Suzanne Barlyn
Yes, the solution may seem tedious. But it's just like cutting the lawn -- someone has to do it, and, in this case, you can't hire a gardener.
Talking is especially important if one person handles the bill-paying, while the other does not -- a common situation in many households. Don't whine about being the family bean counter. Instead, give your spouse a tool that he or she can use. Pay your bills online, and print out a list of what's going out in the coming weeks. Then, set up online banking alerts to notify your spouse via email of the checking account balance, low balances and overdrafts. And if you're really desperate for time -- and next week's paycheck -- tell your spouse via email that pricy lunches are out of the question. Financial-planning sites such as Geezeo.com can help keep track of how you're spending and budgeting your money. Summer is an especially tempting season during which to sit by the pool and forget about your family finances. Yes, you and your spouse may want to relax right now. But avoidance only increases your chances of meeting Ed McMahon's fate during your autumn years.
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