Newlywed Advice

Looking for name change advice or some tips for newlywed life? The MissNowMrs experts have created state-specific name change articles and checklists for you. We’ve chronicled our recommendations for how to travel while changing your name AND how to handle voting during the transition.

We’ve also compiled our best guidance for how to handle difficult sister in laws, holidays as newlyweds, the ever-annoying baby questions, and much more. Why? Because, while we are name change experts, we’re also newlywed wives, moms, and sisters.

We hope our name change advice articles help smooth your transition to your new name, and a whole new phase of life. Congratulations and best wishes from the entire MissNowMrs team!

DIY Projects: A Great Way to Keep Your Marriage Healthy

Did you know DIY projects can keep your marriage healthy? There is so much excitement and anticipation leading up to your wedding. After months or years of planning, the wedding and honeymoon seem to fly by and then real life begins. Many newlywed couples begin to miss the “planning” aspect and connectedness of their engagement. Great news…there are tons of projects you can work on together that will not only benefit your relationship; they’ll benefit your surroundings!

Fixer-upper condos or houses aren’t a bad choice for new couples. They can provide the opportunities for collaborative work that will bring many spouses closer together. That being said, there are a couple of warnings that come with doing re-design work.

For couples who often find themselves in a battle for control – for the strong personalities of the world – coming to an agreement over color, pattern, furniture, and accessories can be source of contention. It is important to go into the process with an open mind and the understanding that working together will not necessarily equate to getting everything that you want for the space. A good marriage is founded on compromise, and the blended end achievement may turn out even better than “your idea”.

As long as you can maintain open minds and open lines of communication, it can be a great idea to suggest updating the kitchen, to replacing the old and outdated couch, or re-painting the guest bedroom. Start small and move on to bigger projects as you become more comfortable with the collaboration aspect of your relationship (better to find out you can’t agree on a faucet than you can’t agree on a blue print for an addition).

As you begin your project, ask your spouse small questions to get communication started. For instance, what colors do you see in the room? Do you prefer gold or silver cabinet and drawer pulls? Do you think we should get a Queen or King sized bed for our room?

These starter questions will provide the initial communication, which can then become involved as bigger decisions must be made in order to complete the project. For those who are seriously ambitious and have the abilities, new bathroom construction, building the new deck, or laying to stone at the front entrance can be done on your own. Putting your blood, sweat, and tears into improving your home will make it a more meaningful space and provide you plenty of pleasant memories and possibly a few hysterical stories.

What home improvement projects have you undertaken with your spouse? I remember replacing the 30+ knobs in our kitchen and being tremendously pleased with our teamwork. He removed the old ones and I screwed in the new ones. And, we both loved the updated look they provided!

What DIY projects are you doing to keep your marriage healthy? Please share in a comment!

Avoiding the ‘Comfort Weight’ of Marriage

Have you heard of the comfort weight of marriage? The weight of a wedding ring on your hand is a wonderful and comforting thing. However…post wedding poundage really isn’t either of those things. There are a few things that might be considered stereotypical, but that do tend to be truth when it comes to the wedding and the days thereafter. Brides (and grooms) tend to want to look their best for their big day. So, part of the preparation for the wedding is often the pre-marriage diet/exercise plan (hello gym membership, body pump classes, spinning etc.). Exercise and better eating combine and will usually result in the shedding of unwanted pounds in time for that final dress fitting.

Yet, when the celebration is over, many couples will let go of the healthy pattern that was developed before their vows. In fact, this phenomenon is so common that many people have come to refer to the pounds gained after tying the knot as ‘comfort weight.’

If you want to avoid gaining the post-party pounds or if you are the newlywed who has suddenly found that the jeans from last year don’t fit all that well anymore, then There are a few changes you can make to keep you at a healthy weight and also strengthen the bond of your marriage.

Invest in a Home Gym – If you have the space in your house or apartment, a home gym – even in the simplest of forms – can serve as a great place to remain thin and trim or to return to that status. Plus, having it right there means that you and your hubby can share in the activity together and keep each other on track.

Take a Nightly Stroll – Many couples have a tendency to lose touch of romance after they’ve wed. A great way to keep connected and get the workout you both need, is through an evening walk. After the dinner table has been cleared, the two of you can set off together. For more athletic couples, this can even be transformed into a nightly run.

Couples’ Cooking – Part of the reason that young married couples have a tendency to pack on extra pounds is because the ritual of nightly dinners hasn’t yet been established. Instead, newlyweds will choose to eat out or order in, which usually means higher fat and calories when compared to a homemade meal. Solution: use the evening meal as a bonding time and work together to create something that tastes wonderful and is good for you.

Remember, sharing in the activities that are good for your health will make it easier for the two of you to stay on track and keep off the comfort weight of marriage. It’s fun to challenge each other and keep in shape as a couple…you’ll both be glad you did!

What ways have you and your partner come up with to stay in shape? We’d love for you to share your ideas with us in a comment!

Choosing the Right Dog to Match Your Marriage

Dog in Wedding — Choose you dog in marriage

Okay, so maybe you aren’t quite ready for the responsibility of a newborn in your life, or perhaps you don’t intend to ever have children, but the idea of having a little extra company around the house after marriage can be very appealing for many young couples. In fact, a very large percentage of newlyweds find themselves in the market for a puppy. But, like a baby, a puppy comes with many new responsibilities and big changes to a household and even your married relationship. Choosing the right breed is key to everyone’s happiness!

