of the same hobbies and activities, you do want to have some things you can enjoy together.

For example, perhaps you both love the same sports team and look forward to watching and attending games together. Or you may both be fitness enthusiasts that like to workout together.

Think of the activities you already enjoy together to determine if you have aspects of your lives that you can share over the long haul. If not, maybe it's time to find something that you can both enjoy together.

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Are we able to live individual lives too?

Here comes the flip side to the above recommendation: It is also vital to maintain balance in your relationship. While you want to have similar interests in your lives, you also need to maintain your own individuality without any interference from your partner.

In the beginning stages of a relationship, you will always want to be together – at work, at home, etc. But as the relationship evolves and you learn more about each other, you need to step outside of your comfort zone and find out what makes you happy on your own.

In short, you need to get your own life! While your partner may be a high priority in your life, you also need to nurture your own learning, hobbies, and interests in order to grow as a person.

What's more is that the more you learn about yourself and about what you enjoy, the more you bring into your relationship.

The old joke is that older couples run out of things to say because they've already said everything – but this is not necessarily the case when you take the time to develop your own life outside of the marriage and the relationship.

You need to both be willing to give the other space and time away in order to grow. If you think that spending as much time together as possible is going to work for you, you may be shocked to see just how much that doesn't work in a long term relationship.

Be ready and be willing to support the interests of your partner so that you can both learn and feel nurtured in learning new things. And when you have new things to share, you never run out of things to say!

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE Getting Married

Is anyone ever really ready?

A very valid case could be made for the fact that you're never really ready for marriage and an engagement, but you try anyway. Things aren't going to be perfect, but they should feel perfect for you. In every relationship, there are going to be ups and downs, but it's what you do with those moments that will define you as a couple.

This is why it's so important to make sure you ascertain your readiness for marriage. A wedding proposal is a big step that shows you are ready to become committed to your partner, and what better time to explore your own feelings?

Getting engaged is a time of nervous excitement. It's a big step in any relationship, but by examining your personal readiness for marriage and the foundation of your relationship, it's going to feel like the right step!

Relationship Advice: Important Questions To Ask BEFORE You Get Married

Action For The Day:

Take some time to make a list of all the reasons why you want to get married. Do they match your partner's reasons? Are they valid reasons, or are you fulfilling some unmet and potentially selfish need?

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About The Author
Emily Kensington is a couples therapist. For free relationship advice and romance tips visit http://www.hearts-and-kisses.com

What You Ought To Know Before Getting Married?

It's the same story with the same fairy tale ending. Boy meets girl. Love. Kisses. Miss made Mrs. And everyone assumes that they'll live happily ever after. But do they? If you don't want your marriage to go wrong you should understand that contrary to popular belief, nothing goes right in marriage unless you are mentally prepared for life together. Pointers to help you.

Don't waver between, "Should I?" or "Should I not?"

Entering into anything half-heartedly can end in disaster. If marriage is not what you want, do not be forced or cajoled into it. Being single has its own charm - the freedom it gives one is a wonderful lure. If marriage is something you do want, be sure that you feel drawn to your partner-to-be. Do not be pressurised into accepting someone you don't have a liking for.

Avoid acting in a manner which says, "I'm easily available".

Flirtatious behaviour and ways which clearly show that you are an easy catch do not add to your worth. It may tempt boys to have some fun with you but it will send you hurtling down in their estimation. The shy hard-to-get miss has far more appeal.

Be wary of Internet romance.

It starts as a bit of fun and ends with all fun drained out of your life. In cyberspace one is anonymous and nobody knows what the real truth is. So, don't be dazzled with the novelty and charm of it, but look before you leap into cyberspace.

Talk over those cherished dreams of yours with your partner-to-be.

The girl's right to a home of her own, to take up a job and related matters do not figure in marriage discussions among elders. It is for her, therefore, to tactfully find out her partner's stand on matters that are important to her.

