Personality: What It Means When Your Date Is Rude to Waiters

Oh, this behavior is enough to push me over the edge! After all, who would ever be rude to a waiter? In my new article for eHarmony, I shine a light on this grotesque behavior. Check out the article here: http://bit.ly/1Lf8UjX.

How Money & Financial Stress Can Destroy Your Relationship

You’ve probably heard that money problems are one the most significant factors that can lead to divorce. Without doubt, differences in money management styles between two partners can ruin a marriage. In fact, you don’t even need to be married to fall victim to the powerful influence money problems can have on a relationship. You could have been cohabitating for years or have recently begun dating someone, but everyone’s relationship with money is quickly transparent. If you tend to be a little reckless with your money or a negligent financial planner, it is going to negatively affect your partner and the overall longevity of your relationship.

There’s no complicated algorithm to determine whether you are a bad money manager – there are simple signs that flash like neon lights in all the corners of your life.

• You are almost always worried about money.

• You have credit card debt even though you make a decent salary.

• You have a penchant for expensive things.

• You have at least one loan beyond a mortgage or a school loan.

• You have an expensive car but don’t yet own a home or condominium.

• Someone you love (probably your partner) has repeatedly expressed concern about the way you handle money.

If you have problems managing your money, you and your partner probably argue frequently about money. Added to this, a struggling economy only makes things worse. If you know that money management is a true problem, you must confront the issue head on immediately.

There are several behaviors you can engage in to improve your money management skills. First, take yourself to a local bookstore or search online for books that specifically focus on this subject. Second, it’s time to have a discussion with your partner and for you to make a vow to change your relationship with money. Third, create what I call a Financial Performance Improvement Plan. In this plan, identify two or three specific money problems, create a solution for each, and come up with a deadline by which the problems will be resolved. Again, be specific.

The final suggestion I have for handling money management problems in your relationship is to talk to other couples in your social circle about how they handle the same issues. I refer to this process as conducting interviews, because you essentially want to get answers and ideas from others that you can possibly apply to your own life and improve your circumstances as a result.

With true commitment and time spent making some changes, you can absolutely improve your money management skills and protect the longevity of your relationships all at once.

PLUS: Check out my book about how to stop repeating the same negative patterns in your relationships, Dr. Seth's Love Prescription, here: http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Seths-Love-Prescription-Relationship-ebook/dp/B004DI7FIK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=.

DATING: How to Approach Somone (Without Being Cheesy Or Sleazy!)

As a relationship expert on eHarmony's panel of experts, I write about a lot of dating topics that affect men and women. One of the biggest problems people have in dating is the awkwardness of approaching someone new. In my new article, I give specific examples of what you can do and say when you walk up to someone new. You truly can approach someone without coming across like a crazy or super-sleazy person!

Check out the article here: http://bit.ly/1wUNv6T.

Dr. Seth Speaks at Long Beach Memorial Hospital

Tomorrow I will be giving an anti-bullying talk at Long Beach Memorial Hospital with Dr. Jose Navarro. Bullying is an epidemic but parents can help by talking to their kids about bullying - not once, but on a regular basis!

Friendship Breakups: When a Friend Stops Wanting You

I find in my clinical work that the experience of having a friend 'break up' with you as just as painful as when a romantic partner ends a relationship. Yet no one really talks about friendship breakups. Check out my full new article on the subject for Psychology Today!

Article here: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/insight-is-2020/201501/friendship-breakups-when-friend-stops-wanting-you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, PEOPLE!

Have a crazy fun but safe New Year's Eve, and a happy and productive year ahead! May dreams you're working toward come true!