Destination weddings … a do or don’t? — Forever 39 Podcast

Welcome to Forever 39, New Jersey 101.5's new podcast about living life as Gen Xers in New Jersey, hosted by Annette Petriccione, Megan Barsel and lots of our friends from the NJ 101.5 universe.

Destination Weddings - A Do or a Don't?

If you've ever been invited to a destination wedding, you probably had to check your bank account first to see if you could afford to attend before mailing the RSVP. NJ 101.5 news anchor and producer Patrick Lavery joins us we discuss whether destination weddings are a yes or a no.

Whatever you think about them, they are popular. In fact, 21 percent of couples had a destination wedding in 2015, according to results of The Knot 2015 Real Weddings Study. And it's no wonder why, it's a huge cost savings for many couples. On average, destination weddings cost between $10,000 and $20,000, that compares to the average national cost of a hometown wedding of $32,641. And that price climbs even higher if you decide to marry in New Jersey. According to the study, the average cost of a wedding in Central and North Jersey is $55,389.  In South Jersey, it's $43,223.

So while destination weddings are certainly cheaper for the couple getting married, they are likely to cost those attending a lot more. Did you throw a destination wedding?  Thinking about it or have attended one?

Couples and money - How do you handle it?

Can’t Buy Me Love? How should money be handled in committed relationships? All in one pot?  Joint and individual accounts?  Completely separate dough?

A survey released by SunTrust in 2015 found that 35 percent of couples cite finances as their top relationship stressor. And even if finances aren't the top stressor, there are plently of couples that don't have the same thoughts about money. In fact, Suntrust found that almost half of those surveyed said they have opposite spending habits from their partners.

Megan and Patrick handle finances differently in each of their marriages. Do their respective systems work for you?

So how do you handle money in your relationship?

Let's talk TV - What beloved TV character would you love to be?

Who’d You Be?  The trio takes an imaginative turn by having some fun wondering what TV character would you love to be?  Focused on TV shows of the 80s and 90’s, the group discusses the intrique of Pam Ewing’s glamour on Dallas, wonders if the chemistry of Maddie and David on Moonlighting had you daydreaming or if you would like to be on the lanai in Miami as one of the Golden Girls?  80s, 90s or now ... let us know who you would be!

Join us for next week's podcast when we're joined by NJ 101.5 multimedia producer Joe Votruba to discuss if there's a right time to say "I love you," our top Facebook annoyances ... there are so many, and the celebrities we miss the most.

Share your thoughts on all of them below, on Twitter, on Facebook or at forever39@nj1015.com.

— Annette and Megan, Forever 39