Better money conversations with your partner

Help with money stress for engaged and newlywed couples

You and your partner have been together for a while. Maybe you’re engaged (congrats!!!), maybe you just got married (woohoo!). You’ve had a few conversations about money…but you’re not quite sure how to figure it all out together. The way you’ve been doing things kind of works, but you know there’s something better out there. You’ve also got a few things where you don’t see eye-to-eye and you’re not sure how to resolve them. That’s where I come in–a neutral third party who’s worked with dozens of couples, seen dozens of ways to handle finances, and can help the two of you align your goals, vision, and future dreams.

70% of married or cohabitating Americans have disagreed with their partner about finances in the last year.

  • The most common causes of disagreements were needs vs. wants, spending priorities, and one person making purchases without telling the other.
  • Part of the point of our conversations will be to tackle some of those differences of opinion before they become a major issue. 
  • We’ll focus on building combined goals and communication strategies around financial decisions.
  • It’s ok to disagree about how to manage your money, but finding common ground and discussing those differences will bring you closer together.

41% of people living with a partner would be at least somewhat likely to end the relationship if their partner was dishonest with them about finances.

Another part of what we’ll do together is sit down and put all the financial cards on the table: income, debt, spending habits, expectations, wants vs. needs (specifically, differences around what are needs and what are wants for each of you). How much are you comfortable with your partner spending without checking in with you first? Putting it all out there lets you both enter the marriage confident that you can trust your partner.

Does that sound terrifying? You’re not alone. Almost everyone (including me and most of the other financial coaches I know) have a lot of negative stuff around money. Shame, guilt, fear…they’re all there for most of us. But the whole “honesty is the best policy” saying does exist for a reason. Better to see everything out in the open where you can plan together.