Regardless of how you organize your finances, it’s vital for both partners to communicate openly and honestly about spending and saving, for both people to have a say, and for both to have at least a basic understanding of where your money is going. Posted by Julie Coleman, premarital counselor, of Before Your Wedding Day in the Minneapolis, MN metro area.

How do modern couples manage their finances — and how does that affect the status of women, their long-term financial security and even their career prospects?

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Even if you’ve been living together before getting married, stressors after the wedding can take their toll. It’s just as important if ever (if not more so!) to communicate openly and work as a team. Posted by Premarital Counseling in Minneapolis with Julie Coleman of Before Your Wedding Day.

That first year of marriage so intrigues researchers because they know how precarious those early years are. Most divorces happen in the first five years, Bradbury says, which is also when couples often finish education, move or have a child. “There are a lot of really interesting transitions that happen in that period, and a lot of relationship dissolution also.”

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Romance isn’t just about chocolates and flowers–to make it last, it must go much deeper. Posted by Julie Coleman, premarital educator in the Minneapolis area, with Before Your Wedding Day.

1. You need good sex, which means you need to learn how to give each other pleasure by telling each other what you like (and do not like). You need to learn to read each other moods and try to establish a positive emotional climate.

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You wouldn’t want to embarrass your partner in person, so it’s best not to do it online, either. Posted by Minneapolis Premarital Education with Julie Coleman of Before Your Wedding Day.

“There is a standard negotiation that takes place in lots of relationships, but now there are multiple audiences watching,” said Lee Rainie, the director of the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project, which explores technology and human behavior.

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Honest marriage advice…some of which might surprise you. Posted by Counseling Before Wedding with Julie Coleman of Before Your Wedding Day in the Minneapolis, MN metro area.

1. Laugh if you can. In any fight, there is one person who is really mad, and one person who isn’t that mad. That person should deflect the fight. Make a joke, do something stupid or corny, make the other person laugh.

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A few tips for keeping your holidays happy. Posted by Before Your Wedding Day Premarital Counseling in the Twin Cities, Minnesota metro area.

1. The Financial Argument: “We can’t afford that gift!”

2. The Over-sharing Argument: “I can’t believe you told your brother I am unemployed. I wasn’t going to tell anyone until I find another job.”

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How to create a “cycle of gratitude” in your life (and relationships). Posted by Marriage Preparation in Minneapolis with Julie Coleman of Before Your Wedding Day.

An easy exercise to focus the mind is to make a running list of brief grateful moments. Many people have been very successful with what is known as a “gratitude journal” for this purpose.

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Some strongly worded advice about marriage: Don’t do it if you’re not in it for the long haul! Posted by Premarriage Education in Minneapolis with Before Your Wedding Day and Julie Coleman.

“I do” doesn’t mean “I may”, it means “I will.”…”The Fine Line Between Marriage And Divorce,” is one of the most-viewed posts in Huffington Post history.

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Would you take part in this new trend? Posted by Julie Coleman, premarital counselor at Before Your Wedding Day in St. Paul, MN.

They’re also perfect for same-sex unions and engagements. If a man proposes to another man, he can also have a mangagement ring ready to go.

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Christmas with his family? Thanksgiving with hers? Here are some tips to help you balance holiday time with both of your families. Posted by finding premarital counselor in Minnesota, Julie Coleman of Before Your Wedding Day.

1. Talk about what you want as a couple before involving anyone else. Make sure you and your new spouse (or fiancé) are on the same page before one of you commits to anything or anyone.

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