Pre-marriage prep from the Eskimos

I'd just like to share this, read about this from a book on wedding traditions around the world.

Did you know that Eskimos have a pre-wedding custom that is very practical and admirable?

For Eskimo couples who want to wed, the groom is required to either 1) stay at the bride-to-be's home and live with her family for a year. Or 2) he can send in advance a year's supply of food for the family.

I am particularly impressed with the wisdom behind no. 1. The reason for this custom is for the family to truly get to know the groom. It also lets the groom try how to be a family member with his bride's family. In parenthesis, the bride and groom also get to see each other in the true light of how it is to stay in one home. They will see how each one copes with family concerns, whether these be happy or problematic times. And since they are staying with the bride's family that can "supervise" them, it can be considered as "family life in training wheels".

I admire how this practice helps view potential marriage partners in a realistic light.

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The Key to Wedded Bliss? Money Matters

The Key to Wedded Bliss? Money Matters from the NY Times.

Money is such a touchy, but important issue for a family.

Great quote from the article - “A lot of the choices we make in how we want to live our lives involve how we spend our money.” and also how we earn it. Working 80 hour work weeks, or doing flex time to spend more time with the family.

The article has some good suggestions on working out financial issues. The one about running a marriage like a business I am not sure about.