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#VIDEO – FINANCIAL INFIDELITY RECOVERY: RECOVERING FROM FINANCIAL DISHONESTY IN MARRIAGE#

Financial infidelity recovery: Introduction

According to Psychology Today, one of the causes of marital breakdown is dishonesty and betrayal. Dishonesty and betrayal can take many forms. It can include financial dishonesty in marriage. The purpose of this vlog is to look at this issue and how to get financial infidelity recovery in a marriage.

Financial infidelity recovery: Financial dishonesty in marriage

The first step is recognizing what financial infidelity meaning is. In its simplest form, financial infidelity is withholding from our partners about what we are doing with money that ultimately negatively affects the couple’s relationship. Examples of financial infidelity could be:

  • secret spending; perhaps as a result of an addiction;
  • secret savings account;
  • incurring secret debt; again could be a result of an addiction
  • cashing in a life insurance policy to raise needed funds secretly; and
  • letting a life insurance policy lapse due either to lack of funds or wishing to divert those funds without telling our partner

It is a lack of transparency with our partners about money in the relationship.

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Financial infidelity recovery: Signs of financial infidelity

Some of the more common signs of financial infidelity are that your spouse or partner:

  • wants to control all the finances and they don’t want any comments from you;
  • they also don’t want to share financial information with you;
  • you notice that there is a withdrawal from an investment account with no given explanation;
  • a lot of resistance to talking about money;
  • discovering the opening of new lines of credit or credit cards in your partner’s name, in your name or even jointly that you didn’t open yourself and had no knowledge of;
  • you find bills for items that you didn’t know about; and
  • your partner makes a big purchase without talking with you first

Such behaviour will most certainly erode trust in a relationship. This will create a huge blockage in every other aspect of the marriage, including intimacy.

Financial infidelity recovery: Healing financial infidelity

In order to even attempt financial infidelity recovery, there has to be willingness by either spouses or partners. Both will have to overcome the shame, humiliation and rage that the financial infidelity causes. The couple needs to understand what the real reason for the financial infidelity is and be dedicated to fixing that. Is it the result of an addiction such as shopping, gambling, drugs or alcohol abuse? Is it a result of a business loss or failure in the spouse’s business?

The next step is to have a team approach. Spouses or partners need to have complete access jointly to all accounts. One spouse should not be allowed to withdraw funds without the other one’s cooperation. The team has to set a realistic budget together, follow it and watch the cash flow plan. One of the cornerstones of the budget has to be to work towards being debt free. Finally, constant and open communication is key.

It may be that you will need a financial counselor for credit counselling to increase the couple’s financial knowledge. The counselor can also make sure that the recovery plan is realistic and implemented. Financial infidelity recovery is neither simple nor easy, but, it is possible if both partners are willing and committed.

Financial infidelity recovery: What to do if you cannot overcome your debts

The debt created by financial infidelity is more emotionally troubling than normal debt. The reason is one of the spouses had nothing to do with incurring that debt, yet they may be just as liable for its repayment. This creates extra challenges in attempting to resolve that debt.

Although the challenges are enormous, they are not insurmountable. If you and your spouse have too much debt because of financial infidelity or for any other reason, you need to contact a licensed insolvency trustee (LIT) now. Through financial counselling, a LIT can aid in getting the resources you need to fix the root causes of the financial infidelity and to deal with the debt that you and your spouse cannot repay.

You need the Ira Smith Team. We’re experts in dealing with debt. No matter how you got into difficulty we can help return you to financial well-being. Contact us today and free yourself of debt Starting Over, Starting Now.

FINANCIAL INFIDELITY 13

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GOOD DEBT BAD DEBT USING CREDIT WISELY: WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW

good debt, bad debt, credit card debt, balloon payments, APY – Annual Percentage Yield, debt, credit, expense ratios, cash flow, trusteeGOOD DEBT BAD DEBT USING CREDIT WISELY

Good debt bad debt using credit wisely: Introduction

Good debt bad debt using credit wisely are another one of those financial terms like Balloon Payments, APY – Annual Percentage Yield, Expense Ratios and Cash Flow that are often misunderstood. As we continue our series of confusing financial terms we thought that the holiday season seemed like the opportune time to explore the concept of good debt.

