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Temptation is tough to avoid sometimes, especially when you're married with no children. It's understandable that you want to buy everything you see when you can't forecast expenses. However, planning foran uncertainfuture is important whether you have children or not, so it's a good idea to avoid making lavish purchases without properly preparing fora financial future.

The good news is there are ways to get what you want in your marriage while still sticking to a sound budget. For instance, you can:

• Set aside money for fun entertainment. If you love going out as a couple, or even spending time with your friends, you can set aside a weekly or monthly budget for doing so. This way, you can have your fun without making the mistake of spending aimlessly when you could be saving.
• Create a "whatever" fund. Sometimes you don't want to feel too restricted or confined when you're working hard for your money. Sometimes it feels good to make spontaneous purchases rather than having every aspect of your spending planned. This is why it's good to create a "whatever" fund. You can set aside a certain amount each month that allows you to buy whatever you want as long as it doesn't fall outside of the budget.

The main thing you don't want to do is blow all of your money on fancy cars when you can have a very nice one that gets you from Point A to Point B.Or eat outevery night at different restaurants because you're too lazy to cook - make an effort in the kitchen and place the rest of your money into a bank account or investment. There are so many emergencies that could come up without notice that you don't want to be financially unprepared when you have an ample income.

You don't have to give up everything you want in lieu of a budget. However, if you spend time saving and safely investing your moneyinstead ofbuying lavish items, you could have a pretty nice nest egg in only a few years. Living frugally in your younger years means a lavish retirement when you're ready.

Getting married to the person you love is an exciting venture that brings with it the promise of many happy days. But of course, we all know that marriage is not solely based on love; much of what makesa marriage work involves good communication and planning for the future.

If you've just gotten married then you may not already have children. However, if you plan to down the line, or have other joint goals, it's good to make as many plans for the next steps of your lives together as possible. Some of these plans might include:

Buying a Home

A large number of couples marry without already having their first home. Because they're just learning to pool their incomes and spend jointly, it can sometimes take a while to make major decisions like buying a home right away. However, if you think you might eventually have a family then it's not a bad idea to begin planning for your first home together.

First, you'll want to sit down and think about what your budget is for your home. How much can both of you contribute to monthly payments, including mortgage payments, taxes, homeowners insurance and maintenance costs? Then, it's time to think about what you both like. Of course, you may not both agree on everything, but it's fair to say that you should both at least like the house and neighborhood. These are all ideas you and your spouse should communicate about as you plan for this major purchase and life adjustment.

Early Retirement

Many people do not consider the prospect of early retirement as an option in their lives, but just about anyone could do it if they make savvy financial decisions throughout their lives. The possibility of doing so as a couple is even greater if your money is pooled, saved, and invested properly. While there is no perfect plan to get to early retirement, there are options out there to make this dream a reality. So if you both think you'd like to try, it's good to make financial plans as early in the marriage as possible.

Having Children

Not all married couples mutually agree to have children, but the majority do. As you know, if you do decide to have children, your expenses will be amplified many times. You will need to think about day-to-day expenses such as baby formula and food, bottles, diapers, clothes, etc., as well as medical costs during the pregnancy and beyond. And of course, day care, school expenses, and more will fit in. But even bigger will be how having the child will affect your marriage. Will you be able to compromise on babysitting? Who will feed the baby in the middle of the night? These are all ideas that you want consider as you discuss this plan for the future.

These are just a few things that married couples have to think about when planning for the future. But the more you choose to talk things through early on, the better the chances are that you'll have a stress-reduced marriage down the line.

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• No minimum balance required
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• 3 withdrawals allowed each month
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• Free e-statements
• 1...

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