Need Marriage Guidance? Want to Save Your Marriage? Move to France!

Online, November 18, 2009 (Newswire.com) - American couples are suffering more than couples in other countries, and need help. The study by ING Direct USA found that nearly 30% of Americans claim the recession has added stress or ruined their relationship or marriage; compared to Canadian couples at 23%; 24% for the French, and just 12% for Germans.

It's clear from the study that if American couples want stronger and happier marriages, they need more marriage guidance. In fact, American couples need more relationship help than couples in other countries, especially if they are to save their marriage from national and local economic stressors.

"This study reinforces what marriage educators already know, according to Jeff Ullman, Co-Chief Happiness Partner of HappierCouples.com, an online relationship coaching and concierge website. "If couples want any real chance at living happier ever after, they damn well better educate themselves about their greatest asset: their relationship!" According to Co-Chief Happiness Partner, Cindy Ullman: "The one area where too many couples didn't splurge enough on during the recent years of debt, was on themselves as a couple. Sure they wracked up plenty of high-priced items, but they almost wrecked their marriage! How much fun did they really have with their spouse? Did they have regular date nights; both would have strengthened their bonds."

The Ullmans should know a few things about relationships, because they helped more people meet and marry than anyone in the 20th Century, through the company that Jeff created, Great Expectations. "It's not easy to keep your vows in the 21st Century. We created HappierCouples.com to help couples know what to do after they said, 'I do'. By helping couples increase their fun, passion and friendship, and make it front and center in their relationship, any couple can come closer to living happier ever after." The site, scheduled to launch next week on Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, 2009, is a multimedia relationship coaching and concierge resource for couples. "American couples need all the help they can get with our economy in the dumpster, as it has been for so long now," said Jeff Ullman.

According to the ING study, Americans polled believed they will have to work an additional 10 years before they're able to retire. This pessimism outlook was not reflected in the comments of Europeans who were also polled.

Dr. Robert Epstein, former Editor-In-Chief of Psychology Today and creator of The Love Contract, has seen an increasing level of conflict, stress, pressure and divorce as a result of economic pressures. "It's not just the economy that's causing so much unhappiness for couples; it's mostly the sad fact that couples don't do what's necessary to keep their relationship as good as they expect it to be. They want the fairy tale to be true without putting in the work. Everyone could benefit by improving their relationship skills, regardless of how long they've been married or how happy they think they are."

The online survey of 1,052 adults conducted in Canada, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Australia also showed Americans are worried about credit card debt.

"That's yet another reason U.S. couples need a couples checkup of their relationship. A happy, successful relationship should NOT have to depend on your credit rating."