This is a very interesting topic, I hope more people chime in. I really liked this advice I read on blackloveandmarriage.com:
1. Just because you increase from 1 income to 2 doesn’t mean you’re balling.
Unless you are Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman, chances are the minute you merged incomes you’re expenses increased. Why? Because you mistakenly have the mindset of “yea, we can buy it because on paper we make more money.” But guess what? It’s not so. And don’t even think about adding kids to the mix! Tip: Spend the first 3 years of marriage in a 2 bedroom apartment and live off 50-75% of your income and stash the rest in savings. For your first home, buy a duplex. Live in half and rent the other half. Stay there for 2 years. Then buy your dream house and rent out both sides of the duplex. Tada! You’ve just established generational wealth.