Fiona's was an arranged match and, when George told her they'd be staying with his mother, she spoke out her mind saying, "But I need my own space. If you can't give it to me, this marriage will be no fun and I'd rather opt out of it." They talked this over with his mother and came up with a solution acceptable to both. With prickly matters like these agreed upon beforehand, the marriage stands to gain.

Seek knowledge, for it is a safe guide while ignorance can misguide.

A girl needs to be mentally prepared to take up her new role as wife, daughter-in-law and mother, but sad to say, she often is not. There are matters - personal, health-related and sexual - that the couple, especially the girl, would like advice on. But parents treat these matters as taboo. In that case, the couple should seek information from books and on-line material or go for counselling. Sound knowledge is the basis of a sound marriage.

Being prudish and refraining from talking about intimate concerns can hurt a marriage.

Certain questions like when to start a family and how big it should be, did not arise in the past but are inevitable now as present-day couples are driven by personal ambitions and pressures of work.

Being very specific about such matters can take a load off the mind.

Newly-wed Wendy was deeply distressed and when pressed for the reason, told her husband about her fear that kids may stand in the way of her higher studies. On being reassured that they'd think of children only after she had fulfilled all her ambitions, she was relieved. Such assurances are important, for thwarted desires can give rise to negative feelings in a marriage.

Your appearance and looks can send your man's heart racing.

So, be graceful and dress decently. Look attractive and smart and, above all, maintain a trim figure even after marriage. Every man likes to show off his wife but a dowdy and badly-dressed woman is someone he'll cringe from. Dressing revealingly, however, is a big no-no. Though men enjoy seeing skimpily dressed women, they don't want their wives to dare and bare.

Remember the age-old saying "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach".

It was grandma's approach route. It has been tried out for years and has vintage flavour. Why not make it yours by learning to be a good cook?

A happy home can bind hearts together.

So, master the art of good housekeeping and make your home invitingly bright and warm. "I hate to go home because mine is a filthy place run by a scowling wife," complains a husband as he walks away in disgust.

That should remind you that winning or losing a battle on the home front depends largely on how bright your home is and how vivacious you are.

Courtship time need not be all romance and moonshine but can be reality-check time.

It can be an opportunity for the couple to learn about each other's strengths and weaknesses, loves and hates and anything else of importance. This will not only prepare them to adjust to each other's ways but will also enable them to use their own strong points to offset the weak ones of the other and vice versa.

Seeing her fiance spending lavishly on her, Karen knew that he was a spendthrift and pointed out that this could be a hurdle in their marriage. "I'm frugal," she told him," and am adept at saving. So, let me handle the household finances after marriage while you do something you are good at, like choosing the gadgets and seeing to their upkeep." Since it was courtship time, he readily agreed. As feelings are warm during this period, agreements are not hard to reach and small arrangements like this can help marriage click in a big way.

Know that lovers' bliss has to end some day.

When this happens, flaws are detected, irritation surfaces and anger erupts. Every couple needs to be prepared to handle this stage and to do this, they must be well apprised of certain time-tested ways of interaction that can be helpful. Here are some:

Cultivate the I-for-you and you-for-me attitude from the very start.

Marriage is neither dominance nor servitude but a partnership. So, partners should learn to forget the egoistic 'I' for the self-effacing 'we', in their relationship. Jane hated to forego her early morning sleep and her husband came to her aid by finishing off all the early chores. This pleased her so much that she readily overlooked the way he threw about his things untidily, and tidied up for him. Such a give-and-take attitude can lessen friction in marriage.

Learn to handle your partner's ego with care.

Marital relations deteriorate when egos are hurt. Egos need to be cherished with appreciation rather than be crushed by constant fault-finding. During courtship, appreciation is unstinted and everything is rosy. Couples should remember this and they should be firmly committed to putting into marriage what made life so great for them before.

