Back in 2014, a study was commissioned in the UK to determine whether or not money could actually buy happiness. Surprisingly, 60% of Brits were revealed that they were indeed more satisfied with life than residents in poorer nations, suggesting that those with greater financial resources are indeed predisposed to happiness.
This is not necessarily the case, however, and in fact it is often the smaller details and non-materialistic gestures that provide true happiness in life. This is something for all of us to bear in mind, especially as we look to take care of our loved ones, wives and make our relationships work.
This is particularly important for us guys, who tend to appraise our romantic gestures based on financial value and bottom line cost, to remember. Instead, we should focus on the small and non-material things that we can do consistently to make our wives happy. For example:

1. Break down gender stereotypes and work as a team with your wife

While men and women should take on alternative roles in their relationship, these should not be based these on gender alone. As a husband, you therefore need to break down traditional gender stereotypes and instead consider your relationship as a unique union between two equal partners. By working as a team with your wife and undertaking your share of household and child-raising chores, you can create a happy and empowering relationship.

2. Listen to your wife’s concerns without trying to fix the problem

This is often difficult for us guys to manage, as the male of the species is often inclined to being proactive and resolving problems practically. Conversely, women tend to be more in touch with their emotions and reflective, meaning that they want to share their feelings without judgment or their partners attempting to fix the problem. From experience I know how important it is to listen, allowing my wife to vocalize her issues and come to her own conclusions.

3. Speak kindly to your wife and express gratitude

While actions may speak louder than words, the way in which we communicate without our wives is central to their happiness. Speaking kindly to your wife is the verbal embodiment of a gentle and loving relationship, as taking the time to showcase appreciation for her as an individual underlines how grateful you are for everything that she does for you as a partner.

4. Support your wife’s dreams and make them come true

When my wife wanted to earn her law degree, I took on additional work as she gave up her full-time role to concentrate on her studies. This act enabled her to pursue her dreams, underlining the importance of providing emotional and practical support for your partner’s endeavors. Without this type of selflessness and a willingness to recognize your wife’s aspirations, you relationship can easily become lost in a sea of narcissism.

5. Compliment your wife’s physical appearance and achievements

On a similar note, it is imperative that you also take the time to compliment your wife’s achievements (both at home and in the workplace). There is no point empowering her to achieve her dreams if you then ignore her accomplishments, so constantly strive to reinforce her efforts and compliment her success. The same principle can be applied to her physical appearance, as I always look to compliment my wife whenever she sports a new hairstyle or outfit, as this makes her feel feminine and attractive as an individual.

6. Tell your wife that you love her

You will probably have noticed by now that these steps are breathtakingly simple, so long as you are proactive and consistent in your approach. I try to tell my wife that I love here every single day, taking every opportunity to reaffirm the joy and value that she adds to my life. This is one thing that can never be in question in a progressive relationship, and as a guy it is your duty to take the lead in this respect.

7. Never be afraid to apologize to your wife

We have already touched on the importance of listening to your wife, but occasionally there may be a need to take direct action and apologize for your actions. I have a unique sense of humor that can sporadically cross the line, for example, while my wife is a little more conservative and sometimes take umbrage at my jokes. When I do cross this line, I take the initiative to apologize quickly and remember the importance of respecting my wife’s outlook.

8. Take responsibility for everything that you do

This advice has quite a broad remit, as it can be applied to everything from everyday chores to large-scale financial decisions. Even when you work as a team, you may well find yourself responsible for certain decisions or actions within your marriage, and it is important that you take responsibility for every one of these. This breeds trust and honesty in a relationship, and my wife can certainly take solace in the fact I can be expected to follow through on promises or actions.

9. Be proactive when generating money to treat your wife

By now, it should be obvious that money alone cannot buy happiness. It can still play a role in creating memorable experiences within your marriage, however, as you look to plan romantic getaways for you and your wife. There is nothing wrong with this, so long as you take the initiative to seek out creative and innovative ways to raise money. Whether this involves selling unwanted kid’s items and old technology or freelancing for a brief period of time is up to you, the key is that you take responsibility and adopt an independent approach to funding your romantic endeavors.

10. Always ask for your wife’s opinion

As well as empowering your wife in the pursuit of her dreams, you should take the time to immerse her in your own. You can achieve this simply by asking for her insight or opinion on a host of important decisions, particularly difficult choices that are career-related and will have an impact on your marriage. Not only is this integral to teamwork, but it also helps me to tap into an intelligent, experienced and caring resource.