CV, I've read your response. I'm quite busy ATM so I will have to come back to your post as soon as I can.
In the mean time, you are on the right track as you continue to work on you... it has more benefits than just for you.
That lightly touches on the DB idea that changing ourselves changes the R and to that end, changes by one person means that the other spouse simply can not stay in the M and NOT contribute...