Money can’t buy love, but you can factor the equivalent in terms of money. That’s the principle behind “Money, Sex, and Happiness: An Empirical Study” by Economists David Blanchflower and Andrew Oswald. According to their study, a happy marriage brings the happiness equivalent of having an extra $100,000 per year.
A happy, stable relationship provides emotional insurance against life’s hard times as well as a harmonious sharing of responsibilities. Who couldn’t use a cushion against the harsh demands and occasional tragic events of life?
Although a happy marriage equated with a boost in income; divorce is equated with a loss. The loss of $66,000 per year is quoted (in the aforementioned study) as the equivalent level of unhappiness experienced with divorce. Marriage counseling gives an objective point of view a couple couldn’t reach on their own. The neutral barrier a counselor provides between fighting spouses establishes a respectful dialog to restore your relationship.
How much is your happiness worth? Your emotional involvement and the relatively small price of counseling, when compared to the benefits of a happy life is a worthy investment in your future.