Before you walk down the aisle, having a conversation about finances and credit can help ensure a future of wedded bliss, with minimal disagreements over money. Transparency over finances builds trust in a relationship. It can also help you establish your mutual monetary goals, whether you want to buy your first house together, start a family or send one of you back to school.

Any pre-nuptial money talk should start out with credit and debt – specifically how much debt each of you has (student loans, car loan, credit card, etc.), how you plan to pay it off, what your credit scores and reports look like, and how you will use credit to achieve your goals in the future. Enrolling in a credit monitoring membership can be a good way to start the dialogue. Web sites like freecreditscore.com make it easy to review your credit scores and reports online. You’ll be able to share with each other a comprehensive overview of your current credit status and credit history.

While you’ll each have your own credit score and report throughout your marriage, your credit – just like your lives – will be linked for better or for worse. Your combined credit history will affect what kind of interest rate you can get on mortgages, car loans and virtually any other kind of credit you’ll need in the future.

Once you’ve talked about credit, cover these conversation points next:

* Saving and spending habits – Is one of you frugal to the point of being cheap? Is the other a habitual spender? Balance is important in any marriage, and hopefully your saving and spending habits can balance each other. While you should always save as much as possible, you also don’t want to overly restrict yourselves so that you feel deprived or pressured. Ideally, you should save enough to cover several months of expenses and spend enough to cover your essential needs with a little left over for some fun.

* Retirement plans – It’s never too early to start thinking about how you’ll fare financially during retirement. Discuss any retirement accounts each of you already has. If neither has any retirement plan set up, consider consulting a financial planner to find out what type of plan might be best for your needs and goals.

* Spending styles – How will you fund big purchases, like new furniture or your honeymoon trip? Will you save until you can pay cash for big-ticket items, or will you use credit? Consider and discuss how you’ll pay for bigger purchases.

* Taxes – Talk about when you’ll file your taxes and consult with your accountant to see what filing status – such as married filing jointly, married filing separately or head-of-household – will benefit you the most.

* Marrying your money – Will you establish a joint account and deposit both your incomes there? Will you maintain separate accounts? Or perhaps you’ll establish a household budget account and both contribute a portion of your monthly income.

* Budgeting – Create a household budget right away and decide how you’ll manage expenses. Who will write the monthly checks (or handle the monthly online bill pay chores) to cover household expenses? Will you each pay personal expenses like car payments and student loan payments from separate accounts?

By discussing potentially conflict-causing monetary issues like credit use, credit scores, credit reports, spending and saving before you exchange vows, you can help ensure you start your married life together with a clear vision of how you’ll use money to make your lives better.

Watch & listen instead of reading:

There has been a lot of debate about what the government is doing to stave off a so-called double-dip recession. Some say it will cause runaway inflation; others say it’s simply delaying the inevitable. Robert Prechter says DEFLATION is the true concern.

It’s true that Robert Prechter is a polarizing figure in the world of finance. Some write off his technical analysis theories as esoteric market hocus-pocus. Others swear by the natural order of the markets, which is why they believe Elliott waves and Fibonacci are the purest forms of technical analysis.

Whatever your opinion, it’s hard to deny that Prechter is on to something. Virtually no one has called the crisis like him.

MarketWatch columnist Peter Brimelow recently reported, “Over the past three years, Prechter’s bearishness paid off handsomely. It’s up an annualized 5.25% against negative 8.12% annualized for the total return Wilshire 5000.”

Some might say it’s luck. Those familiar with Prechter’s writing call it unique insight.

After all, who else warned (as early as 2002, early enough to take action) about the impending tops in real estate, commodities and stocks or about defaulting pension plans, municipal bankruptcies and massive bank failures — plus a huge rally in the once-”doomed” U.S. dollar?

Only Prechter.

Read Prechter’s candid answers for free, and find out where he thinks the markets are heading next. Access the 20-page report now from the link below.

Download This Free Report Now

“Home and auto insurance needs change at every stage of life,” says Charles Valinotti, senior vice president of QBE Regional Insurance, which underwrites property and casualty coverage through the General Casualty, Unigard, Farmers Union Insurance and QBE Agri brands. “Seniors may not realize that downsizing from a home to a condo or driving less could have important implications for their insurance.”

Tip one: Make sure you have enough contents coverage, especially if you’ve downsized.

If you’ve moved from a home to a condo or apartment, there’s a good chance you’re underinsured. While you may have moved many of the same valuables with you, your rental or condo insurance policy probably carries much less contents coverage.

For example, a homeowners policy on a $200,000 house probably carried about $150,000 in contents coverage. While most of your stuff is the same as it was in your house, the renters policy on your two-bedroom apartment may only come with $25,000 in contents coverage.

