A new twist on “Home Economics?”
“Spousanomics: Using Economics to Master Love, Marriage, and Dirty Dishes”
By Paula Szuchman, and Jenny Anderson – (Random House; February 2011)
Since its recent release, this book has been soaking up gallons of ink in newspapers, magazines and blogs. No, we haven’t read it yet, but with the upcoming event “Loving Every Minute with You” - And finding more time for “Us” on our spring calendar, the subject naturally piqued our interest.
To begin, the authors ask:
“Have you ever gone to the “dark place” after a fight about who does the dishes more often?
Do you worry that your job is destroying your marriage?
Have you ever sat up at night, remembering how much more fun married life used to be?”
(From www.spousanomics.com)
Let’s just assume that many couples could answer “unfortunately, yes” to at least one of these questions at some point in their marriage.
So what comes next?
“Spousonomics” looks at every marriage as “its own little economy with a finite number of resources” (hours in the day, money, sex drive, patience, skill, etc.).
Makes sense….
The practical solution, according to the authors, is to apply “bedrock economic principles” to the home front (thereby maximizing the returns on the largest investment of your life), such as:
It works, some say, because it “doesn't discriminate between the sexes, and eliminates many of those who's 'right' and who's 'wrong' judgmental arguments.”
$eeds of Prosperity
for farm and family
March 5 & 6, 2011
10:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.
From dealing with economic challenges to having more than one generation in on financial decisions, the pressures for farm families are distinct from other families.
“When your “job” is in your backyard and your career is a way of life, prosperity has a different definition,” said Jami Kaiser, Marathon County Director for thinkmarriage.org
Jami sat down with the Brownfield Ag News for America in Marshfield and discussed the issues and the upcoming “$eeds of Prosperity” workshop designed especially for farming couples. Listen to the interview here: http://brownfieldagnews.com/
“Money and finances are among the top “hot spots” in many marriages. And today’s economic climate hasn’t helped…especially for farming families,” Kaiser said.
What can help is learning how to:
“To be clear, this is not a financial seminar, Kaiser said. “Nor is it about how to handle your finances. It is a special workshop specifically designed to help farming couples learn how to effectively deal with the unique challenges of financial and farm issues.”
Thought provoking, non-judgmental and upbeat, the “$eeds of Prosperity” workshop examines the emotional connection couples have in handling financial matters; identifies some of the most common roadblocks; and provides valuable insight into individual perspectives.
“Designed to acknowledge the deep pride and rich traditions of family farming, the upcoming “$eeds of Prosperity” workshop helps couples increase peace in their family, and provides an opportunity to work together, as partners, toward greater prosperity,” Kaiser said.
The workshop is held at the Holiday Inn & Suites on 1000 Imperial Avenue in Rothschild.