Good debt bad debt using credit wisely: What is good debt?

Typically we define good debt as borrowing money for something that will appreciate in value and increase your net worth. Examples of good debt are taking out a mortgage to purchase your home and investing in your education.

Good debt bad debt using credit wisely: What is bad debt?

Typically we define bad debt as borrowing money for something that will depreciate in value and does not increase your net worth. Examples of bad debt are credit card debt and debt for luxury items you can’t really afford like fancy cars and expensive vacations.

Good debt bad debt using credit wisely: Is good debt a myth?

The old adage that there’s no sure thing except for death and taxes is true. Although taking out a mortgage to buy a home and investing in your education seem like sure things, sadly that isn’t always the case. If you take out a mortgage that’s the maximum you can handle and the interest rates go up, how will you pay for your house? What would happen if you lost your job? Would you lose your house as well? Investing in your education isn’t a sure thing either. There are many PhDs waiting tables. A good education is no longer a guarantee of a good paying job. Good debt is a myth, unless you are also using the credit wisely. At the end of the day, debt is still debt and must be repaid.

Good debt bad debt using credit wisely: What to do about your debt?

Canadians are struggling with debt like never before. Whether you’ve taken on what you consider to be good debt or bad debt, it still needs to be dealt with. And, to deal with debt you need the help of a debt professional – a trustee. Dealing with debt is not a DIY project. Call Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. today and make an appointment for a free, no obligation consultation. We can give you back peace of mind and put you on the road to debt free living Starting Over, Starting Now.

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HOW TO GET ON A CASH FLOW BANK ROLL TODAY

bank, cash flow bank roll, cash flow, positive cash flow, negative cash flow, neutral cash flow, calculate cash flow, budget, ira smith trustee

HOW TO GET ON A CASH FLOW BANK ROLL TODAY

Cash flow bank roll: Introduction

By the nature of our work, we deal daily with people and companies that have not built up a sufficient or any cash flow bank roll.

Do you ever feel like you have a hole in your wallet? Does your company keep needing to borrow more and more? Where did the money go? Understanding and managing your cash flow, both in your personal life and for your company, can answer these questions for you. Cash flow is another one of those financial terms like Balloon Payments, APY – Annual Percentage Yield and Expense Ratios that are often misunderstood.

Cash flow bank roll: What is cash flow?

Cash flow is the money that moves (or flows) in and out of your account. Cash inflow can include anything that brings in money – salary, sale of assets like a house or car, interest from savings accounts, dividends from investments and the like. For your company, it is the sale of the goods or services that it supplies.

Cash outflow represents all expenses – mortgage payments, rent, utilities, car expenses, Smartphone, Internet, groceries, entertainment, transportation, (and for your company wages paid and other corporate expenses).

Cash flow bank roll: How can you calculate cash flow?

Cash flow can be calculated by a simple equation:

Total Income – Total Expenses = Net Cash Flow[1]

This equation will tell you if your cash flow is positive, negative or neutral.

Cash flow bank roll: Types of cash flow

Positive cash flow tells you that you have more money flowing in than flowing out. This is generally an indicator that you are living within your means. This is what produces the cash flow bank roll!

Negative cash flow tells you that you have more money flowing out than flowing in. This is a good indicator that you are living beyond your means and are accumulating debt – never a good sign and definitely no cash flow bank roll for you.

Neutral cash flow is more of a theory than a reality. It’s pretty impossible to have exactly the same amount of money flowing in as flowing out. This will produce the cash you or your business needs, but won’t make a cash flow bank roll for you.

Cash flow bank roll: Where did the money go?

Cash flow can tell you how much is coming in and going out but to decide where the money’s going you need to keep a detailed budget. This is something we strenuously recommend for everyone. A budget is a key element for maintaining financial health.

If you feel like you have a hole in your wallet or your company keeps needing to borrow more and more and are in a negative cash flow situation, give the Ira Smith Team a call immediately. With immediate action and a solid financial plan for managing your debt problems you’ll be on your way to financial health Starting Over, Starting Now.

NOTE: [1] Income and expenses have to be adjusted for non-cash items such as depreciation, amortization and items either sold or bought on credit. When you receive or pay out the cash, it then hits your cash flow formula.

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