Let's face facts. "My wife is a great cook and the dishes she cooks are always great!" brags Dennis to his friends - but he never tells her' so. "My husband has a nasty temper but is very helpful around the house," admits wife to everyone else except her husband.

This failure to give due credit to each other builds up resentment in both. Each day offers so many opportunities to every couple to say heart-warming words to each other. If you say them as you readily, did during your courtship, much that goes wrong in marriage can be set right.

This is because appreciation is a great mood-enhancer and a healer of emotional hurts. It can be the vitamin A that keeps your marriage in good health.

Add spice to your married life with some romantic moments.

When two heads come together with antagonism they will soon be at loggerheads, but romance has that magical ability to drive away unkind feelings from the mind. A few quiet moments together, a short walk in the moonlight, a soft touch, a lingering caress, a silent locking of the eyes, sweet nothings whispered into eager ears, do not take time but they make you forget hurts and keep hearts locked in love's embrace. So, give this magic of love a chance to keep things straight.

Learn to fight the right way.

Fighting is an inbuilt danger to marriage but it need not be an evil that destroys it. I once heard a lawyer and his wife fighting so violently that they could be heard all over the place. Minutes later, they were walking arm in arm to their car. That's how fights should be: just a release for pent-up feelings and forgotten in a flash.

Not dragging yesterday's faults of omission and commission into today's quarrel is important, for that would be nagging which really hurts and wounds. Nobody wants to lose an argument, so a little give and take or meeting your partner half-way is a great idea.

Marriage, as all will agree, is a 24 X 7 commitment, highly taxing and very demanding with no holidays allowed and no breaks permitted. Such a trying relationship will not flourish on its own.

Strange to say, so much time, attention and money are spent on the wedding, which is a one-day affair, while no thought is given to preparing the couple for marriage, which is an exacting life-long involvement.

With a little prior guidance and direction, a couple can be emotionally prepared and mentally conditioned to adjust and attuned to each other's needs in living together. When that is done, much that can go wrong in a marriage begins to go right.

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About The Author
Michael Douglas is a relationship expert and the webmaster of http://www.love-lectures.com where he provides dating tips and relationship advice for couples and singles in building healthy and successful relationships.

Before You Get Married

Back towards the beginning of the 2006 wedding season I got hitched. Since then I've been to half-a-dozen more weddings as a bunch of friends (and family -- mine is huge!) tied the knot too and let me tell you, going to all those weddings is a lot of work! Especially when you're in some of them. But actually being the bride or groom is harder by a longshot.

And so, although this year's wedding season is just about over, I've got a few indispensable tips for next season's lovebirds.

1 ) Write down every task that needs to get done for the wedding. Flowers, Favors, Reception Hall, everything. Be clear about who is responsible for each task. Most problems begin with poor communication, so doing this will help cut many problems off at the source.

2 ) Don't decide to take care of [insert any wedding-related task here] next week. You're going to let it go until the last minute and then you'll be kicking yourself and going nuts. This closes in on 100% probability exponentially as the number of tasks you put off rises. If you have more than 3 tasks you're not taking care of right away, one of them is almost definitey going to come back to bite you in the backside.

3 ) If you haven't set a date yet, set one as far off as possible and stick to it. Just remind yourself of #2 every week.

4 ) Be careful with your money. You'll be spending quite a lot of it between the reception hall, the florist, Band/DJ, etc. All that other stuff is local, but some of the stuff you can take care of on the web quickly, easily, and most importantly, cheaply. I recommend http://www.GiftsAndOtherwise.com for cheap groomsmen gifts and bridesmaid gifts. Their stuff is nice and they guarantee the lowest price. Since chances are you're not buying all that stuff right at this moment, bookmark that site for future reference so you don't forget. In fact, you should probably make a bookmark/favorites folder called "Wedding Resources" or something so you have all your wedding stuff in one place. I suppose that's tip 4 1/2 actually.

