The Economics of Marriage

The Economics of Marriage
The Economics of Marriage
The Economics of Marriage

I really enjoy the study of economics and believe in the principles of free markets and supply and demand. I was very excited to see a book that combined what I fully understand: “economics” with what I can have difficulty understanding: “my wife”. I was not disappointed. I loved reading this book and think I will be much better as a husband after reading it.

Like in real economies, you must divide your labor to maximize the return on your time. Do what you are both best at to save time and frustration. Trying to divide everything up and be completely even, fails in marriage as it does in Communism.

Do not fall into the trap of loss aversion. If you are wrong in an argument, don’t continue to pursue it at the cost of your marriage just because you don’t want to be wrong.

Give your spouse incentives for doing what you want. If they know if they do ‘A’, then they will receive ‘B’ in return, you may be surprised at how much gets done. A lot of marriages do this now without realizing it. All work deserves a paycheck.

Be careful to actively manage your marriage at all times. Do not think that your marriage is too big to fail. Know that there are other competitors out there who will take your share of your spouse’s affection. You must create a transparent market, where you each know what the other wants in the areas of finance, sex, vacations, family, and career. Because of poor communication, spouses have suffered through years of misunderstanding that caused both to not get important needs met. Even worse, a spouse may go to a new supplier to get those needs met.

Watch out for bubbles that are created during your engagement, honeymoon, or after an accomplishment together. Irrational exuberance eventually ends. Be prepared for the reality that will set in when the bubble pops. You will likely go from lavish honeymoons and amazing sex, to making breakfast and changing dirty diapers before you know it.

I didn’t scratch the surface of the great information in this book. By far the best relationship book I have read and I highly recommend it. This book was originally called Spousonomics when I read it.