You have found the perfect partner.

You decide it's time to take the plunge and get married. Congratulations and the best decision you can ever make.

Having a partner in life can be a very key part of being successful.

One seminar I went to years before I married mentioned "finding the right partner for your life & business is truly the key to success". I have every reason to believe this :)

Here is my 3 step program for all of you planning OR getting married in 2011 that seems to be working based on my experience and those of clients I know.

1) GETTING HITCHED & NEED CASH!

Instead of asking for the usual list of gifts at your wedding, ask for money for a downpayment. It's 2011 and your parents likely understand that a set of dishes is NOT the best start to a life of wedded bliss.

2) BUY EARLY. 

How do you FREEZE the price of real estate? Buy a home as early as humanly possible & wait 5-10 yrs. In some cases, this may happen before the actual wedding. Buying your starter home in Toronto in 2000 would have cost you $200k. That same home is now worth close to $500k at year 10. You would have paid off the mortgage and have $300k to put down on your next home.

3) IT COSTS MONEY TO MAKE MONEY.

Although you do have to work and may want a family, do not forget the importance of investing in your property. I advise you put aside 1% of the value of your home (when you bought it) per year. Less for a condo. Things like roofing, plumbing, landscaping etc should always be kept updated. What you do NOT want is to have to spend 10% of your value all at once due to lack of maintenance.