Money disagreements with your spouse can be frustrating. Emotions can also add fuel to the fire. So what do you do? Here are 3 steps to resolve your money disagreements.
1- Initiate an HDR attitude – honest, direct and respectful. Keeping this attitude in mind will control emotional outbursts.
2- Set a time to discuss the issue when you can eliminate all distractions – TV, social media, kids (if you can’t find a babysitter then talk after your kids are asleep).
3- Allow each person to explain their perspective. Through this action, you may develop a compromise for your money disagreements.
If the above steps do not work, then ask your Certified Financial Planner™ professional for help. Your CFP® can calculate how much each option would amount to and how it would impact other financial goals or lifestyle desires.
Here’s an example: Linda and Tom are married. Linda wants to retire early but Tom wants her to continue working. He feels they need her income to continue living their lifestyle. They reach out to their CFP® for help. Their CFP® calculates their current spending. From there, Linda and Tom identify which expenses could easily be reduced. With the adjusted spending, they realize they could survive on Tom’s income. Next, they looked at their retirement savings to see how it would be impacted without Linda’s contribution. By working with a CFP®, Linda and Tom were able to control their emotions and focus on numbers to make a decision on their money disagreement.
Another example: Carrie and Brad are married. Carrie wants to pay for all of their son’s college expenses. Brad feels it would adversely impact their lifestyle and retirement savings. They reach out to their CFP® who runs different scenarios for them. With this information, Carrie and Brad are able to understand how paying for all or a portion of their son’s college would impact them financially now and in the long term.
Money disagreements with your spouse can easily spiral out of control. When you are unable to agree, reach out to your Certified Financial Planner™ professional to help find a solution. Controlling emotions and focusing on numbers will help resolve money disagreements.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Niv Persaud, CFP®, CDFA™, CRPC®, is the Founder of Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC. Life is more than money. It’s about living the lifestyle you want and can afford. For that reason, Niv consults with clients on money, life and work. Her approach capitalizes on techniques she learned throughout her career, including as a management consultant, executive recruiter and financial advisor. Her services include spending plan, financial plan, divorce financial review, life strategy and professional progression. Niv actively gives back to her community through her volunteer efforts. She believes in living life to the fullest by cherishing friendships, enjoying the beauty of nature and laughing often — even at herself. Her favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me’.”