5 ) The final, and perhaps most important piece of advice I have for you is this: stay out of politics. I'm quite serious. The complaints and feuds that pop up between families, and yes, even future spouses, are inevitable. Oh, sure! Right now you're saying to yourself that won't happen to you because your family/relationship is different. Let me be the first to dispel that illusion. It'll happen to you so be prepared for it and come up with a couple of ready-made plans to calm flaring tempers.

I can't promise that if you follow the above guidelines that everything will be just swell and you won't have any problems, but at the very least you will have fewer. Good luck. :)

That's it!
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About The Author
Alex Daniels is a wedding consultant for Gifts and Otherwise, an online retailer of cheap wedding favors.

Managing your Finances Once Married

It’s important to plan for your financial future beforehand so you have idea of what to expect. Once you get married, most newlyweds’ open a joint checking/saving accounts

Below is a list of 4 easy steps to take when determining your financial future.

Step 1-Determine your net worth

Net worth is the difference between assets and liabilities. Make a list to figure out your net worth, make a list of all the things that you own and assign approximate values to each one. Then make a list of all your debts. Subtract these two numbers and you will have your net worth.

Step 2- Family accounting

You will need to decide who is going to manage your accounting. Is one partner going to manage the finances or will this be a shared responsibility? Are you going to choose to handle the finances independently, if not you will need to create a system of whose going to pay the bills.

Step 3- Set goals

Statistics are showing that 95% of senior citizens can’t afford to retire. Set goals and start saving for your future today. Create short-term goals and long-term goals. Make sure when you set your goals that you are actually striving for them so they should be adjusted to your spending lifestyle

Step 4- Plan for adjusting your finances once married

Many couples get married without having a financial plan in mind. It’s very important to discuss your financial situation before tying the knot that way everything is out in the open. If you don’t want to deal with thinking of financial strategies get help from a financial planner for any needed advice.


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About The Author
Nathan Dawson writes for http://www.marriedfinances.com and http://www.successfulmarriageresource.com, great online sources for marriage and finance information.

Adultery as Sexual Addiction: Should You Stay Married?

I outline 7 kinds of affairs in my E-book, "Break Free From the Affair." One affair, "I Can't Say NO!" is characterized by addictive tendencies. Infidelity (as well as pornography, strip clubs, online chatting, compulsive masturbation, etc.) may be a part of the sexual addiction.

Often the spouse or partner of a sexually addicted person intuitively knows of the addiction and the struggle his/her partner has with the behavior.

The partner often "feels for" his/her partner and is in a great quandary about staying in the marriage or leaving the marriage.


If you are a person facing this dilemma or know of someone who is, here are some pointed questions to help move more quickly through the decision making process:

1. Do you really want to save the marriage or are you just plain worn out? Does it seem that it would be much easier to just put up and tolerate the crazy kind of behavior you bump into with him? Are you emotionally fried and think of confronting him with your feelings and thoughts of ending the marriage as jumping into more emotional turmoil?

2. Do you really want to save the marriage or do you think you should hang in there for religious, moral or other “should” reasons? Most spouses who partner with those who can’t say no are very conscientious people. Is that you? Do you want to do the right thing? Are you willing to continue feeling the humiliation and facing the dangers because you believe you should stay in the marriage? Do convictions rather than practical and personal concerns dictate your decisions?

3. Do you really want to save the marriage or do you believe you should stay to protect the children? Do you think you are the only spouse who can care for the children? (You may be.) Or maybe your spouse cares deeply for the children and is a good parent. (That may be also.) Do you think that ending the marriage would make life immeasurably worse for your children? Do you fear for their welfare if you confront his behavior?

4. Do you really want to save the marriage or do you see absolutely no way out and are resigned to this marriage? You may experience a powerful pervasive feeling of being stuck. You may believe that you have tried everything and that it is in the best interest of everyone to stay where you are. Couple your weariness with your sense of being stuck and you may tolerate a great deal of disappointment and pain for the sake of the marriage.

