How do you balance time spent with each other and time spent with friends (away from each other)?
The time spent with your spouse should be your first priority. Â If you are doing that adequately, schedule time with your friends. Â Try to do this at a time that does not take away from each other. Â If your partner has good friendships, encourage them to nurture those friendships, but not at the expense of your relationship with your spouse.
I draw strength from lots of solitude, which makes my partner feel like I’m ignoring her. Giving “enough†attention is exhausting. Compromise?
I, Joyce, regroup when I am alone.  Marv is re-fueled by people.   Instead of arguing about the differences, it is important that we acknowledge these  differences and accommodate them when we can.   When we are doing seminars,  I may slip away to our hotel room to be alone, while Marv continues to visit.   He is not ignoring me – both of our needs are being met.  On the other hand, if you marry a “needy†person he/she may continue to drain you. Some people need to look at their insatiable need for attention and address that before walking down the aisle.  The person who longs alone time can schedule that at times it doesn’t take away from your partnership.  i.e.  commute  from work, spouse’s business trip, etc.
How can I keep my mate in balance, so he won’t be so thrifty/tight?
You can’t!  You can discuss your concerns about their “tightness.â€Â Look at yourself and see if perhaps you spend too easily. In relationships, in trying to balance the other person, we sometimes go the opposite direction.   It is healthier to talk about it, and each try to grow in your area of weakness, than to go to opposite extremes.
When life is so busy, and we both have to work and take care of the household, how do you keep romance and intimacy alive in your marriage? Â Â What can we do as a wife and a husband to let each other know that the love and attraction is still there day after day?
Because life is so busy, intentionally put each other on your calendar every week for a date. Plan some get-aways for the future. During these times, you will have more time to talk and dream. That is how you build intimacy. Verbalize your love for each other every day – that is how you will know!