gboyinwa ajomale

<h1>Every couple should always communicate in a relationship. Lack of communication can affect a lot of things in a relationship, including the finances in marriage.</h1>

In marriage, every couple needs to agree on money matters and issues.

When couples are on the same page when it comes to money and financial matters, this means their finances will keep growing steadily, which would make them achieve their financial goals.

Also, if <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/financial-blunders-married-couples-must-look-out-for-id7835715.html" id="dede67e2-a2dd-5b01-b1c4-61dee6e6f5f4">couples</a> never agree on money matters and issues, it would affect their finances negatively in the long run.

Here are five money matters every couple should agree on.

1. What are your values and priorities when it comes to your finances

Every single person has different values and priorities for their money and finances. This might cause <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/3-major-money-issues-that-can-cause-rifts-in-your-relationship-id7816514.html" id="57987d61-60d0-54f3-b4ad-ee2fd3a530b2">problems in couple's relationship</a> if they don't come to an agreement.

A partner might have an opinion must be spent to achieve so many things. while the other partner might see money as an opportunity for saving and investing.

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To avoid problems with this type of issues, it is important that couples discuss what the joint financial values and priorities should and they should come to an agreement.

2. Individual and  joint financial goals

Discussing and agreeing on<a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/5-financial-goals-to-help-you-through-next-year-id7716801.html" id="01dbe91c-e1e9-5171-9ae3-1658b4f6e5f7"> financial goals</a> in marriage is very important. Apart from your individual financial goals, you need to set joint financial goals.

This would make sure you are both on the same page with what you want to achieve financially in the future.

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As couples, you need to write out both your individual financial goals,  both short-term and long-term goals, then set your joint financial goals with both your individual financial goals.

The thing about debt in marriage is if a partner has an unpaid debt to pay, that debt automatically affects the other partner, this is why couples should find ways to manage their debt.

If debts are not cleared in time it would definitely affect the marriage finance negatively.

So couples need to agree on what they have to do to manage and <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/5-steps-to-help-you-get-out-of-debt-id7849485.html" id="79201181-8ab2-56ee-9fc8-d4e394d33ecd">get out of debt</a>.

4. How you plan to build your wealth

So many people are comfortable just living on a monthly salary. This might not be sustainable to build wealth. You must create possible ways to build your wealth.

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Couples should agree how they want to build and grow their wealth. It is important to save and also find valid investments opportunities.

5. How do you plan to manage emergencies

Unexpected things do happen. So the question is what is your plan to handle such situations?

Are you prepared for such situations and do you have any plan to manage such situations.

As couples, you should discuss how you want to handle emergency situations. Set up an <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/how-to-create-an-emergency-fund-id7477374.html" id="8f9d20db-cdad-5032-98db-eb53dadc38b2">emergency fund</a> for emergency situations.

Having an emergency fund prevents you from <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/how-to-stop-dipping-into-your-savings-id7562216.html" id="11a659a7-ee04-5596-be6f-e2c35f73980e">dipping into your monthly income and savings</a> to handle emergency situations.

Having an insurance is also very important for emergency situations.

If couples never agree on money matters and issues, it would affect their finances negatively in the long run.

5 money matters every couple should agree on

Due to the rise of unemployment rate in Nigeria, so many people have taken the bull by the horn and have become their own bosses.

But  the lack of sufficient funds makes it difficult for young entrepreneurs from <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/5-ways-to-boost-your-business-growth-id7530238.html" id="e47f0c55-e506-5cb6-80ba-0b20f0af41cd">achieving their business goals</a> but there are lots of businesses you can start with little or no capital at all.

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Here are business you can start with little or no capital.

Event planning is a growing business venture in Nigeria. Nigerians love parties and events, keying into this business won’t be a bad idea and it actually doesn’t require much.

As an event planner, your job is basically to plan events and get paid for doing so. The only thing you need to do is get different vendors for an event and make sure the event goes well all through.

You can start an event planning business by organizing mini-parties and event, making sure it goes well. Then as you grow you get to get more events to plan. The bigger the event, the bigger the pay.

If writing is your hobby and you really love to write, then you can set up a business just based on creating contents for blogs, website and magazines and you get paid regularly.