If your coverage isn’t enough to replace your home’s contents in case of a total loss, talk to your agent about increasing your limits.

Tip two: Schedule your valuable items or collections.

The average cost of a diamond ring is almost $4,000, but a standard homeowners policy would probably only cover $1,000 if it’s lost or stolen. If you have antiques, china, silverware, jewelry or other valuable items or collections, ask your insurance agent about scheduling it (also called floater or inland marine coverage).

This coverage extends the limits on specific items, beyond what your standard policy includes. It also extends the causes of loss from “named perils” for reasons like fire, theft or lightning to an “open peril” basis, which includes dropping your diamond into the running garbage disposal.

Tip three: Take a driver safety course.

While some states mandate that drivers 55 and older take a driver safety course, in other states it’s optional. While your state might not require you to take a course, you may get a significant discount on your auto insurance for opting to take one.

Tip four: Tell your agent if you’re driving less.

Maybe you’ve stopped driving after dark. Or you now only drive in town. If you’re driving a lot less these days, you may be able to change your driver status on your auto policy from primary use to occasional use. And that could mean lower insurance rates.

“Strategically defaulting – deciding to stop paying your mortgage regardless of your ability to actually carry the debt – will have a far-reaching, long-lasting impact on your ability to secure future credit,” says Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education for global information services company Experian, one of the three large credit reporting companies that receive and update consumer credit histories which are scored to help predict risk. “It’s by no means a move to be undertaken lightly.”

About 355,000 borrowers strategically defaulted in the first half of 2009, according to research conducted as part of the Experian-Oliver Wyman Market Intelligence Reports. Interestingly, Experian and Oliver Wyman found that the homeowners most likely to strategically default were also those with the highest credit scores.

While it may seem like a good move to simply stop paying and walk away from a bad investment, keep several factors in mind when you consider strategic default:

* It’s very final. Strategic default will lead to foreclosure by the lender. Foreclosure will negatively impact your credit report and scores. In fact, only bankruptcy will affect your scores more adversely than foreclosure.

For more information on just how severe the impact can be, VantageScore LLC recently completed a study that evaluates the effect that foreclosures, bankruptcies, short sales, and various mortgage programs have on consumers’ VantageScore credit scores.

* The default will remain on your credit report for seven years. Since credit scores are based on information in your credit report, the foreclosure will greatly impact your credit scores during those seven years. Securing other credit at reasonable terms and rates will be very difficult, if not impossible, during that time.

* Potential lenders aren’t the only ones looking at credit reports these days. Insurers, employers and even cell phone companies are considering the creditworthiness of those who want to do business with them. By impacting your credit report, a strategic default may affect your ability to get a job, secure insurance and enter into important service contracts.

* Fannie Mae, the government-controlled mortgage giant, announced on June 23 policy changes that will make you ineligible for a new Fannie-Mae-backed mortgage if you walk away from a current mortgage that you actually could afford to pay. The ineligibility will last for seven years from the date of foreclosure.

* Finally, in some cases, the debt that foreclosure “erases” may be recorded as income, which means you will have to pay taxes on it.

“Strategic default may seem like ‘walking away’ from a bad debt, but it’s really anything but,” Sweet says. “While you will no longer have to pay the actual debt, you’ll almost certainly ‘pay’ in other ways, in the form of lowered credit scores and a drastically curtailed ability to secure future credit for the next seven years. Higher interest rates and unfavorable terms could end up costing you more in the long run than continuing to pay on an upside-down mortgage.”

And at the same time, no matter which aspect of the financial crisis you consider, it’s clear that most of the so-called "experts" who were behind it are men. So to all of the women who haven’t yet explored the world of investing, now is the time to get started, with some helpful tools that can be found online.

Here are a few recommended resources for investors at any level to get started:

Hedgeye.com – Many individuals are familiar with "stock picker" sites such as TheStreet.com or Fool.com, or trading platforms like Scottrade or E*Trade. Sites like Yahoo! Finance are also popular sources of investing ideas and market news.  Tradingfives.com is a technical analysis site that covers the exotic trading methods of W.D. Gann and J.M. Hurst

Money Girl – This podcast hosted by financial guru Laura Adams provides short and friendly business, personal finance and investing tips with the main goal of helping listeners live a richer life. It is designed for new and experienced investors as the podcast discuses an array of topics, such as common investing mistakes, shorting stocks and improving your credit score.

FINRA.org — The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) prides itself on being a trusted advocate for investors. Its Web site provides useful tools and calculators such as a Risk Meter, Savings Calculator, 401(k) and IRA Minimum Required Distribution Calculator and a glossary of investment and financial terms.

