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Showing posts with the label Relationship Money

Beyond the Budget: Getting on the Same Page for Money Conversations in Marriage

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Marriage intertwines lives in countless ways – emotionally, physically, and certainly financially. This past Friday, I had a vivid reminder of just how deeply connected these threads become. It started like many Fridays, with a Bible study at a local coffee shop, but soon my day was delightfully hijacked. My wife, stepping in as a wedding ceremony planner for dear friends, had a full agenda for me. I got to help by setting out the chairs (which I believe is a spiritual gift of mine!), assisting with backdrops, perfecting table settings, and even battling the wind to keep decorations from flying away. Later, I carefully picked up and displayed cupcakes, ensuring they were picture-perfect for the cutting and easily accessible for all hands, big and small. The wedding party walked down the aisle, the couple exchanged heartfelt vows, and countless pictures captured their joy. The DJ spun tunes, coaxing brave souls onto the dance floor – though my own epic moves remained safely in my mind! ...

Beyond the Budget: Cultivating a Safe Space for Money Conversations

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  Beyond the Budget: Cultivating a Safe Space for Money Conversations Money. It's one of the most common topics that can spark tension, misunderstanding, and even outright conflict in relationships. We all know we should talk about it, but often, the conversations we have feel more like a battleground than a common ground. Just today, I heard a familiar story unfold. I was at a coffee shop, chatting with a group of friends. One of the men mentioned he’d recently received a raise and was eager to discuss with his wife how they could best use these new funds. He brought it up, hopeful for a collaborative discussion, only to be met with, “I don’t want to make that decision now.” He sighed, resigned, expecting that he’d likely just have to make the decision on his own. His story hit me hard because it echoed a significant failure from my first marriage, one I hope I've learned from deeply. In that relationship, my wife was truly the backbone of our home. She managed the household,...