Remarriage: Member Guide

Love is even lovelier the second time around, and solid financial planning is even more important if you plan to remarry. This time, it’s likely that both of you have accumulated more assets, possibly more debt, and more responsibilities than before your first marriage. In addition to the issues involved in combining your financial lives, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect yourself financially and manage any issues from your past experiences.

Icebreaker
What financial issues are most important to you in your remarriage? Caring for your children from a previous marriage? Having a more combined (or more separate) financial life? Dealing with inheritance issues?
Things to Talk About
Learning from your experiences is what life’s all about. When you remarry, you take with you the lessons gained from your previous experiences of marriage. By analyzing the financial aspects of your previous marriage and your goals for this one, you can carry the wisdom you have gained into your new adventure in love.Pick the question your Club finds most interesting. If there’s still time, pick another one — or make up your own!

  • What are your financial goals for your new marriage? What do you want to build together?
  • What discussions have you and your intended had about finances in marriage?
  • What ideas do you have to make this transition go more smoothly?
  • How is dealing with financial issues different this time around?
AS USUAL
Catch Yourself Doing Something Right
Share your success with your fellow Club members:

  • What Money Miracle (unexpected good fortune) did you have since last meeting?
  • What did you do since last meeting to become a Money Star (a money-savvy gal in charge of her finances)? How did you further your financial goals?
What Will You Do Today?
Choose one Small Step to do before next meeting, and pledge to the group to do it. To select that 15-minute exercise, ask yourself these questions:

  • What are your money challenges before the next meeting?
  • What do you need to focus on?
  • What is the next step in your life — and what can you do before the next meeting to achieve it?

Don’t drive yourself crazy. Remember, you can do anything for 15 minutes! For example:

  • I will schedule a real and deep discussion with my intended about financial issues in our marriage.

Or

  • I will plan a date to talk with other women who have remarried and learn from their experiences.

Or

You get the picture. This is like Goldilocks. Don’t try to do too much. Don’t try to do too little. Do it just right.

More Cool Ideas for Small Steps.

Money Attraction Affirmations
Choose one affirmation to motivate you to achieve your goals, something like:

  • I am growing and learning.
  • I gain knowledge from all of my experiences in life.
  • I can create positive life changes.
  • I am opening my heart to new experiences.
The Money Zone for Next Meeting
Cast your vote: Does your Money Club want to stay in this Money Zone, or do you want to move on to the next Money Zone?
If your group decides to Stay in the Zone then, future Money Star, check out these fun articles so you can discuss them at your next meeting. Even if your group decides to move to the next Zone, you still can explore these on your own.Are You Ready for Marriage? 
Discussion questions:

  • How did your sweetie respond to your request to take this quiz?
  • What did you learn from comparing your answers?

Managing the Move-In Situation
Discussion questions:

  • What issues do you and your intended need to discuss before you move-in?
  • Is moving in a stepping-stone to marriage for you or is it a final destination? Have you discussed this with your beau?

Planning the Wedding
Discussion questions:

  • How will this wedding be different than your previous wedding(s)?
  • Have you and your soon-to-be spouse discussed wedding plans?
Just For You
Before the next Money Club meeting, do the Just for You Exercise called A Step-by-Step Guide to Tying the Knot.Don’t skip a meeting if you don’t get this done. Half of life is showing up, Money Clubs included. You can tell the group you didn’t get it done, and they will encourage you (not bug you) to make a date to do it soon. Discussion questions for your club meeting:

  • What is the most important thing you learned from your previous relationships?
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of your current partnership?