Prior to the wedding couples treasure independence and economic equality. Solid marriages require, instead, interdependence and mutual exchange of resources.
The free-spending habits of one partner during cohabitation may be perfectly acceptable, even pleasing to the other. Once married, that may not be the case. Saving for a house, anticipating babies and providing for their children—s future college education now become more pressing issues. For the budget-conscious spouse, use of precious dollars by the other for unnecessary items or extravagant ventures will surely cause conflict.