She's fights debt, but husband adds to it

DEAR AMY: I have been married for 10 years and have a wonderful husband. We have two great kids and really have a good life, except that we live paycheck to paycheck, and I am tired of always being behind on bills. We don't have a lot of credit card debt, but we do have a bunch of short-term debt. I have committed myself to start paying down our debt. For example, I cut up the two credit cards and have been making biweekly payments on all of the short-term debt. Here is my issue: I don't feel as if my husband is on the same financial page. He is still spending money with little concept of how it affects our bills. He always says, "Don't worry; we will get through it." I have been doing really well for the past two months. I am ready to change and start saving toward buying a house. He professes to share this goal -- but his behavior is not helping us get there. I worry that his habits have sunk and will continue to sink us. This gives me stress. Do you have suggestions?Financially Stuck

DEAR STUCK: If you two could tackle your finances as a team -- openly and honestly and with complete disclosure -- it will not only improve your financial future but also improve your relationship and family life.

Money is a common marital stressor, but the opposite also is true: Dealing with money issues successfully actually will pull you closer as a couple.

A weekly household meeting where you two sit down and lay your bills out on the table will yield results.

If your husband is a "spender," he might choose to curb his habits if he sees the impact and long-term burden this debt has on his ability to spend in the future.

I am inspired by the energy and ideas that seem to flow, nonstop, from money adviser Clark Howard. His website, clarkhoward.com, is an excellent source of inspiration and information.