Tips to help you avoid falling into a debt trap with your spouse

Once a spouse realizes that the other partner has spent money out of bounds without discussion, it's difficult to ever trust again, says Tina B. Tessina, a psychotherapist and author of "Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage." She suggests a few business tips to use at home to get on the right track.

Keep a close eye on the bottom line.

Set times to talk about finances when there are no distractions.

Check in with each other daily about what's going on in each other's lives.

Resolve money problems instead of reacting to them with criticism.