Hollywood has long promoted the idea of love stories and relationships that end with “and they lived happily ever after.” But the reality is, Hollywood lies. No relationship is perfect, and no marriage is made up only of happy, peaceful days of intimacy and bliss. Common marriage problems exist in every union, and bad days come around. But just because you and your spouse are experiencing the common marriage problems, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a largely happy and fulfilling relationship.

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Here are some of the common marriage problems experienced by many couples today:

Common marriage problem #1: Faulty communication. Sure, you love each other, but you feel he doesn’t understand you? Or you sometimes wonder if she is even really listening to you? Poor communication is one of the most common marriage problems, but the good news is that people can learn to communicate better if they work at it. Therapy can help resolve many issues in the common marriage problem, and you and your spouse can practice and develop more satisfying ways to communicate with each other. Get help from a trained and certified couple’s therapist and help alleviate this common marriage problem.

Common marriage problem #2: Financial issues. The stress of financial problems can put a huge strain on married partners, and so this is also one of the most common marriage problems around. Everyone comes into a marriage with different philosophies about money and spending, and it can be hard to mesh the two viewpoints together into one unified way of handling it. This common marriage problem can be resolved by open communication, as well as education into finances and determining what your financial goals are for your family. Once you’re on the same page, this common marriage problem might be a little less common in your relationship. Consider setting some long term goals, like buying a new home or taking a fancy vacation, to help you work together on a realistic budget.

Common marriage problem #3: Taking each other for granted. Once the newness of your relationship wears off and you’ve been together for years, you and your spouse can begin to feel under-appreciated or put upon by the other. This common marriage problem needs to be resolved if the relationship is to thrive, and sometimes can just take awareness and a little more diligent effort to let each other know how you feel and how much you appreciate what the other does.

The common marriage problems listed above don’t have to be relationship-busters; each one can be corrected with awareness and commitment on the part of both you and your spouse. Don’t let common marriage problems dampen your love and commitment to each other in the long run.