Money and Marriage Advocate Announces Premarital Financial Counseling for Engaged Couples

Denver, CO, July 29, 2010 --(PR.com)-- His account, her account or our account? What if one spouse brings more debt into the marriage than the other? Money is one of the top reasons for divorce – everything from a communication breakdown about money, lack of money and even overspending. The National Directory of Marriage and Family Counseling states, the divorce rate in America has hovered around 50% since the mid 80s, however, research has shown that premarital counseling reduces that number by 30%. Premarital financial counseling is essential for a sound marriage.

According to a survey by the Association of Bridal Consultants, more than 67% of newlyweds believe the most serious conflict in their first year of marriage is over money. Dr. Taffy Wagner, Certified Educator in Personal Finances and Money and Marriage Advocate announces she is now offering premarital financial counseling. “Its time for engaged couples to be proactive about money and marriage issues versus reactive once they say “I Do”, return from the honeymoon and find out their spouse brought debt into the marriage or even has less than perfect credit.”

Motivational Speaker Zig Ziglar said, “Many people spend more time in planning the wedding than they do in planning the marriage”. According to the Work and Wedding survey recently released by TheKnot.com, WeddingChannel.com and ForbesWoman.com, “Working brides spend an average of 10 hours a week planning their wedding – nearly 30% of which is done at work. For 20% of working brides, more than half of their wedding planning is done at work.”

Wagner says, “A marriage is the responsibility of the bride and groom. Engaged couples should be paying attention to how money discussions are received and handled as they are planning the wedding which truly is a glimpse into what will happen once married i.e. compromise, secrets about money, arguments or even avoidance. Couples should view this as a test run.”

“Dr. Taffy Wagner is not only an informative, inspirational, motivational financial expert, she is a no holes barred transparent communicator who gives advice that lines up with the issues and problems of today's world. She really understands where life's financial struggles can lead you and through her instruction and counsel she will ensure that you do not fall prey to these struggles. We have found her advice to be on a practical level that can be understood and applied into practice by millionaires and college freshmen alike. She gives you what you need for your situation in a compassionate way that shows you both the choices that got you to where you are as well as the solution that will take you to where you want to go.” - Marcus n Gloria Whyte, Life Coaches & Relationship Counselors For Healthy Marriages©

Every month of the year, couples are standing together taking vows and saying "For Richer or For Poorer," yet they are not equipped with life skills to handle unexpected financial circumstance, which lead to for poorer. Therefore, money fights begin and some choose to exit the marriage forgetting about those vows. Wagner says, "Engaged couples must do something different in 2010, if they want a different result when it comes to marriage and not be a divorce statistic. Communicating about money openly and honestly during the engagement is the beginning of a financial journey together that can continue throughout the marriage with reduced stress, greater teamwork and a common goal."

"As a premarital educator with a particular passion for the "undiscussed topics," Taffy is a great asset to the education and wedding world. Using her personal experiences and undying enthusiasm, she manages to talk about money issues that few others do. She focuses on emotions, relationships, and a lot of the “gotcha” moments many of us experience as individuals and in our married lives when it comes to shopping, lending money to family or friends, etc." - Elizabeth Doherty Thomas, President, The First Dance, LLC

Wagner welcomes couples that are committed to seeing their marriage and money work to contact her for premarital financial counseling. She is also available to provide ongoing support and assistance.

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