Nichole and Jason Crews brought more than love into their new marriage -- they both came with thousands of dollars of debt.
Jason, 33, was unemployed for about 6 months a few years before they got married and had racked up about $14,000 in credit card debt and $7,000 in auto loans. Meanwhile, Nichole, 28, had about $20,000 in student loans to pay off.
During the first six months of their marriage, the couple didn't broach the subject of paying off their debts and kept their finances separate.
"We were both stubborn and thought we could each individually take care of this issue on our own," said Nichole. "Jason is very laid back and knew he needed to tackle his debt but didn't seem worried. I'm more outgoing and chatty and say most things I'm thinking so he always knew my concerns and I didn't always feel like we were a team when it came to debt -- so we definitely bickered about those things."
But that tension eased once they eventually merged their debt and had their paychecks deposited into one bank account. "Combining our money was a great thing for us because we're more accountable with what we spend and how we spend it," Nichole said. "Now, instead of being 'his' debt and 'her' debt, it's 'our' debt and 'our' money."
The Crews' cut back on unnecessary expenses, but still give themselves a cash allowance of $100 per person every two-week pay period. When grocery shopping, they buy whatever meats and vegetables are on sale. Nichole has even curbed her daily Starbucks stops, opting instead to make coffee at home.
While the couple still bickers occasionally about where each dollar should be going, Nichole said she thinks it will make their relationship stronger in the end.
"Bringing debt into a marriage stinks but I think if you and your spouse sit down and really talk about your respective concerns early on and what goals you have, you can make a plan," she said. "Sometimes I find it so un-romantic and not very `newlywed-ish' but it's even less romantic to worry about money all the time, too."
Many same-sex couples face financial difficulties because the federal government doesn't recognize gay marriage.
