We are real romantic’s here at Irvine Wealth Planning Strategies / Rooted Planning Group! We want you to have a Money Date for Valentines Day!
To hear from a couple that clearly talks about money in their marriage, listen to Episode 51 - A Conversation with Brian and Natalie Hanks
“If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love.” - Maya Angelou
Do you need a “Money Date” for Valentines Day?
By: Financial Planner Kerrie Beene
What more could anyone want for Valentine's Day besides a serious talk about finances? That sounds romantic.....
Right, but sometimes these talks can end up bringing you closer. And, being on the same page with your spouse is worth more than any Valentine gift you could buy.
Money is in a lot of conversations that we have with our significant other. Small interactions about money happen on a daily basis. Sometimes, these harmless interactions can create a negative feeling. A lot of times, we may not even realize this is happening.
My husband makes me nervous on a daily basis because Bass Pro and Cabela's have it worked out where he gets at least one magazine or coupon from them daily. So, what does that lead to? ....... I need a gun, fishing poles, or even a boat... And, that was just this week.
However, he probably feels the same way when my magazines roll in..... JCrew, Ballard Designs, and Pottery Barn are always waiting on me when I open the mailbox. We actually need another piece of furniture... We really do. Isn't furniture considered a need?
These small conversations that come up daily can stir our emotions about money. The truth is, if you would sit down and get past the argument, you probably both have the same priorities. However, when we ignore the hard conversations, then the easy drive-by conversations can cause problems. I actually want him to have a boat, and he agrees that we need another piece of furniture. The problem is how will it be paid for and what are we not spending that money on that we should be.
I think in the busyness of day to day life we ignore the important issues and want to escape with the fun purchases. However, we both want our kids to go to college, and that hard conversation about money and priorities can be very helpful. The goal is for money to work for you, not you working for the money.
So, how do you have that hard conversation with your significant other?
Set goals and priorities first, together. Once goals are set, it makes the money conversation work better because you have agreed what is most important.
Be humble. If you are the one who handles the money, it is easy to see your spouse's mistakes. But, if you look closely, you have some too! And, let the past be the past! Don't go into the conversation in attack mode.
Don't expect perfection. Expect progress instead. Moving in the right direction is all that is necessary. Life happens and is hard sometimes. The point is to make sure you and your significant other are going in the same direction.
If a "Money Date" is what you need, schedule one with your spouse. If you are ready to take your financial planning to the next level, feel free to reach out to any of us at Rooted Planning Group. We all love goal planning and helping people figure out how to use their money to meet those goals!
Happy Valentines Day
Kerrie