Newlywed Tips Archives

Jan 23 2013

Baby It’s Cold Outside: 4 Things To Do With Your Newlywed Spouse

Looking for things to do with your newlywed spouse? As arctic temperatures sweep the U.S., I think we can all utter a collective “BRRRRRRRR!” No need to let the cold spoil your newlywed time. If you’re stuck inside on evenings and weekends, use that time to your advantage.

Organize – The beginning of Spring is the last time I feel like cleaning. I want to be outside soaking up the sunshine! Use your freezing winter weekends to organize your closets, kitchen cabinets or any other parts of your house that are causing chaos and possibly a few squabbles. This way when Spring does arrive you’ll have your house in order and your weekend calendar free for fun things!

Play Games – Too cold to possibly go out for a date (seriously, no one wants to put on a dress and then multiple scarves, a parka, hat and boots…it does not feel sexy)? Break out some board games with your spouse. You can play by the conventional rules or mix things up with drinking versions of twister and scrabble or play naughty Jenga. Laughing together will make you both feel warmer and closer to each other at the end of the night.

Dream – I love to dream about what my husband and I will do when the weather is warm. Take picnics, visit the national zoo, go boating, plan a beach weekend with friends…the list is endless. If you can get your husband to help you “dream up” some warm weather activities with you, the happy result is a list of fun to-dos that will actually get done this year. Tape your list to the fridge to remind you that Spring is coming and to help you make time for your planned activities on the calendar.

Work Out – Nothing warms you up like a serious work out! Browse Amazon for a new DVD (I’m loving Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown), and when it arrives prepare to break a sweat. Come spring break time and swimsuit season, you’ll be really glad that you did your Winter workouts instead of sitting on the couch with cocoa.

How are you handling the cold as a newlywed couple? We’d love to hear your suggestions for things to do with your newlywed spouse this winter.

Jul 30 2012

Name Change After Marriage: Going From Miss to Mrs

Contemplating Going From Miss to Mrs? Whether you’re about to walk down the aisle or enjoying life as a newlywed, changing your name change is a big question. Should you…shouldn’t you…what are your options?

Decided to take the plunge but not sure where to start or what name change forms to file first? Fortunately for you, Danielle Tate the founder of MissNowMrs.com, created an app and online name change service for brides.

It simplifies the tedious process into 30 minutes, auto-completes the necessary forms and helps women understand their state laws and what options are available to them (ex: some states don’t allow maiden to middle name change). Check out a video of Danielle discussing name change after marriage on Better TV.

Still have questions? Feel free to call or email the name change experts at MissNowMrs.com. Or, should you need assistance going from Miss to Mrs, we’re happy to help!

Help Me Change My Name

Jun 27 2012

Newlywed Finances: Tips For Setting Goals Together

Newlywed finances are incredibly important to discuss. Once the excitement of the wedding is over and the reality of living together as newlyweds sets in, getting your financial house in order is an absolute must. Finding the right place to start, though, can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

Where are You?

One of the first things you may want to do is understand exactly where you’re at. This should involve looking at what the two of you make each month, then making a detailed list of expenses that you’ll need to deal with. Don’t forget to factor in things like groceries, transportation expenses (bus passes, subway fare, or gas) and day to day living expenses. This process should not only help you understand what you have coming in, but also identify any spots where you’re wasting money as well.

New Financial Needs

In addition to thinking about what you’re already spending money on, you may also have new financial needs to consider. For example, now that the two of you are married, do you need to apply for new health insurance together? What about life insurance? If your spouse has a child, are there childcare expenses you hadn’t previously considered? Add all of those into your monthly budget as well.

Set Both Short and Long Term Goals

Lots of couples just move like zombies from month to month without really planning for their goals, but look ahead five years, then look ahead ten years. Where do you want to be together as a couple? Do you want to own a home? Do you plan to have children? Are there investments you need to make right away? Looking down the line a bit will help you set aside money for the future each month.

Flexibility and Fun

Once you set your financial goals, though, don’t assume they’re set in stone forever. Make sure you both reevaluate at least once a year, but maybe even every six months to ensure you’re on track to meeting your dreams and dealing with the reality of financial life together. Also, make sure there’s a little room in your budget for fun. Your first years as newlyweds should be spent making memories that will last a lifetime. So, be sure to add a vacation or life experience to your list of goals!

How are you handling your newlywed finances? Did our tips help? We’d love to hear from you in a comment.

Jun 18 2012

Get To Know Your In-Laws: 4 Tips You Need Now

Curious how to get to know your in-laws? One of the most important and potentially tedious relationships you’re likely to have, is with your in-laws. They’re not your parents, but now they’re family and very important to your spouse. Taking the time to get to know them as individuals (not just your in-laws) will help your relationship with them and your relationship with your partner for years to come.

Be Considerate

Everyone likes to be appreciated, so take your mother-in-law out to lunch for her birthday. Don’t forget a card and/or flowers on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. While technically your husband should keep up with his family and you should keep up with yours…you may end up responsible for all parents appreciation. Better to be the one sending cards than letting your spouse forget and make both of you look bad! There are a number of creative ways you can show your respect, so take advantage of each one of those.

Think Outside the In-Law Part

Sure, they’re your partner’s parents, but you should think of them as your friends and/or mentors. Try to get involved with something they enjoy (like gardening or golf). Having a common interest will give you things to talk about during family dinners and holidays. The relationship you have will be an important part of your marriage, and a cue for how your spouse should treat your parents…so keep that in mind the next time you visit your in-laws.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

There are bound to be differences between you and your in-laws, but if you don’t keep an open mind, you may not really see them for who they are. So maybe your mother in law has a few decorating opinions that aren’t in step with yours, just smile and try to understand her viewpoint. You aren’t obligated to make any of the changes she suggests. Listening will win you more points than arguing. Keep in mind that it takes some time to develop a relationship and understand each others boundaries. Proper communication will help you build a lasting relationship.

Time Will Tell

Rome and relationships weren’t built in a day. Try to give things a bit of extra time to gel, particularly if your new spouse was very close to his family. The closer they are, the more threatened they may feel by your presence, so be sure to be respectful and friendly, but try to give your in-laws a bit of extra space too. The relationship you build is essential to a happy marriage, so even if you don’t start off on the right foot, keep at it.

What tips do you think are the most important when getting to know your in-laws? We’d love for you to share in a comment.

May 31 2012

TSA Tip For Newlyweds & Honeymooners

If you do nothing else, follow this one TSA tip for newlyweds! After all of the thought and planning that goes into creating the perfect wedding, most newlyweds are more than ready to set off on a carefree honeymoon! Can you imagine how upset you would be if you couldn’t hop on that plane to your exotic destination? It happens to newlyweds….and it’s horrible.

ALWAYS book your honeymoon flights and travel reservations in your maiden name. And be sure your fiance knows this. We know you and your spouse can’t wait to for you to use your new name. But, if you have your married name on your tickets and your maiden name on your passport…it’s a no go.

Simply wait until you return all tan and relaxed from your first trip as newlyweds to file for your new passport in your new married name. Your new picture will be that much better. If you’ve had your U.S. passport for less than 12 months it’s free! When you receive your new passport, they’ll include your old one. So, you can use the page with your travel stamps in a scrapbook or momento.

Now that you know our TSA tip for newlyweds, tell your other engaged friends the scoop so they don’t miss their dream honeymoon. Should you or your friends need help changing your names, the MissNowMrs app or online name change service can save you hours of hassle!

Help Me Change My Name

Do you know anyone that had trip issues right after their wedding? We’d love to hear from you in a comment.