Whether planning for retirement or seeking a fruitful hobby, women have many reasons to consider investing. They tend to live longer, are more likely to require long-term care services as they age, and often take more time out of the workforce to care for family members. These financial realities have significant implications for how women plan for their financial futures, which is why it’s so important to identify trustworthy resources that provide accountable insights one can act upon.

As Americans age, staying healthy and as independent as possible is a big goal. Whether you suffer from a chronic ailment or the usual aches and pains brought about by the stresses of everyday life, there are plenty of health and wellness options to consider this year.

Consider helpful tools and practices that will help you live more actively, comfortably and with additional peace of mind. Always check with your doctor before beginning a new health or fitness program.

* Massage: Aches and pains are, unfortunately, signs of getting older. A massage can help you feel much better and enable you to be more active.

* Personal trainer or gym membership: There are many forms of exercise to choose from no matter your ability level. Consider enrolling in a yoga class, stretching class or starting sessions with a personal trainer. Staying active is a great way to help you stay healthy and live more comfortably. If you do not want to spend the extra money for a gym membership consider a Weider home gym.

* Empower yourself: Anyone with a chronic lung disease such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), emphysema or asthma knows how limiting a chronic respiratory disease can be – especially when you’re worried about blood oxygen levels. But, staying active is important and monitoring blood oxygen saturation levels is made easy with a personal fingertip pulse oximeter such as Nonin Medical’s GO2.

The GO2’s accurate pulse oximetry technology is trusted by doctors worldwide and can help you better manage a condition like COPD. With reliable blood oxygen saturation readings, it can provide additional peace of mind during activities ranging from daily living to your supervised fitness program. A doctor can prescribe the GO2 during a patient visit.

* Eat healthy: Because so many medical conditions have diet restrictions, your diet may be somewhat limited. Try a new cookbook, ask your friends for recipe ideas or sign up for a cooking class, making sure that you stick with any diet restrictions you might have.

Make health and wellness a priority this year and reap the rewards of increased independence and peace of mind.

With national home prices still 30 percent below 2006 levels, homeowners are looking for affordable ways to boost the value of their homes without breaking the bank.

Repairing or replacing the roof is one of the most noticeable improvement projects homeowners can take on. And although the effect of a new roof is stunning, the price tag doesn’t have to be.

Going back to the basics when it comes to getting a new roof can employ the “genius of ‘and,’” according to TAMKO Building Products President and Chief Executive Officer David Humphreys.

“It’s a way of describing how you can successfully achieve two or more goals that might not seem compatible,” Humphreys says. “For example: you can add value to your home and save money doing it.”

This is possible in roofing through the reliability, durability and affordability of the traditional asphalt shingle. For completeness you should compare the installation and durability of a standing seam metal roof.

Reliability
And when it comes to roofing, the standard asphalt shingle could be the fastest path to a new roof, while still maintaining reliability, durability and affordability.

Asphalt shingles have more than 150 years of proven severe weather durability as a roof covering. But as a waterproofing agent, asphalt’s history goes back much farther.

Kent Blanchard, vice president of roofing manufacturing for TAMKO Building Products, says asphalt and tar have been used as a waterproofing agent for thousands of years, including by the ancient Egyptians.

Durability
Asphalt shingles are made from sheets of fibers, coated in asphalt (a petroleum by-product) and a variety of granules. The result is shingles that are light-weight, easy to install and low maintenance.

Two of the most common types of asphalt shingles are three-tab and laminated.

Three-tab asphalt roofing shingles are made from individual layers of fiberglass mat, a base material made from glass fibers to add strength. The mat is dipped in asphalt and coated with fire-resistant granules.

Classic three-tab asphalt roofing shingles generally include a 15- to 30-year warranty and are one of the more cost-efficient roofing product options.

Laminated asphalt shingles are a newer option and increasing in popularity. These shingles have added dimension because of extra layers of fiberglass mat, which create a wood shake-like appearance.

Some laminated shingles have a 30-year limited warranty, like TAMKO’s Heritage 30 line. The shingles are also wind and fire resistant.

Affordability
Despite the expansion of roofing products over the last 100 years, the most popular and affordable option continues to be the asphalt shingle.

Asphalt shingles continue to dominate about 80 percent of the U.S. market. It’s estimated that more than 100 million roofing squares are laid on U.S. roofs each year.

And a new asphalt roof is in everyone’s price range. With a variety of types of asphalt shingles, three-tab or laminated, asphalt roofs are available for as little as one-third of the cost of more expensive tile and wood roofs.

