| Be certain you are marrying the right person. | | | | financial planning. |
| 1. If there is a little voice in your head asking | | | | 5. Make friends with your in-laws, all of them, as soon |
| questions, listen to it. Talk out the questions, | | | | as possible. If this is the person you want to marry, |
| preferably with the person you're marrying, or with | | | | put your ego aside and figure out how to get along |
| friends, family and counselors. Don't get a ring or set | | | | with them. They will be in your life. Find what is good |
| a date until you can say, Yes, without reservation. | | | | in them and focus on that. |
| 2. Decide whether you are getting married to have a | | | | 6. Accept that in the best marriages, each partner |
| party or whether you are having a party to celebrate | | | | forgives the other at least 10,000 times. Learn how |
| this sacred event with your family and friends. You | | | | to do this. |
| don't have to get married to have a party, even if | | | | 7. Plan a way to live without clutter. You're starting a |
| your friends are doing it. If you want to have a big | | | | new life. |
| party, celebrate your birthday. | | | | 8. Fire up, yourself, to be a partner, not a dependent. |
| 3. Know, without a doubt, that you want to be | | | | Give up whining. |
| married. If you want money, go earn it. If you want | | | | 9. Free your mind and heart. Old boyfriends are |
| a hot date, see #1. If you don't want to be single | | | | history. You've made your choice, haven't you? |
| because you're getting older or all your friends are | | | | 10.Be content. You're marrying a wonderful person |
| getting married, consider that maybe your significant | | | | who is a great match for you. |
| other is thinking the same way. You're settling down, | | | | Take up yoga, tai chi, karate, spinning, swimming, |
| not settling for second best. | | | | hiking, fishing, walking, mountain climbing-whatever |
| 4. Discuss and agree upon your finances well before | | | | frees your soul and clears your senses. Then keep |
| the big day. Don't get married if either one of you | | | | doing it. Keep doing the things you like to do |
| can't handle money responsibly. Get that pre-nup. It | | | | together. Stay in touch with a group of friends you |
| has nothing to do with love. It has to do with smart | | | | both like. Grow together as a couple. |