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As a freelance writer, you really don’t need to have a huge capital. As long as you have the important things for writing online which is a laptop and internet connection., then you are good to go.

Thanks to social media, you can become an influencer.

If you social media savvy, then you should consider becoming a social media influencer. Every business and brand today is going online to grow their business and they can’t do it alone without the help of someone who knows about social media platforms well.

If you have a good online presence, you really don’t need any capital to start up. With just a phone or laptop and good internet connection, you can become a social media influence

Lots of events happen every day which would need the service of an event host.

If you have the talent of speaking to a large crowd, being able to engage an audience, then you should think of starting an event hosting business. This business actually doesn’t need any capital. The only thing you is your ability to engage an audience.

Another business you can do which doesn’t require any capital is tutoring.

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If you have the ability to teach people and they find it easy to understand you, then you should give it a try.  It now on depends on the age range you’ll love to tutor.

The lack of sufficient funds makes it difficult for young entrepreneurs from achieving their business goals

Business you can start with little or no capital

<h1>There are reasons why people cannot save money. Most people believe in the idea of saving money but still, a lot of people don’t have still have the good habit of saving money.</h1>

It is quite tempting to keep spending without thinking of saving which is why we should find a way of saving money or more money.

There are some lifestyle habits which could be the major reason why people cannot save money.

Here are 5 major reasons why people find it hard to save money.

Having no financial goal is one of the major reasons why people find it hard to save. You need to set financial goals you plan to achieve.

To achieve your financial goals, it is important to start saving.

2. You live an expensive lifestyle

Some people make enough so much money that they forget to save money. Rather than save money, they prefer to keep upgrading and living the expensive lifestyle.

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This is not saying you should not live a good life, it just means you need to take saving seriously.

You don’t want to have to always depend on your next salary <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/7-things-you-should-not-do-when-you-are-broke-id7551066.html" id="547b4eb5-282a-5f28-928c-fd052a399371">when you are broke</a>. Having a savings can prevent such from happening.

If you have the habit of always saying “I will do it later” then you might have a big problem when it comes to saving. Procrastination is a bad habit which can creep into your finances.

If you procrastinate, then you need to find a way to automate your saving.

Automating your saving will leave you with no choice but to save.

If people keep asking for financial assistance from you, it might be difficult for you to have a serious saving.

If you don’t learn how to say no to financial request and assistance, you should really learn to do so.

Don’t be the one to carry other people’s financial burden, which in return would affect your own personal finance and savings

5. You have no motivation and you don’t see the need to save

There are some people who don’t feel the need to save, as long as the money keeps coming in they are good, especially when everything is going on fine.

This is a wrong <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/ways-to-have-a-positive-mindset-towards-money-management-id7664576.html" id="437bed34-3d57-5e7c-8b9c-695c4347e285">mindset</a> which should change. If you have no motivation or you don’t think of what the future holds, then you might not have a reason to save.

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Picture yourself in a bad scenario and see reasons why you need to save. If nothing motivates you, that should

Here are major reasons why people find it hard to save money.

Major reasons why people find it hard to save money

<h1>Though we are about to end the year 2017, it is not too late to start cultivating good money habits.</h1>

These money habits will help your finance positively in the new year, which is why you need to start now to prepare your mind for the <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/5-ways-to-fix-up-your-finances-in-2018-id7657739.html" id="60352d3f-782a-508a-83cc-efba6b55a12d">year 2018</a>.

You should try to set at least a major goal financially which you plan to achieve in the new year. It could be a short-term financial goal or a long-term financial goal.

Setting a financial goal before the year runs out will be a great step towards financial progress in the <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/5-financial-goals-to-help-you-through-next-year-id7716801.html" id="8951ec42-b6af-5624-8fb1-736375151c63">new year 2018</a>.

Though it is less than two weeks for the year 2017 to end, you can still create a budget for the two weeks left in the years to help you manage and control your spending.

Having a budget has a way of making you get better with your money and saving habits.

Before the year ends you should find time to keep track of and know what your net worth is.

Your net worth is the addition of all your assets excluding your liabilities.

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It is very important to know your net worth because it helps you look forward to a greater financial picture.

