Typical American newlyweds spend over $27,000 on their wedding day -- yet no time or money on a financial plan. It is no surprise then that so many American marriages fail within the first five years, with couples citing ""money issues"" as the number one reason for their breakup. With Managing the Marriage Purse you will learn how to: -Create a unique marriage mission that becomes the compelling force to help you get your financial life in order and keep it in order -Identify and eliminate the causes of out-of-control spending -Get out of debt sooner -Increase after-tax income -Reduce your healthcare costs -Put fun and romance into budget meetings -Resolve conflict quickly and eliminate money fights -Avoid the top financial pitfalls that lead to divorce -Become a philanthropist on your existing income

Managing the Marriage Purse Workbook for Him includes thirty-three exercises and nine Hot Dates to make the financial planning process engaging, fun, and peaceful. Inside these pages, you will ... -Create a unique marriage mission that guides all your financial decisions -Identify your money management style and correct spending problems -Get honest about debt and eliminate it quickly -Create annual and monthly budgets -Develop a homeownership strategy -Put your long-term savings/investment strategy into action -Find the right asset classes for your unique portfolio, based on your risk tolerance and timing of your objectives -Experience peace of mind at any income level

Managing the Marriage Purse Workbook for Her includes thirty-three exercises and nine Hot Dates to make the financial planning process engaging, fun, and peaceful. Inside these pages, you will ... -Create a unique marriage mission that guides all your financial decisions -Identify your money management style and correct spending problems -Get honest about debt and eliminate it quickly -Create annual and monthly budgets -Develop a homeownership strategy -Put your long-term savings/investment strategy into action -Find the right asset classes for your unique portfolio, based on your risk tolerance and timing of your objectives -Experience peace of mind at any income level

Typical American newlyweds spend over $27,000 on their wedding day -- yet no time or money on a financial plan. It is no surprise then that so many American marriages fail within the first five years, with couples citing ""money issues"" as the number one reason for their breakup. With Managing the Marriage Purse you will learn how to: -Create a unique marriage mission that becomes the compelling force to help you get your financial life in order and keep it in order -Identify and eliminate the causes of out-of-control spending -Get out of debt sooner -Increase after-tax income -Reduce your healthcare costs -Put fun and romance into budget meetings -Resolve conflict quickly and eliminate money fights -Avoid the top financial pitfalls that lead to divorce -Become a philanthropist on your existing income

A companion to the popular website APracticalWedding.com and A Practical Wedding Planner, A Practical Wedding helps you sort through the basics to create the wedding you want -- without going broke or crazy in the process. After all, what really matters on your wedding day is not so much how it looked as how it felt. In this refreshing guide, expert Meg Keene shares her secrets to planning a beautiful celebration that reflects your taste and your relationship. You'll discover: The real purpose of engagement (hint: it's not just about the planning) How to pinpoint what matters most to you and your partner DIY-ing your wedding: brilliant or crazy? How to communicate decisions to your family Why that color-coded spreadsheet is actually worth it Wedding Zen can be yours. Meg walks you through everything from choosing a venue to writing vows, complete with stories and advice from women who have been in the trenches: the Team Practical brides. So here's to the joyful wedding, the sensible wedding, the unbelievably fun wedding! A Practical Wedding is your complete guide to getting married with grace.

While observing exotic animal trainers for her acclaimed book Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched, journalist Amy Sutherland had an epiphany: What if she used these training techniques with the human animals in her own life–namely her dear husband, Scott? In this lively and perceptive book, Sutherland tells how she took the trainers’ lessons home. The next time her forgetful husband stomped through the house in search of his mislaid car keys, she asked herself, “What would a dolphin trainer do?” The answer was: nothing. Trainers reward the behavior they want and, just as important, ignore the behavior they don’t. Rather than appease her mate’s rising temper by joining in the search, or fuel his temper by nagging him to keep better track of his things in the first place, Sutherland kept her mouth shut and her eyes on the dishes she was washing. In short order, Scott found his keys and regained his cool. “I felt like I should throw him a mackerel,” she writes. In time, as she put more training principles into action, she noticed that she became more optimistic and less judgmental, and their twelve-year marriage was better than ever. What started as a goofy experiment had such good results that Sutherland began using the training techniques with all the people in her life, including her mother, her friends, her students, even the clerk at the post office. In the end, the biggest lesson she learned is that the only animal you can truly change is yourself. Full of fun facts, fascinating insights, hilarious anecdotes, and practical tips, What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love, and Marriage describes Sutherland’s Alice-in-Wonderland experience of stumbling into a world where cheetahs walk nicely on leashes and elephants paint with watercolors, and of leaving a new, improved Homo sapiens.

From the author of Bags—The Modern Classics. “Sewists who enjoy bags designed by Lexie Barnes, Amy Butler, or Sara Lawson will enjoy Kim’s stylish designs.” —Library Journal Hit the town with chic, modern bags for any occasion! With 19 fashionable projects, from a metal-framed clutch to a ruffled carryall, you’ll have a match for every outfit. Learn to sew darts, ruffles, and other design elements for a professional finish. Make multiples of your favorites and see for yourself how a simple change in fabric offers a whole new look. With full-size patterns and simple construction, these bags are on-trend and runway worthy. 19 sophisticated bags from experienced pattern maker Sue Kim Stylish market tote, classy clutches, and a Boston bag Tips on installing pockets, zippers, and bag hardware Plus, the secret to perfect gathers, ruffles, and darts “The best book on bags I have ever seen . . . Techniques, tip and know-how are all included plus full-sized templates. I love sewing books that give full-sized patterns, so this book is ticking all the boxes.” —yarndsandfabric.co.uk “Sue Kim has followed her first book of bag projects with another beauty. As she did before, Sue has provided detailed step-by-step instructions illustrated with clear photographs for each of the 19 projects in this latest volume. This, coupled with the stylish design of the bags and the excellent technique overview chapter, makes Boutique Bags an excellent choice for crafters who are building their bag-making skills or looking for creative inspiration.” —Australian Homespun Magazine “A great bag making book.” —Sewing World