5. Do you really want to save the marriage or do you see yourself as incapable of getting out? Your self-esteem may be at rock bottom. You may think of yourself as incapable of starting over, incapable of starting a new relationship, incapable of making the transition to a new life and incapable of making decisions on your own. It is not unusual for the spouse of someone who can’t say no to lose her sense of dignity and self-respect as he attempts to control, intimidate and dictate.

6. Do you really want to save the marriage or do you need to protect him? Do you see beyond what is there to him basic emptiness and fear? It’s there and you know it? Perhaps you fear what might happen to him if you do indeed leave? Will he be able to cope? What destructive path might he take next? So you hang in there, aware of his underlying pain and hope some day it will be addressed.

7. Do you really want to save the marriage or do you live in the fear that if you talk about leaving you will face danger? Perhaps you might face violence? You might face the emotional game playing at a new level of intensity? Does it seem wiser to hold back, not confront, not move toward change for fear of what he might say or do? Do you sometimes feel frozen with fear?

8. Do you really want to save the marriage or have you given no thought to how you might start over? This is a little different than the fear of starting over. Perhaps your life has been so wrapped around his or the care of your children that you have given little, if any, thought to you. Have you thought of your desires, your skills, your dreams, your hopes and your future apart from him? Or, apart from your children?

Take some time to seriously and thoughtfully address these questions. Once you do, you may experience a new found freedom to act and move in new ways.

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About The Author
Dr. Robert Huizenga, The Infidelity Coach, has helped hundreds of couples over the past two decades heal from the agony of extramarital affairs and survive infidelity. Visit his website at: http://www.break-free-from-the-affair.com.

Living in LOVE : Remembering why you married

The kids are yelling, the dog is barking, and you just found out that your spouse forgot to do the one thing that you needed them to do today…again! This scenario may sound typical for your family, or your scenario could be worse. Maybe you and your spouse are arguing more and more, and connecting less and less? You may have even asked yourself, “Is this marriage a mistake?”. Though you knew your life wouldn’t be like the Brady Bunch, you may find yourself surprised at just how much work a marriage can be – and its twice as hard if only one person is working at it.

If this is your situation, ask yourself why you married your spouse? I know it sounds silly, but really…why did you marry them? “Because we were in love”- well, that’s the easy answer-go deeper. See, life happens…kids are born, cars breakdown, jobs are lost, and through all of the ups and downs that are inevitable, its important that you remember why you married this person.

Reflect:

1. Think of the first time you saw your spouse. What is one thing that stood out to you about them?

2. Remember one time when you were sad, angry or disappointed and your spouse really came through for you. What happened? How did it make you feel?

3. What is one thing funny thing you know about your spouse that no one else knows?

4. Think back to your single life, before you met your spouse. What was it like? Now, really think – what is one small thing your spouse does to make you happy that you are here and not back there?

5. Remember a time when your spouse did something out of the ordinary and surprised you. What did that moment feel like?

6. Remember the first time you saw your spouse holding your child. How did that make you feel?

Remind:

1. In a quiet time when both you and your spouse are sitting together, bring up your first date. Bring up your happiest memories of this day.

2. Think of a funny story about when you first were married – good choices are dinners gone bad, ruined laundry, etc.

3. Talk about when you first became parents. What were your fears and hopes. Mention something positive about their parenting, and their connecting to your children.

Renew

1. If you eat dinner infront of the TV, stop. Gather together at the table with the TV’s off, so you can actually connect to your family rather than ‘veg out’.

2. Be nice. Okay, sometimes that’s easier said than done, but a little sweetness can go a long way. When you get up or go to another room, ask, “Can I get you anything?”

3. Be forgetful. Don’t remember every little thing your spouse has done that irritates you. Sometimes we hold on to the past because it feels familiar. Its not fair to hold the past against your spouse, and its not fair for them to do it to you. If they do, lead by example. Once they see you letting go of the past, they will also. As long as they know you are holding on to the past for future fight ammunition, they will do the same.

