By Cathi Coppinger

You’ve heard people say they are too poor to get divorced, well turns out we might be too poor to have a happy marriage too! A new study found it costs approximately $381,000 to have a happy marriage.  Here’s  the breakdown . . . $30,000 for a wedding and honeymoon. $2,000 a year for date nights.  That’s three dates a month at around $55 each. $800 a year for nights in.  That’s three nights a month and includes the cost of a Netflix subscription, iTunes movie downloads, drinks, and snacks. $435 a year for gifts and surprises.  $680 a year for jewelry. REALLY? I LIKE THAT ONE!  $277 a year for lingerie.  Remember, these are the costs for a HAPPY marriage, and that’s going to include lingerie once in a while. $232 a year on clothes and shoes for special occasions. $922 a year on weekends away. $2,400 a year on vacations. That’s $7,746 total every year.  Over 45 years, plus the wedding, it adds up to about $381,000.