It would be a good idea if you can check your net worth before the year runs out, to prepare you for a better financial year

You need to start taking note of how you spend money. This is a good way to gradually quit from your bad money habits and lifestyle.

You can get a small notepad where you jot down all your spending after a whole day, just to know how much you have spent and how you can improve your spending.

You need to cultivate the habit of getting organized. It might be difficult to handle your finances if you are not organized.

Before the start of the day, take at least 30 minutes each morning to get organized. Use that period to sort out bills, receipt and other money and financial related issues.

You should make it a habit to save at least ten percent out of your monthly income. This is a good money habit you should have before the year ends.

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It would definitely prepare your mind towards saving more, which is good for your finance.

You can’t just assume to know it all when it comes to money and finance. You should make it a habit to read and research more on financial matters.

This helps to develop and sharpen your financial skills better, making you have better money habits.

Here are 7 money habits you can start before 2017 runs out.

Money habits to cultivate before the year runs out

<h1>As we are about to enter into the year 2018, you should be thinking about how to fix up your finances and getting it on the right track.</h1>

These are ways you can improve your finances in 2018

Just like having <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/how-to-make-financial-resolutions-towards-2018-id7580595.html" id="7f91bf63-4aee-5fa5-ad66-8a8a25db507d">new year resolutions</a> on certain aspects you want to change when it comes to your lifestyle, the same goes for budgeting, which is the first new year resolution you have to take when it comes to your finance.

Have a budget mapped out to help you manage your income properly. If you don't have a budget, 2018 is the year for you to take your budgeting seriously.

If you already have a budget, you should review and check how well your budget worked for you and find possible means to adjust it and make it better.

Mere saying you want to save money for something is not enough, you need to know your short-term goals and long-term goals you want to achieve within a different time range.

In the new year, try to get your<a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/7-saving-tips-to-help-you-achieve-financial-goals-id7621630.html" id="dd0c7562-975d-5771-9ac4-1eb0054ec7c4"> financial goal </a>in check, not just saying what you want to achieve but putting it down in writing and start spending with a purpose.

Clearing your debt should be done even before this year runs out.

It won't be advisable to carry debts into a new year because it might drag down your finances, making it difficult to achieve financial goals.

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So you need to clear debts before the new year to have a clean financial sheet.

If you have only one source of income, you should try to look for another or more source of income to help you improve your income and also your savings.

Having another or more source of income helps you not to depend on only just one source when situations arise.

If you don't have an emergency savings or your emergency savings is not functioning, you need to create and have a functioning <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/how-to-create-an-emergency-fund-id7477374.html" id="8f9d20db-cdad-5032-98db-eb53dadc38b2">emergency fund</a>.

Emergency savings helps you to fall back on a reasonable amount of money when you are down financially.

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Plan in the new year to create a substantial amount you can put into an emergency saving and grow it as each month goes by.

In less than six weeks from now, the year 2017 will be over, how do you want to make your income, saving, spending, budget and finance in general?

5 ways to fix up your finances in 2018

<h3>Problems can come up in a marriage due to money issues money, which can really affect a marriage.</h3>

Marriage can be all fun but when money and finance are involved between a couple, it becomes a different ball game. Money issues and problem in a marriage can lead to incessant fight which can lead to divorce.

The best way to avoid money issues in marriage is good and constant communication between spouses.

<h2>Here are money issues that can affect your marriage.</h2>

As couples, you will definitely have different personalities. You don't just create a personality overnight, you develop your personality from a young age.

When it comes to money management, your personality can also influence your money decisions, which might affect couples if they are not on the right track financially.

For example, if a husband spends a lot and the wife is more of a saver, issues are bound to happen. It is important to know each other's personality when it comes to financing before getting married.

When it comes to how much money couples make every month, and who makes more money or only one spouse is working and has an income, then it is possible for issues to come up in such relationships.

When one spouse makes more money than the other, then there is a high chance the spouse has an upper hand to make and give money decisions.

As a couple, you should work hand in hand when it comes to money and finances.

Accumulating debt can cause serious quarrels between couples which is a <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/7-spending-habits-ruining-your-life-id7369563.html" link="null">bad money habit</a>.

