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It’s one thing if your partner lives paycheck to paycheck, racks up debt, or finds himself out of work; it’s a bigger problem when he simply doesn’t care.

Financial arguments are some of the most difficult for couples to overcome, according to recent research from Kansas State University. Meanwhile, the top predictor of divorce, by far, is the number and severity of money arguments a couple has during their relationship.

During the year or so before I reached my ultimate financial bottom, I had this faint sense in the back of my head that I needed to make some financial changes in my life. I knew that I needed to start doing things differently or else I would never build the life that I wanted.

But, that voice was a quiet one.

I kept telling myself that I could do it tomorrow or next year. Right now, I wanted to do other things instead. I put it off until later, taking on things that felt more urgent at the time.

Eventually, I learned how big of a mistake all of that procrastination was. I reached a point where I couldn’t keep my bills paid and I entered into a very painful era of transforming everything about my financial life.

I came out clean on the other side, thankfully, and I’m headed down that road toward financial independence.

With its warm, lakefront location, extremely low cost of living, and lively expat community, Granada, Nicaragua, has become a popular retirement haven for Americans willing to think outside the border. Photo: Nickelstar

More than 373,000 Americans had retired abroad by 2013, according to the Social Security Administration, and for various reasons. For some, the decision to retire overseas could be based on a desire to experience different cultures and surroundings. Others may want to be closer to relatives or friends.

Amanda wrote in with a great question for the reader mailbag via my Facebook page and, as is sometimes the case, my answer grew to such a great length that I decided it deserved a post on its own. Here’s her question:

I work at a place with a lot of affluent families. We are lower middle class and try to be generally frugal and save for retirement and whatnot. I also know that we are way better off than many people in the world. I still however struggle with jealousy of the others I see with way more. It’s not the “stuff” I want. I just want to be able to afford things for my kids like excellent schooling, college, lessons and travels. I see people going on all these nice trips to see the world and we just can’t do that. I worry so much about what their future will be like. I bet this sounds crazy, but I want to know your advice for dealing with these thoughts.