Marrying a Russian woman is often associated with spending tons of money on marriage agencies, visas, green cards and travel. In reality, these costs are not that bad and if you marry a typical Russian woman, she will show you frugality on a completely different level.
The majority of Russian women are taught to be frugal and I think many of them have the ability to save money in their genes. Russian women know how to cook and are able to make very nice meals even if their refrigerator is empty. I think that the older the woman, the better the ability, because women in their 30s and 40s have lots of experience in creating masterpieces out of nothing and having the full and nicely served table when all they have is three ingredients.
During the Soviet era, many people could afford to buy delicacies and good quality products, but because shelves at the stores were very empty, they had to work with what they got. I remember those times very well and even though we didn’t have much, I don’t recall ever skipping a meal or eating the same thing for 2 days in a row. My mother always made tasty and nutritious meals and I never felt that we were lacking something.
If we had leftover meat from one meal, she would use the leftovers to create a completely different meal the next day. She would make everything from scratch: bake bread, prepare soups, etc. Eating out was not really popular unless it was a big holiday and instant meals have never been popular in Russia. Many Russian women cook well and don’t acknowledge any frozen or fast foods. Most of them are very handy and can sew and knit, which can save money as well.
I have to warn you that some Russian women, who were forced to live poorly and count every penny, come to the United States and go nuts. They buy food and clothes they don’t need just because they are available and they can buy them. If this becomes a problem and instead of saving money, your Russian woman is going to get you deeper in debt, talk to her and kindly explain that credit cards do have to be paid off and that the closet has only so much space.
I personally knew a Russian woman who was like that. She shopped till she dropped not because she needed stuff, but because she enjoyed the process. Her husband just shook his head and let it go, because they could afford it. However, when during the economic crisis the husband lost his job, my acquaintance stopped shopping and focused on preparing cheap meals, hunting for the best deals, clipping coupons and lowering their bills as much as possible.
Russian women and Russians in general were trained to survive in unfortunate circumstances. I can’t speak for the younger generation (those who are younger than 20), but everyone who experienced hard times, even as a child, is programmed to adjust to difficult circumstances and financial hardships.
Don’t be surprised if your Russian wife insists on packing lunches for you every day or goes to the store armed with forty seven combinable coupons. If you can afford luxury, she will quickly adjust to it and enjoy it, but if for some reason you are forced to be frugal, you will thank yourself for marrying a Russian woman, because they are professionals in saving money. If they have to or want to do it that is.