4. Touch. Place your hand on your spouse’s hand; lay your arm across their shoulders. An innocent touch can be just the softness and connection that your spouse is looking for.

5. Overlook. There is nothing gained by pointing out all of your spouse’s short comings, and when they have made a mistake don’t use it as an opportunity to put them down. Surprise them by ‘not noticing’ their mistake. No one likes to have their mistakes pointed out to them. We are all adults, and its likely that they are already aware of what they’ve done.

The point is, take some time to remember why you are in this marriage, take some self control and control your end of the marriage, and take the gloves off. Your spouse is not your enemy, and remember though children are the products of marriage, they are not the glue that holds a marriage together…love is.

Living in love with your spouse can sometimes be challenging, and that’s okay- that’s why the vows read for better, or for worse. With a little bit of effort on your part, and a partner that really loves you it is absolutely possible to live in love, and that is not only a great gift to yourself and your spouse. Living in love is a wonderful gift to your children.
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About The Author
Samantha Olea is a designer, business woman, wife, and most of all Mother of 2! Samantha founded a free parenting resource at http://TheBestMoms.com hoping to help every mom be the very best mom they can be! Samantha is also the owner of her own web design, graphic design, and hosting firm at : http://getwrappedup.com and AWU Gifts: http://Gifts.GetWrappedUp.com, where she helps Moms start their own business and work from their homes.

sam@thebestmoms.com

Friday, February 27, 2009

Engagement Tips for Guys

For all those guys out there who think that they are ready to get married we have put together a quick guide to go over to make sure that you are truly ready. The most common problem is that the gal in the relationship is ready to take it to the next level but the guy is clueless. Here are a few engagement tips for you guys.

Engagement Tip - Deciding When to Buy a Ring

Women have mastered the sweet science of subtlety (sometimes), but especially when they want something. Has she ever mentioned her favorite jewelry styles or pointed out engagement rings when you're shopping together? If not, take her shopping. It isn't difficult to steer yourselves towards the jewelry stores. If you want to be subtle, say you're looking for a new watch, but be sure to pause at the engagement ring counters.
Maybe she has a friend who recently became engaged. Does she like her friend's engagement ring? Why or why not?
Does she like diamonds? Some women don't. Sapphires and rubies are both durable gemstones that are often set into engagement rings for women who don't like to wear diamonds.

Engagement Tip - The Perfect Proposal

In a recent study the majority of married women reported that they believe that their spouse spent a significant amount of money on their wedding proposal but that the lack of originality in the proposal had left the women feeling disappointed. So remember that when it comes to marriage proposal ideas creativity is better than luxury.
Here is a creative example which doesn't cost any money, besides the ring, and is very romantic.
Every time I go to visit my girlfriend she is always playing the radio, and always tuned to the same station. Having the DJ of your girlfriend's favorite radio program ask her if she will marry you is another creative marriage proposal idea. You will want to make sure that you are aware of the exact time that the DJ will be sending your message so that you are able to ensure that you and your girlfriend are listening together when he makes the announcement. You could also arrange to have the DJ play a song that has a special meaning for you as a couple so that you can enjoy a dance together after she accepts your creative proposal.
We hope these engagement rings tips have been helpful, and we would love to answer any of your engagement questions. For more information and our phone number please visit http://www.engagement-diamond-rings.co.uk/
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http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/engagement-tips-for-guys-69459.html

Married Couples How to Have Great Sex

Many married couples feel as though all of the great sex in their life is behind them. So many people buy into the idea that great sex is not sex with someone familiar, but this is just not true! You can have great sex whether you have been together for 6 months or 50 years you just have to know what to do to contribute to a great sex life! Anyone who wants to have fantastic sex can! Married sex is different than sex outside of marriage, but it can be better if you understand the finer parts.