The Small Dog: The first thing to consider is the size of dog that is most likely to fit your space. A small apartment in the city is not likely to accommodate larger breeds, especially those who love to run. Thus, your living arrangements might limit your choices immediately. For those who aren’t so confined, the decision will likely be based more on personal preference. A small dog can be a wonderful addition to the home, but these little guys are also very fragile. They must be babied a bit as they are susceptible to cold, injury, and digestive problems. For those who are looking for a loving companion that adores its owner and will be playfully content indoors, a small dog can be the perfect pal.

The Active Dog: As stated above, when it comes to small homes without access to convenient outdoor areas to run, the active dog is probably not a good choice for you. However, for those with an enclosed backyard or lots of room to run, active dogs can make wonderful partners. The spaniels, labs, and retrievers of the world are often willing to become workout companions for the runner or walker. Who doesn’t need a workout buddy that won’t take no for answer?! Water-loving dogs might be the perfect fit for a couple near the ocean, lake, or pond, and for the outdoor enthusiast, a dog breed for hunting will likely be a wonderful fit.

The Big Dog: If a small dog is not the right fit and an overly active dog won’t fit your relaxed lifestyle, then it might be time to consider the largest breeds. Though they will still need outdoor time and they do require a lot of indoor space, these huge hearts are loving, loyal, and often on the lazy side – at least as they get a little older. However, do be prepared for a hyper puppy, regardless of the breed you choose. Like a child, puppies need a lot of love, a lot of care, and a lot of attention in the early years. A final note on the larger of the four-legged loves of the world — big dogs can also be major sources of drool,though, so you might want to have the ‘jowel towel’ nearby.

Whatever dog you choose, adding a 4 legged friend to your family is a wonderful part of newlywed life. Taking your time and considering your options before you take the “puppy plunge” should lead to years of love and companionship down the road. Did you get a dog right after you got married? What options did you consider or wish you’d considered? We’d love to hear from you in a comment! Get more Newlywed Advice from our experts or follow the flow on IG.

Newlywed Budget Setting

There are many important things to discuss as newlyweds. But, among the most frequently mentioned is the issue of finances. Money can easily become the cause of major rifts in the relationship. Most people differ in opinions regarding how money should be spent, when it should be spent, and how much should be saved. The best thing that you can do for yourself, your bank account, and your relationship is to set aside time to do newlywed budget setting.

Don’t work side by side over the same piece of paper or the same computer screen. It is be better to go through the process individually and then compare notes. This serves two purposes. First, if one person overlooks a particular expense, the other is likely to think to add it. Secondly, it demonstrates how differently the two of you look at income, expenses, and the percentage to be saved versus that to be spent.

Newlywed Budget Creation Tips

First, create four columns – two for income and the others for expenditures. For each, there is a column for bills or income sources to be listed and the other is for the associated figures to be entered. At the end of the columns, the figures can be summed. Do be sure to take into account gross versus net pay. You won’t want to determine your budget based on gross pay because a large percentage is taken out for taxes each pay period. If you are not sure what the net value is, you can estimate is by multiplying the gross pay by 0.8.

Still a little lost? Check out newlywedfinances.com for more help with newlywed budget setting.

Comparing the total of the income column to the total of the expenses column will give you a clear picture of how much is left after the bills are paid. Consider figuring this as a monthly, weekly, and daily value. This way, you will know what you have to spend each day. At that point, you can figure out how much should be put into savings. Then compare your figures with your spouse’s until you can come to an agreement. Finally, you can create a firm and realistic budget.

Sticking to this schedule, you will know exactly how much there is to spend each day. And, you will know that you are always on the same page as your spouse. Hooray for a workable newlywed budget!

Do you and your spouse have a budget? Was it difficult to come up with one or are you wishing you had one? We’d love to get your feedback on newlywed budget setting.

Easter with the In-Laws As Newlyweds

Are you spending Easter with the in-laws this year? If so, you might be a little worried about how things will turn out. One way to start the holiday off on the right foot is with a hostess gift for your mother-in-law. It shows that you appreciate her hospitality and that you have excellent manners (never a bad thing). Here are a few gift ideas to help you position yourself in the best way possible with your new family members:

1. Easter Colored Chocolate Strawberries – You can make them yourself with this simple recipe or order them from Shari’s Berries. Everyone loves holiday candy, and chocolate covered strawberries elevate Easter treats to a new level!

2. Robin’s Egg Soaps – Help your mother-in-law celebrate spring with this adorable soap collection. It’s a simple, sweet and practical hostess gift, all at the same time.

3. Seasonal Shakers – If you’re completely stumped on what to bring, consider these pewter rabbit salt & pepper shakers. They’ll add a bit of holiday charm to your family Easter brunch or dinner.

4. Upscale Eggs – Indulge your spouse’s family with chocolate truffle filled eggs! No need to wrap, the container is perfect on its own and perfect for Easter with the in-laws.

5. Flower Power – Give a sure-fire Spring gift, a lily of the valley bulb garden. The site and scent will fill the house with Spring and Easter cheer.
Hostess gifts aren’t just reserved for non-family members…so consider taking something to your mom if you’re headed to your family’s house for Easter this year. Every hostess deserves a little thank you goodie.

Those are our best gift ideas for Easter with the in-laws. Should you want to surprise them with your name change, the MissNowMrs app or service can help!