Start saving
Once Breanne and Larry make a dent in their debt, they can start stashing 10 percent of their take-home pay in a high-yield savings account (check bankrate.com to find one with a rate of 5 percent or higher); they should fund that account with direct deposit or automatic transfers from their checking accounts. “Setting aside money will be hard at first,” Ulrich warns. “But with automated savings — which practically every bank offers — they won’t even notice it,” she says. “And they’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much money they save in just one year.” Breanne and Larry should also contribute at least 2 percent of their take-home pay toward a 401(k) retirement fund (log on to irs.gov/retirement to find out how to open an individual IRA if you’re not employed or if your employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan).
Make more money
The couple should also look for ways to bring in more cash. “Larry should work as much overtime as he can since he gets time-and-a-half, and perhaps Breanne can babysit for friends once or twice a week,” Ulrich suggests. “She could bring in an extra $100 or more a month.” Breanne and Larry can get creative, too, and reap even more monthly earnings. “Breanne likes to jar her own salsa,” Ulrich says. “If she prints some labels and sells the jars for $5, selling several jars a month will net them another $25 to $35 — a nice windfall for doing something she enjoys.”
With all this strict economizing, however, Breanne and Larry risk losing motivation and possibly going back to their old spend-y ways. That’s why they should pay themselves $50 each week in “fun money.” “Total deprivation can result in a binge later,” says Ulrich, “so it’s important for them to feel like they get the chance to enjoy some of their hard-earned money.”
Financial Roadblock
“We feel pressure to keep up with our friends!”
Money-smart solution
Wait to make major decisions until you’re both financially — and emotionally — ready.
When faced with the ever-popular question of “When are you going to have kids?” Breanne gets frustrated. “Even though we both want kids, I wish people would leave it be,” she says. “I feel rushed and sometimes guilty that we haven’t gotten pregnant yet.” Larry agrees. “Of course I want kids,” he says, “but I just don’t think we’re ready.”
They’re smart to know their limits, says Tessina. “It’s important for them to get their emotional connection and financial situation secure before having children,” she adds. “Parenting is stressful and demanding, and if they’re not ready they will have a very rough time.” Fact is, failing to prepare for all the consequences of big life changes — whether it’s buying a house that needs a lot of renovations or having a baby — will always put you in the hole. “But if you plan for life’s big moments,” says Ulrich, “you’ll never be surprised or weighed down by the price tag.”
Communications is key
When family and friends pressure Breanne and Larry to start thinking about having a baby or wonder why they haven’t started trying by now, the couple needs to maintain a united front about their relationship time line. Talking to each other openly about their future wants and hopes will help them eventually attain the life they desire, Tessina says. She suggests that they draw themselves a life map — with sections for home, kids, money, fun, and work. In each section, they should write down their dreams. “This will make their long-term plans more real to them,” she says — and will help them figure out when they will be ready to become a threesome. “Things will come up that neither one of them could predict, but that’s the part they’re good at,” Tessina says. “For example, they were able to make big decisions together when it came to buying and renovating their home. So long as they keep working to take charge of their future, they’ll be taking steps to create the family they always dreamed of having.”
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