Tips for the Men

Most men do not realize that great sex actually starts in the kitchen. Say what?! Yes, it starts in the kitchen! If you want to have sex with your wife you need to be sure that you are in the kitchen helping out by washing the dishes or taking out the trash. Let her know that you care about her by giving her a break. If you want her to be in the mood you have to make sure that she isn't exhausted and by doing these things for her you are likely to get her attention as well as make sure that she is well rested!

Take your time. Most men want to hurry through the sex process racing toward the finish line. Women are different than men, so you need to think about sex a bit differently. Slow things down a bit by turning on some music, offering her a glass of wine, rubbing her feet, and then making your move. When you try to rush through it you actually turn her off! Slow down for great sex!

Treat her like she is special. When you have sex with your wife, pretend she is the girl that you saw when you were on your second or third date that you could not wait to get into bed with but you also treated like she was really special! This is something that a lot of men forget about, but a woman likes to feel special so be sure you make her feel that way!

Surprise her with little things. Bring her home flowers, her favorite candy, a new CD, or even offer to bring home or cook dinner. This will get her attention and romance will be in the air and you will be setting the stage for great sex.

Tips for the Ladies

Tell him what you want. Women often get frustrated with their husband's because they never seem to know what is wanted of them. When it comes to sex, tell them what you want, when you do this you will generally find that they will willingly oblige, making for a good time!

Make time for sex. Many women put sex off until the end of the day, which means that it will be less than quality time spent together. Instead of putting it off, make time for sex. You will find that it is very enjoyable if you make time for it, and that you will look forward to sex more often!

Flirt with your man! Seduce him! Men are very easy to seduce so simply do a little dance for him, flash your favorite body part, or even tell them to meet you in the bedroom! You can be assured that he will respond and that great sex will follow!

Indulge his fantasies. Men are very imaginative and they generally have a lot of fantasies, so why not indulge him? Dress up, role play, simply have some fun and add a bit of spice to your sex life! When you do this you'll find that you really can make married sex really great!
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Rodrigo Rehn is a Relationships Expert, Linux Systems Administrator, Web Programmer, PHP Developer and CEO of FaceRomance online dating for singles.

Invaluable Tips For Married Couples

Many people don't realize it until they get married, but being married takes work. Marriage is a lot more difficult if there are not two people carrying the load. In the ideal marriage the couple understands one another, the limitations that they both have, and of course what they can expect from one another. A marriage is a team and every team can benefit from tips to keep them on the right path.

Tips for a Happy Marriage

One of the best pieces of advice in a marriage is not to compete with one another in the job market, with parents, or even with the kids but in kindness. If you are always trying to be more kind to your spouse than they are to you, as this will set a great standard.

Never go to bed angry. This is an oldie but a goodie and that is because you should never allow for too much time to pass before you work things out and come back together. You should be able to rest your head at night knowing the person next to you is on your side.

Don't expect your husband or wife to change just because you got married. Too many people believe that once they get married everything will change. The person will still be the same, the only thing that will be different is their marital status.

Don't live in the same town as your families. Many married couples won't agree with this, but one of the best things that you can do for your marriage is to have only one another to lean on. When you do this, your marriage will grow closer and stronger than if you both have your families to lean on.

Money isn't worth fighting over. It doesn't matter how much you have, there will never be enough. Remember that in marriage and life it is people not things that are important.

Be dedicated to your marriage and your spouse but stay true to yourself. Many people become so wrapped up in their spouse and their marriage that they lose touch with who they are. Be true to yourself while staying true to your marriage for the best balance.

Make communication a priority. A couple that communicates well will be much closer and will have a lot less in the way of arguments and misunderstandings. Marriage is never perfect, but a relationship with good communication is much more happy than one without.

Stop sweating the small stuff. All of us have a tendency to focus on things that are not important in the grand scheme of things. Don't sweat the small stuff, when you live by this motto you'll have a much more comfortable life and happy marriage.