If couples bring in debt into a marriage then problems might occur in such marriage.

Debt can affect financial growth in a marriage which would not <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/banking-tips-7-types-of-bank-account-operated-in-nigeria-id7332963.html" link="null">accounts </a>be good for a marriage so before you get married, discuss with your fiance or fiancee about debt and how you can sort it out before or after getting married and also try to avoid getting into debt not to cause financial quarrels.

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Just as it is good to have joint and also separate as couples, this could still cause quarrels between spouses.

Since there is a joint account, couples feel their significant other doesn't have to know how they spend the money in their separate account. But this can stir up resentment in couples.

It might feel like you don't consult your spouse before taking financial decisions and you don't respect your other half.

Not consulting your <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/money/making-financial-decisions-with-your-spouse-id7452701.html" link="null">spouse</a> before taking financial decisions would not only cause resentment but it might also affect the saving power of couples which might affect future financial goals.

To avoid this, before taking a financial decision on your separate and personal account, consult your spouse before doing so, to avoid money issues.

Third parties involvement in couple's finances can cause serious issues in marriages.

For example,e. the husband wants to get a new car for his mother and wants to dip into the finance of the family or the wife wants to pay for her brother's overseas trip.

This might become a serious issue.

To avoid such, spouses should plan how much they want to spend on big projects for their extended family which they have to agree on.

Marriage can be all fun but when money and finance are involved between a couple, it becomes a different ball game.

5 money issues that can affect your marriage

<h1>Are there natural things you can substitute for added sugar in your everyday life?</h1>

If people are given a chance to consume added sugar without any adverse effect, Trust me, people would consume a whole lot of added sugar.

But with the side effects of taking added sugar, studies have found substitutes that can replace added sugar and give feed your taste buds with something sweet and might be less harmful to your health.

When talking about substitutes for added sugar, artificial sweeteners are not good substitutes which means they are out of it. They are as bad as added sugar and even add more calories to our meal.

Here are good natural substitutes for <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/why-added-sugar-is-bad-for-you-id7633474.html" id="13d0d374-f937-5b65-846c-90249a47bb87">added sugar</a>

Honey is a natural substitute for the replacement of added sugar in your daily meal. Honey which is always in a golden and has a thick texture is produced by honey bees.

Honey contains vitamins and minerals and full of antioxidant. It has been proven that high level of antioxidants generally, lowers the risk of diseases.

It is also a good substitute for diabetic patients. Though it contains fructose, it is less harmful than added sugar and also has lesser harmful effect on metabolism and blood sugar level

Maple syrup is another substitute for added sugar. gotten from the sap of maple trees. Just like honey, maple is also in a thick form, with a dark brownish and golden colour.

Maple syrup contains a healthy amount of nutrients, ranging from calcium, iron, manganese, potassium and zinc. It also contains over 20 different kinds of antioxidants. Studies are presently going on to see if maple syrup has anti-cancer agencies to prevent people against cancer.

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The syrup though has it health benefits, also high in sugar, but won't raise your sugar level as quick as that of added sugar but will definitely do so, which means maple syrup should be taken in moderation.

Date syrup are another natural substitute for added sugar. Date syrups comes in a dark brownish colour.

Date syrup is rich in fibre, potassium, copper, manganese, magnesium, vitamin and have a high level of antioxidant. Unlike added sugar which has various side effects, dates have so many benefits.

The good thing about date syrup is that it works for almost everything. It can be used to treat constipation, intestinal disorders, diarrhoea, promotes good heart health.

It has also been proven that date help in sexual dysfunction, so you should give it a try.

Citrus fruits include oranges, lime, lemon, grapefruit and a whole lot of other citrus fruits.

Citrus fruits contain a high level of vitamin c and several antioxidants which helps to fight antibodies.

You can use citrus fruits as a substitute for added sugar. Not all citrus fruits have a particularly sweet taste, some have a tangy sour taste. Skip the soda and soft drinks which contains a lot of added sugar and go for natural freshly squeezed citrus juice which has health benefits.

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It all depends on your choice of citrus fruit. Naturally fresh squeezed juice would start you to a good day.

