Stick Together

Financial strain is a leading cause of divorce. The irony is that divorce costs so much money that it only makes finances worse—much worse. In 2007, it was reported that the costs of a divorce in the U.S. ran from $10,000-$20,000 (If you have that kind of money to throw around I can think of some better ways to use it!)

Then there is the expense of two residences—two of everything. If you have children there’s the expense of child support, which many of the people who are ordered to pay, consider to be far out of proportion to their income. Those who are designated to receive it—often don’t and end up having to pay the costs on their own. Alimony may be another expense of divorce in your state.

Difficult times are the times to stick together as husband and wife. Be patient with each other. Listen. Remember what drew you together in the first place. I’ve heard marriage teachers say that if you can persevere; your marriage will get better sooner than you think (they say that statistics bear it out). But it does take a conscious choice.



I’m in no way an expert on this subject but I do know that divorce costs money in addition to tremendous pain. I do, however, know how to stay married through difficult times as my husband and I are on our thirty-second year of marriage.

From the Farm

This is a great time to save money on fruit and vegetables at your local produce stand or farmers’ market. Not only are you supporting what are usually local “Mom & Pop” businesses but you’ll find a considerable savings over the grocery store prices—sometimes as much as a dollar a pound! You’ll also find a greater variety, which can include shell beans (I especially like the magenta mottled “October beans”) and heirloom tomatoes (though they tend to be a good bit more expensive, I hear they taste delicious). Community abounds in such settings, you never know who you’ll see from “way back when” and they can be very international. Sometimes you can even find home baked bread or flowers there. Take along your cloth or reusable plastic shopping bags and help them keep their prices down.

mixed media painting "Terrific Turnips" by Joan C. Thomson (c)

Save the Electric & Save the Dollars

A little planning and patience can go a long way in electricity and natural gas savings.
•Run your dishwasher only when it’s full
•Refrigerators run more efficiently when full & when opened as little as possible
•Use lids on cooking pots so the heat doesn’t escape—the food will take less fuel to cook it and you won’t get as hot!
•Keep closets closed (unless you’re airing them out). Remember when you’re mother told you that your family couldn’t afford to “air condition the great outdoors”? the same applies to your inner closets.
•And speaking of the “great outdoors”, what your mother said is true (see above). When you open outer doors, be brief.