Are you and your spouse worried about what’s happening with your savings, your pension, your children’s college funds, or just staying employed? The Dow Jones is under 10,000 and European banks sound as shaky as the US banks. Do you find yourself fearful of your futures together? Do you find yourselves disagreeing with your partner about how to weather this financial meltdown? Do you find yourselves arguing because one of you makes more money and feels like they have more control over how money is spent? When money gets tight as a result of reduced income or increased mortgage payments and is combined with financial fears of the future, those old money arguments (my money vs. your money) may be causing you problems again. It is time for the two of you to have discussions again about money.

In his book Love & Money, Jeff Opdyke says: “It’s not really about the money. It’s about creating another level of intimacy in your relationship and bestowing trust on each other.” He further recommends joint accounts for couples which explicitly demonstrates the trust you have with your spouse.

When we keep secrets from our spouse about how much we make, how we spend money, or even how much money we have, this indicates a measure of distrust in the other person. When times are tough like now, you need to trust and have faith in your legal and romantic partner. All your money and all your debts are consider joint by the state. If you are not considering them joint, you are losing out. You lose resources that your partner brings to solving financial problems. You lose a feeling of honesty about yourself. And you lose some ability to manage your family finances in the best way possible.

If the two of you are not quite ready to combine your accounts, at least try to agree on and be committed to the following:

1. Agree to live within your means, so that expenses do not exceed your income.

2. Agree to open, honest communication about money.

3. Promise not to blame one another, judge each other, or keep secrets about money.

4. Be prepared to listen to your partner and understand their perspective.

You both need to be fully aware of the family gross and net income, to know where household (and individual) money goes each month and to know how much debt you have and the interest costs you are paying.

If you are unable to have a frank and open discussion about your money with your spouse, you may benefit from seeing a marriage counselor. The National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists (www.marriagefriendlytherapist.com) is a good resource for finding a therapist who is invested in helping you save your marriage. If you are unable to curb your spending, you might consider Debtors Anonymous, an organization for people trying to reduce debt and regain solvency. If you need a housing counselor or help with your mortgage, go to the web site of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (www.hud.gov) and click on the Hope for Homeowners link.

It’s important to realize you are not alone. Many couples and families are struggling. Don’t let your marriage be a casualty of the worst financial disaster most of us have ever seen. You and your spouse are in this together. Get the help you need to keep your marriage stable and safe.

If you decide that you might need marriage counseling, check out my website, http://www.PamLipe.com My specialty is marriage and relationship counseling. For 20 years, I have been helping couples find the love and support they want in their marriages. My therapy practice serves the metropolitan area of Minneapolis/St.Paul, MN.

One of the leading names in international fashion, Dolce&Gabbana was started in 1985 in Milan by Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.

Specializing in high-end fashion, they maintain two main lines of clothing and accessories, which appeal to fundamentally different tastes – the stylish and fashionable Dolce&Gabbana and the more casual and informal D&G.

Their collection ranges from classy suits and dresses, underwear and lingerie to beachwear, sunglasses, leather and footwear to fragrances, jewelry and timepieces. They even carry corrective eyewear. The fashion house distributes its wide range of products in over 80 countries worldwide.

With fashion collections that have frequently garnered raves from fashion critics such as “devastatingly sexy” or “fetishistic and provocative”, they want to make blatant fashion statements.

Still and all, the aesthetic is remains characteristically Italian, which has drawn the loyal patronage of such big celebrities as Madonna, Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Isabella Rossellini, Kate Hudson and Eva Mendes, among others.

The two designers met in Milan in 1980, while working in a fashion design enterprise. Dolce, who grew up in Sicily, had studied fashion design and had worked in their family’s modest clothing factory.

Gabbana grew up in Milan and was trained as a graphic designer. They combined their unique creativity and started their own business in two years.

Now the huge fashion empire that they created employs over 2000 people and has 261 stores worldwide. Sales in 2006 topped $1 billion, establishing them in the same league as Giorgio Armani, Max Mara and Prada Group.

Notwithstanding this remarkable success story, they have not been free of controversy. In January 2007, the fashion house was roundly criticized Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for featuring models wielding knives in one of its advertising campaigns.

In February 2007, it was forced to withdraw advertisements in Paris and Madrid after consumers’ groups complained to authorities that one of its ads was illegal and humiliating to women.

Nonetheless, owing to its secure niche in the international fashion world, especially as it apparently gains strong acceptance among the young professionals in China, they will continue to make waves – and get raves – in the industry.

If you enjoy Dolce & Gabbana, visit http://sumostrawberry.com for discount Dolce & Gabbana Perfume and Dolce & Gabbana Sunglasses at great prices.