Navigating finances as a couple can feel vulnerable. Money is deeply personal. We all have different habits, values, and emotions tied up in how we spend, save, and think about money.
When you combine your life with someone, it inevitably brings up financial questions. How will we split shared expenses? What are each of our financial priorities? Do we combine all accounts or keep some separate? How do we talk about debt, budgets, retirement savings, and more?
These money talks can feel scary. Many couples avoid having hard financial conversations. It’s easier in the moment to ignore tension and uncertainty. But unaddressed conflict around finances is one of the top predictors of divorce.
In the past 7 years of being a money coach, I’ve learned a lot about how to help couples address their conflicts around money.
What I’ve found to be essential for couples is the cultivation of a safe space to discuss money openly and honestly – one where each person feels heard and secure.
From there you can:
- Unpack each of your unique financial histories, anxieties, and goals without judgment. Increased understanding leads to finding solutions that work for both people.
- Make specific shared plans for combining accounts, budgeting, paying off debt that work for you both. No more guessing.
- Learn skills like productive conflict and empathetic listening so future money talks are calm and solution-focused.
- Release guilt, shame and fear around finances. Feel more confident together.
You don’t have to do this work alone. I offer a free one-hour consultation so we can meet and see if my support might be helpful for you. If money is causing relationship tension, please reach out. You deserve financial peace, as a couple.
