Financial problems are one of the most common causes of marriage trouble.

Bills and debt cause many, many arguments over money.

And if one spouse loses his or her job, it gets even more stressful as their new financial situation requires painful adjustments and sacrifices.

It’s not easing coping with a lifestyle that has been downsized and forced upon you.  The pressure is intense as you struggle to take care of your family’s needs.

In today’s post, I’ll share advice about how to protect your marriage from common financial problems long before the situation cartwheels out of control.

When a couple is making good money, it’s easy for spending to get out of control because not every penny needs to be tracked (a common misperception).

So saving money is often neglected because the assumption is that more than enough money will always be coming in.

But regardless if the financial picture is abundant or scarce, saving a certain percentage, no matter how small, is critical. Even a tiny financial cushion creates a measure of peace of mind.

If we’ve learned anything these last few years it’s to live within our means. The Great Recession has changed our spending patterns forever. So when hardship strikes, you will be thankful for a financial cushion no matter how modest it is.

When a financial downturn happens, relationships buckle under significant stress, which leads to tempers, arguments and fights.

Family members start blaming each other because of the pressure of bills, debts and a shortage of money.

If this happens to you, then choose to focus on the critical issues and commit to reducing your debt gradually, and pay for the absolute basic necessities.

Remind yourself that this is only temporary and that things will get better.

Explore and discuss with your spouse all available financial options. Put everything on the table.

Perhaps difficult choices will need to be considered. Even if short-term pain is part of a long-term solution, consider it seriously because enduring a few short years of discomfort is much better than a lifetime of financial pain.

So help each other out and stop pointing fingers.

Call your creditors and seek to work things out. Perhaps they will consider reasonable repayment options for you. And if possible, stop taking loans against your credit cards so as to avoid falling into deeper debt.

The best solution of all in a perfect world is prevention.

But this isn’t a perfect world.

And people make innocent mistakes.

Sometimes life plants a crisis in your lap and you have to deal with it the best way you know how.

But if you and your spouse are fortunate enough to be reaping the financial benefits of hard-earned work, then please don’t neglect to start saving money in an emergency fund for whenever medical or economic problems arise.

Also, begin where you are with what you have to start planning for retirement because it will come sooner than you think.

Something is better than nothing. So start today. And the discipline of saving will strengthen your relationship.

Keep in mind the law of the harvest “You reap what you sow”.  If you venture into loans or business investments – or any other financial pursuits – make sure you read the fine print so you’re aware of any potential future consequences and what could trigger them.

This smart step protects you from predatory lenders and unfair business terms.

These simple financial tips will help to shield and save your marriage from money problems that often produce severe relationship damage.

But more importantly, by following this advice you can begin building your marriage on a solid foundation instead of upon the shifting sands of financial uncertainty.