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Rodrigo Rehn is a Relationships Expert, Linux Systems Administrator, Web Programmer, PHP Developer and CEO of FaceRomance dating advice for singles.

Married Dating - Is it Worth It?

Infidelity is definitely a sin, but the fact doesn't stop some married people from dating other individuals. Maybe their marriage is on the rocks, or their marriage lacks excitement. Whatever the reasons are, there will always be spouses who will stray and date other people. The question is, are they dating single people or are they dating married individuals like themselves?

Believe it or not, but there are online services that cater to those married people who want to date outside their marriage. These married dating sites may sound immoral to some, but the service can be likened to escort services. They are discreet about it, and it will provide a safe haven for those who want to indulge in forbidden pleasures. Whether you like it or not, there are more and more "married but dating" individuals out there who'd like to break out of the monotony of their married lives and explore what's on the other side of the fence.

What exactly do these married dating sites offer? They allow married individuals to join a community of users who are also married and looking for dates and casual encounters. The sites offer them ultimate discretion and protection when using their services. How these sites work is pretty much the same as the standard online dating services; there are messaging services you can use to chat with other members, e-mail and match-making services.

Is married dating worth it? Depends on who you ask. Conservatives will automatically tell you that it's wrong and there are no excuses to cheat on your spouse; on the other hand, liberal-minded people will tell you that as long as it's done discreetly, it's all good. And discretion is where these married dating sites are all about.

There are lots of married dating sites where you can sign up and join.

1. WildMatch

The site promises sexy partners, single or dating. Quite simply, it's a place where people can look for sex and get it.

2. SexyAds
It features "lonely housewives" who need some loving, according to the website. The service promises hookups with no strings attached. It's an adult personal community where married people can go look for other married people and enjoy consensual pleasures.

3. MarriedSecrets

It's an online dating site which provides married people new ways to have fun. The site guarantees "a fun-filled affair with like-minded adults."

4. BangMatch

BangMatch is considered as one of the top adult dating sites around. Easy sex is their promise; it can't any simpler than that. The site further guarantees that they have a big number of women waiting to cheat on their husbands. Perfect for married dating encounters.

5. DiscreetAdventures
For married women and men looking for hush-hush encounters, the site provides a safe and anonymous way for married ones to experience illicit, extra-marital excitement. There are some nifty features, where a member can send kisses to other members, signifying that he is interested in them. It is also equipped with basics such as e-mail, instant messaging, and match-finder service.

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Want a FREE Award Winning guide on How To Get Women Quickly? Visit http://www.OnlineAttractionSecrets.com to receive Kelly's FREE quick start guide to married dating secrets!

The Secret Top Love Making Tips for Married Couples

If you are a married couple I am sure you have tried it all and you know everything there is to know about sex but the truth is you always can learn something new that can spice up your romance.

Learn How To Get : Top Lovemaking Tips

One of the most important things to a healthy love life is to make time for each other. It is hard sometimes with work and the kids to find quality time to be alone but it will help your sex life a lot if you make some alone time for yourselves. Maybe you should go away for a few days this will allow you to get away from your hectic day to day life.

Learn How To Have a : Mind Blowing Orgasm

You need to be honest with your partner and let them know if you are in the mood or not. Sometimes we do not communicate with each other and this can bring on stress in a marriage because we are not sure what the other person is thinking or feeling. Again it is a good idea to make extra time for each other so that you do not have to worry about work or the kids.

It is always better that when you are making love that you clear your head of the day to day activities that you normally worry about. If you are making love it is better to concentrate on each other than to worry about all the stresses of your life. If you are having a issue with your partner make sure that you work it out before you go away or make time for yourselves.

Most important is to remember to communicate with each other and don't be scared to try new and exciting things. So if that means getting away for the weekend or trying a new sexual position these things will help you have a great Romantic Sex Life.

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Bryan Burbank

Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Relationships and Kama Sutra. For more information go to: http://www.elovemagic.com
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