by percentages? even if you need to stay at home and take care of kids you still need to maintain your credit, keep something in your name, whether it s utility bills or credit cards. finally, when it comes to the big day, don t go broke. while it would be great to splurge on a wedding like the royals, for most of us that s simply not the smart thing to do. the knot.com said the average couple spent $27,000 on their wedding last year with 42 % of brides going over budget. it s not even including the honeymo honeymoon. don t start building a life together in debt. pull together a reasonable budget that won t put you in the red. become a master haggler and enlist family and friends to help you and pick one place to splurge if you have to while keeping the rest just under budget. do that and you re doing to start off in the green. suzanne? thank you, carmen. today s talk back question, does president obama s move subtle the birther issue in we re going to have your responses up next.