Savannah is an undergraduate at BYU with hopes to enter in the Master's program at BYU: Marriage, Family, and Human Development in Fall 2025. She loves to study the transition to marriage, having been recently married herself, particularly in the areas of religion and finance. With her free time she loves to crochet, bake bread, and travel.
Savannah Lowe
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She Who Believes, Achieves: Building Financial Confidence for Women
Throughout history, society has often placed the responsibility of money on men. A particular example of this is highlighted in the first sentence of a world-renowned novel, Pride and Prejudice, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”[1] This single phrase—it is the financial position of the husband that determines his want for a wife—leaves the wife’s financial position unacknowledged and perhaps implies that a future wife should search for a man that knows how to manage his finances. Although this novel takes place in the early 1800s, these same ideas in some ways still permeate our culture today, socializing women to believe that men are the money managers. Because of this thinking, researchers have found that women are likely to have lower lifetime earnings and are less prepared for retirement, contributing to greater financial hardship.[2] But it doesn’t have to be that way! We must correct this way of thinking and empower women with confidence in their own financial skills. By challenging these old narratives, women can actively shape their financial futures rather than relying on traditional gender roles.
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The Two Taboos: Money and Sex
Imagine sitting at the dinner table with your spouse. It is common to discuss different aspects of your day such as people in your social circle or perhaps your job. However, even couples who communicate well about everyday events often have a hard time talking about sex and money, which are important aspects of a relationship. In a new social science theoretical model, it has been proposed that money and sex are both taboo topics that are often regarded as crude, unrefined, low, or even dirty.[i] Probably not considered appropriate dinner-time conversation material.
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To Merge or Not to Merge: A Financial Question for Newlyweds
Hannah is extremely disciplined with her money. She keeps track of every cent, saves regularly, and maintains a strict budget. She is proud of her spending habits because she knows exactly where her money is going. These habits lead her to feel financially secure and satisfied. Josh, on the other hand, tends to use his money impulsively. He does not like to budget or save very much, and his financial situation often stresses him, leading him to feel financially frustrated. What happens when these two mindsets come together in a relationship? Would their finances follow Hannah’s financial expertise or Josh’s haphazard ways? According to research, there are certain outcomes that these two lovebirds could potentially expect.
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The Divine Economy: Giving, Marriage, and Meaning in Faithful Homes
For religious individuals, their faith is one of the single most influential factors in their lives.[1] In many faith traditions, it is required or encouraged for their members to contribute their time, efforts, and money freely (religious giving)—but how do individuals really feel about religious giving, and how does that affect their marriages and families? One qualitative study by Dr. Loren Marks and colleagues answered that question by interviewing 184 highly religious couples about their beliefs.1 In this article, we will discuss some themes encompassing how couples viewed their sacrifices as giving, how the faith community supported them, and the relationships between marriage, parenting, and finances.
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Financially Ever After: Power Dynamics in Newlywed Life
Picture a newlywed couple, hand in hand, walking into their first home together. Beneath their smiles lies a hidden challenge: balancing their roles and responsibilities as they build both their relationship and their financial future. In the recent article, On the Same Page? Newlyweds’ Agreement About Shared Power Predicting Financial Management Behaviors Through Marital Commitment[1], distinguished scholars suggest that the way a couple navigates their marriage might also predict how they navigate their finances. Many assume that financial behaviors (e.g., paying your bills on time, or saving money from every paycheck) are a central driving force for romantic relationship outcomes.[2] However, research suggests that the ability of couples to maintain balance and commitment may also shape newlywed relationships, with financial behaviors serving as an outcome of these dynamics.
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