Asphalt shingles afford the consumer the luxury of a large home improvement without the luxury price tag.

A new roof can add immediate value to the home if the owners are looking to sell, but can also help prevent costly leaks while they still live there.

The health of a roof can affect the energy efficiency and utility bills of a house. In today’s world of energy and cost-consciousness, the roof has become an asset that homeowners cannot afford to overlook.

Remember this annual roof maintenance checklist:

* Clean all debris off the surface of the roof, including anything that has gathered behind skylights, valleys or pipes. Debris can hold water and speed up roof deterioration.

* Check flashing for holes and repair or replace if needed.

* Seal flashing if needed.

* Check for loose or damaged roof shingles. Apply sealant under the loose shingles.

* Remove and replace any damaged shingles.

* Trim overhanging trees to prevent future roof damage from animals or limbs.

You might find the acronym confusing, but the APR (annual percentage rate) on your credit card is a number you should be familiar with. It’s important because it describes the cost of your credit balance on a yearly basis. A healthy understanding of what determines this rate can help improve your financial decisions. You can save by assessing your current rates against competing cards or new offers, creating responsible spending and payment plans, and avoiding actions that might trigger a higher rate.

“It’s important for you to understand your annual percentage rate when managing your credit. You want to be sure you know just how much you are paying each month on your loan,” says Jennifer Ehresman, Bank of America Global Card Services customer experience executive. “Being knowledgeable about the factors that affect your APR will save you money in the long run.”

Here are some tips to educate yourself about your credit card rate:

1. Read the account agreement. If you are already using a credit card or comparing different credit card offers, pay attention to the details. Make sure you know how much you are paying in interest and how it is calculated. Some cards calculate APRs, while others do periodic rates (a monthly finance charge or a daily charge). But some cards vary these interest rates based on your use of the card, such as a 14 percent APR for purchases, but a 15 percent APR for cash advances.

2. Variable APR versus fixed APR. The account agreement tells you if your card has a variable or fixed APR. Variable means that the interest rate can fluctuate up or down from the set amount – called the margin – based on a reference rate like the U.S. Prime Rate (level charged by most banks to their most creditworthy customers). For example, when the U.S. Prime Rate increases, your variable APR can also increase. Fixed APR rates don’t fluctuate in this way, but they are not guaranteed – they can be changed based on market conditions. The good news with a fixed rate is that you will be notified first.

3. Higher or lower APRs. Which works best for you? It might always seem that having a lower APR is better, but not if you are a person who pays your balance off every month. If that’s the case, then you should be more interested in other fees that might apply to you – like cash advances or annual fees – because the APR doesn’t affect you.

4. Calculate how much interest you pay. If you maintain a balance every month, take a moment to look at how much you are paying in interest. The statement should tell you, but you can figure it out for a specific day. Your DPR (daily periodic rate) is calculated by dividing the APR by 365 (the number of days in a year). That number is multiplied by the account balance that day and by the number of days in the statement billing cycle, as shown on your statement. This figure might be a wakeup call, because what you pay in interest could be extra money in your pocket.

“Almost everyone reaches a point where they need a loan – whether for a mortgage or a start up business,” Ehresman says. “Stay in control of your credit and you will be able to secure a loan with a more favorable interest rate, thus enjoying the benefits that good credit management offers.”

You’re not just imagining it – you really can feel winter’s chill in your bones, especially if you’re among the 45 million Americans who have arthritis. Coping with this often debilitating disease can be even more challenging when the weather turns cold, making joints feel even more stiff and painful.

In fact, rheumatoid arthritis that first appears in the winter or spring may be more severe than arthritis that emerges in summer and fall, according to a French study of arthritis patients. In addition to cold temperatures associated with winter, viruses – which are more prevalent during winter – may play a part in the increased severity of winter-onset arthritis, the study concluded.

But winter’s chill shouldn’t drive you indoors until the spring thaw. Just the opposite, says the Web site AthritisToday.org. Walking outside in the winter has many health benefits for arthritis sufferers, including burning calories and helping you feel positive and motivated, the site says. Plus, inactivity is often associated with an increase in pain.

So how can you stay active and manage your arthritis this winter? Here are a few tips:

Stay warm and dry. For those chilly rooms get a portable Coleman heater.

Dampness and cold exacerbate arthritis pain. Dress warmly and avoid dampness. If you live in an area with particularly damp weather, equip your home with a dehumidifier to take excess moisture out of the air.

When walking outside, wear warm, waterproof footgear and gloves. Layer your clothes for warmth and breathability, and choose fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin.

