Statistically if you survive the first 5, then the likelihood of divorce goes WAAAY down. I can tell newlyweds..and aspiring ones..that the first year really IS the hardest one. We fought all the time over the debts we brought into the marriage.

If there’s one thing that can make your marriage happier, it’s to start the marriage with little to no debt if possible and to have LOTS of talks about how you each look at money BEFORE you get married so you know where each other is coming from. If you think “money is to spend” but spouse thinks “pinch every penny” (or vice versa) it’s a recipe for fireworks. You have to come to a reasonable compromise you both can get behind fully.