After the wedding bells stop ringing and the bills for the dress,
flowers, photographer and honeymoon arrive, many newlyweds find their
physical and emotional compatibility may be trumped by their financial
incompatibility.

Money is a major sticking point in many new marriages and the number
one cause of divorce and marital fighting. However, it doesn't need to
be. Sam Goller and Deborah Shouse, co-authors of the new book "Yes, You
Can . . . Achieve Financial Harmony," help newlyweds align their
monetary values and beliefs to create a thriving marriage.

"Communicating about money is one of the top challenges for even the
most open and articulate couples," Shouse explains. "Before you can
build a financial foundation that supports your wants and dreams, it's
necessary to understand what goals are important to you and your
partner and why they are important."

Open communication is just the beginning. In their book, Goller and
Shouse offer the following 10 tips to help couples achieve financial
wedded bliss:

1. Come clean before tying the knot. - Avoid a fight about money after
the honeymoon by talking about your individual financial situations
before the wedding bells ring.

2. Spend time talking about money memories. - Most of us underestimate
the impact our upbringing and traditional roles have on our current
financial decisions. Sharing the past can relieve tension in the
future.

3. Know when to pursue a money conversation and when to stop. - People
who are tired, hungry, cranky or involved in cooking dinner aren't in a
good frame of mind for holding meaningful money conversations. Talk
about money issues at a time when you're both rested and mentally
available.

4. Figure out what counts. - Prior to formulating a financial plan,
talk about your priorities and what really matters to each of you when
it comes to money.

5. Find your missing dollars. - Before you can spend your money in a
way that gives you the greatest pleasure and helps you meet your goals,
you have to understand your spending habits. Consider keeping a
spending journal to find out where your money really goes.

6. Eliminate credit card debt. - The average American has more than
$8,000 of credit card debt. Newlyweds can't afford to fall deeper into
debt than they already are. Make paying off credit card debt a top
priority.

7. Create an emergency fund. - What if a financial emergency strikes?
Three steps to get you started on an emergency fund are:

* Determine how much you need.

* Figure out how to consistently save.

* Find a safe place to put your savings.

8. Find a system that works for you. - Maybe it's sitting down together
each month to pay the bills as a team. Or maybe one of you is better at
handling expenses than the other and prefers to do it alone. Find a
system that works with your needs.

9. Don't stop talking. - To enjoy continued financial success as a
couple, it is necessary to continue your money conversations on a
regular basis. Many experts recommend sitting down with your spouse
monthly to make sure you're still on track.

10. Personal growth. - Spending doesn't always have to be money. One of
marriage's greatest rewards is spending time together. Learning and
expanding your horizons as a couple or with friends can offer greater
returns than any purchase.

"Achieving financial success doesn't have to be stressful, but it
requires determination," Goller says. "Newlyweds have a huge advantage
when it comes to investing for the future - time. By taking the time
now to build a solid financial foundation, attaining financial
independence is a real possibility."