Stay active

“Use it or lose it” definitely applies to arthritis sufferers. Exercise can help keep joints moving, strengthen muscles connected to joints, preserve bone health, and improve your overall health and fitness, according to www.Arthritis.org, the Web site of the not-for-profit Arthritis Foundation.

If you are less active during winter, arthritis can cause even the smallest movement to be painful. Maintain your prescribed exercise regimen, under your doctor’s guidance, as much as possible during winter months. The movement will help fight off the stiffness that cold weather brings to your joints. Learn the 5 components of physical fitness.

Get help

See your doctor regularly throughout the winter and consider using aids that are designed to help ease arthritis pain in the colder months. For example, IMAK’s Arthritis Gloves provide mild compression and warmth to help relieve the increased joint pain and swelling associated with winter.

Designed by an orthopedic surgeon, the gloves can be worn indoors during daily activities and outdoors under your regular gloves. Made of cotton Lycra, the gloves have open fingertips that allow freedom to touch, feel and grip. Visit www.IMAKproducts.com to learn more.

Keep to your diet

Our diets tend to become “heavier” in colder weather as our bodies instinctively crave warmth-generating and fat-building fare to help us stay warmer. But it’s important to maintain a healthy diet throughout the winter. Controlling excess weight, which puts undue strain on already sore joints, is a key element of managing your arthritis. Also, talk to your doctor or a qualified nutritionist about what nutritional supplements might be helpful in minimizing your pain.

photo credit: katialo

Follow these five simple ways to keep it frugal and fabulous:

Be thoughtful and unique.
Apply the simple law of supply and demand to your advantage. Seasons, times and locations that are “hot” for weddings will inevitably break the bank because they can. Avoid paying a premium for your “day” by considering options like a cozy mid-winter Sunday brunch or an outdoor Thursday evening cocktail reception in early fall. Think about choosing a time of year or location that is unique and special to you for an unforgettable wedding that gives an extra boost to your budget. You will find that it pays to be different.

Be crafty and do it yourself.
They say time is money, but that is not always true, as small investments of your time can save hundreds of dollars in wedding planning. From invitations to seating cards, programs and ceremony or reception decorations, an abundance of beautiful do-it-yourself wedding project kits are available on-line and at popular retailers. Also consider saving money by purchasing flowers from an online wholesaler and then assembling bouquets yourself. If you’re not set on floral centerpieces, try buying ornate glass bowls from an antique shop to fill with beautiful items (rose petals, sea shells, floating candles, etc.) that coincide with your theme.

Not the craftiest of sorts? Tap into the creativity of close friends or family members and recruit them for a wine and cheese night accompanied by invitation, favor or centerpiece assembly.

Be beauty conscious, early on.
When it comes to bridal beauty, timing is everything. It’s an easy element to put off until last minute, but recognizing your beauty needs at the beginning of your planning can save you a lot of money. If a bright white smile is on your checklist, prep a couple months before your wedding and take advantage of less expensive tools versus more expensive, last minute teeth whitening. Celebrity dentist Dr. Debra Glassman recommends brushing with Starbrite toothpaste and chewing two pieces of sugar-free Orbit White gum after meals and drinks like coffee or red wine as an affordable way to keep smiles white and wedding ready.

Also, a few months before the big day, consider consulting a make-up specialist about your wedding day make-up and then keep an eye out for major department stores sales to stock-up on the necessary beauty essentials.

Be your own disc jockey.
Bands and DJs can be expensive. Instead, use your MP3 player. Handle your wedding day music needs the “no hassle” way by loading your player with everyone’s favorite tunes and renting speakers from a local party store.

Choose your music-obsessed teen cousin or a juke box-loving friend to be in charge of the music during the reception in case the system freezes or you need to accommodate a special song request. Keep your mix upbeat and include classics as well as modern songs, so you’re sure to appeal to all crowds.

Be thrifty and do your research — online.
It pays to be tech savvy when you’re planning on a dime. Virtually everything found in stores can be bought online and often for less. Coupon Web sites provide discount codes to online merchants and can be easily found by typing the retailer’s name and “coupon code” in your search engine. Deals range from major price cuts to free shipping, so think beyond the ceremony — a rehearsal dinner dress, bridesmaids gifts, even centerpieces can all be found online.

Using the Internet also allows you to research wedding vendors from the convenience of your laptop. Free online resources like www.OneWed.com, the Web site with the largest searchable online database of local wedding vendors, let you easily browse thousands of vendor profiles, with ratings and reviews from brides across the country. Save time and money by taking advantage of previous brides’ feedback when choosing your preferred vendors.

Use some of the money you save to give Your Other the gift that has long symbolized truth, sincerity, loyalty, and faithfulness. Want to know what it is?