IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD: Strengthening Your Relationship When the Going Gets Tough and the Money Gets Tight

In IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD:  Strengthening Your Relationship When the Going Gets Tough and the Money Gets Tight  (Wiley; October 2009;  $25.95; Cloth; ISBN:  978-0-470-53803-6)  M. Gary and Melisa Neuman lay out strategies and solutions for maintaining a healthy partnership while dealing with the stresses caused by money problems, job loss, health problems, and other difficult events. Husband and wife M. Gary and Melisa Neuman offer practical advice on how to repair damage that has already been done and how to develop healthier communication around these issues. Their prescriptive action steps show readers how to talk to one's partner and children about money and other problems without emotions or anger getting in the way, thereby strengthening one's marriage and family and laying a solid foundation for one's future—all at the same time.

M. Gary and Melisa Neuman present many tips for couples going through hard times.  Here are just some of the highlights:

•           A one week program for couples that will transform their relationship with their spouse and kids

•           The MOMENT when you will decide to make your relationship succeed or fail and you d on't even know it

•           How to talk to kids about economic distress

•           Making this year's holidays fun and meaningful with less money

•           Giving yourself "permission" to be happy in your relationship even though times are tough

When hardship strikes, many couples simply stop communicating, or a husband or wife may begin to blame his or her partner. In IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD, the Neumans show readers that talking to each other is the most important thing couples can do when money is tight in a difficult economy to attack the problem and not each other. The authors offer concrete advice to couples in every stage of life -- from twentysomethings dealing with the stress of a punishing mortgage to retirees watching their nest egg get smaller and smaller as the stock market tanks. In addition to money issues, the Neumans also discuss problems including illness and grieving. Prescriptive action steps such as guidelines for setting aside time each week to discuss the problems complement dramatic real-life stories of couples from across the country.