Hi Reader,

When Wayne and I were focused on paying off debt and building our emergency fund, we noticed that the tighter things felt financially, the more resentment started creeping in, because every little purchase turned into a conversation and every small treat felt like it needed justifying.

So we changed one thing — we each set up our own account just for fun money, with a set amount going in by standing order every month, no questions asked and no explaining.

If Wayne wants to spend his on a new gadget, that's his account and his decision, and if I want to spend mine on something he'd never choose for himself, that's mine.

It sounds like a small adjustment, but it made a real difference to how we felt about the bigger plan, because paying off debt and building financial security shouldn't mean living like nothing is ever fun again — that's not sustainable, and it's not what God wants for your marriage either. He wants joy, not just discipline.

Having a little money that's just yours, completely guilt free, actually makes it easier to stick to the bigger plan, because you're not white-knuckling your way through every month — you've got something small to look forward to along the way.

If you want to try this, it's as simple as agreeing on an amount that works for your budget and setting up a standing order into a separate account for each of you — and then, this is the important part, not asking each other about it.

Try it this month and see what it does for you.

Speak soon,