Cranberry juice is a good substitute for added sugar if you have a sweet tooth. Cranberry juice is gotten from cranberry fruits.

Cranberry juice is not only sweet,  but it also has its health benefits. It contains antioxidants.

Studies have shown that cranberry juice helps against and treats urinary tract infections, also helpful in the prevention of stomach and respiratory disorder. It is also good for diabetic patients.

Added sugar has no nutritional value, there are various other natural and good substitutes for added sugar which have health benefits.

Studies have found substitutes that can replace added sugar and give feed your taste buds with something sweet and might be less harmful to your health.

5 natural substitute for added sugar

<h1>If you have a problem with your savings and you feel you it is affecting your finance negatively, you need to find ways to get serious with your savings.</h1>

Here are five ways to take your savings more serious

The first thing to do is to pay off your debts. That is the initial way of saving more.

It would take a lot of dedication to pay your debts without accumulating more because it is possible to be broke after settling all debts and get tempted to go and borrow some more, which takes you back to owing debts.

You should set realistic saving goals you want to achieve within a time range.

It helps you to work towards something instead of putting money into your savings without any reasonable reason.

Not only does it help you save with a purpose, it also makes it hard for you to just take cash out of your savings without any reasonable reason.

Instead of always finding it hard to take constant trips to the bank to deposit money into your savings account, you can just automate your savings.

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A certain amount out of your income is removed automatically every month and put into your savings account. Not only does it make it stress-free, it saves you the stress if you forget about your monthly savings. Let the bank handle all the stress while your savings improves.

You could save more by saving your loose change.

Instead of spending your change on things that don't amount to anything, you can put your loose change into a jar and whenever it's full you deposit it at the bank.

5. Keep your savings in a different account

It is very easy to spend money that is quite accessible. But if you don't have easy access to cash, you can't spend. So it is best to put your savings in a totally different bank which is not the bank you use for day to day transactions.

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Not only must it be a different bank, it shouldn't also be close to where you stay. If you get tempted to withdraw out of your savings, you would think twice before you do so because it is not only in a different bank but the bank is also not nearby.

It can be challenging to save when you have so many financial responsibilities you need to meet but you should set your mind to get serious about saving.

5 ways to get serious with your savings

<h1>You just started a small business and you are looking for a way to attract new clients and customers. Are there ways you can get creative to make your small business noticed?</h1>

Here are five creative tips you can try out to get your small business noticed.

If everyone is facing a particular direction, you can decide to face a totally different direction.

Never copy your competitor's strategy because it might not work for you. That's a great mistake you should avoid.

Create a different strategy to promote your small business. An example is during any festive period, things are always expensive. Instead of selling at an expensive rate, you can give an affordable price deal to buyers. Take it as doing a black friday for every festive period.

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You shouldn't just go online and begin opening new social media accounts for each platform.

Find out which social media platform is good for your business and maximize the potential of such social media.

Don't just go online to post pictures and put a caption, it is very likely your business never attract new clients. Engage your social media in meaningful conversations which would draw their attention to your business brand.

You can also use the online ad platform of social media apps to boost grow your online presence which also showcases your brand to a vast number of social media users.

As long as you have a small business, it is perceived you have great knowledge of such business.

So you can open a blog or a vlog. Depending on what suits you. Create online content for online users and share tips on by using a blog or vlog.

You can put up tutorial and advice videos online. Use video channels like youtube and picture and video social application, instagram and share your expertise on such video platforms.

ALSO READ: <a href="" id="40ed2f83-81ad-53a9-a3c5-14954242a317">How to start a small business</a>

Don't share all your tips and secrets but share basic stuff that online users can relate with. Show people how to do basic stuff.

gboyinwa ajomale

Articles written by the author

5 money matters every couple should agree on

Business you can start with little or no capital

Major reasons why people find it hard to save money

Money habits to cultivate before the year runs out

5 ways to fix up your finances in 2018

5 money issues that can affect your marriage

5 natural substitute for added sugar

5 ways to get serious with your savings

5 creative ways to get your small business noticed

How to start a small business

Consider these things before you spend money

How to make financial resolutions towards 2018

6 ways to save money eating out