Sugarmoon - Spring Edition 2019 Sugarmoon - Spring 2019 | Page 21

it happen! Taking the time now to talk about money opens a profitable line of communication. TEAMWORK conversation with, “I blew it. I said I wasn’t going to spend any money on 'X' but I did. I want you to know that I care about you and our relationship and I broke a promise and I am sorry.” Trust your companion. Additionally, trust that they have your back and want the best for both you. Remember two are better than one when it comes to money strategies. Being transparent will help decrease and eliminate the money fights because you are cutting off the fight at the pass. Everyone hates money surprises and appreciates a sincere apology! If you entered a boat race with a million dollars on the line and you were given the choice of rowing alone or having another person help you row, which would you choose? Two people rowing together beats one rowing all alone. TIMING TRANSPARENCY When it comes to your money, put those cards on the table. This means being totally upfront and honest. Many times couples aren’t transparent because we don’t want to be told, “No” from our spouse or significant other. Many of us would rather endure the fight, instead of being transparent and shareing how much we spent or that we broke a money promise. Find the right time and start the Timing is everything! This is really true when it comes to money. The other week Bethany and I had a minor bump in the road with our finances. Our car broke down. It was no one’s fault; it just was one of those things. Bethany found out it was going to cost more to fix than it was worth so she started making plans to get another car. I misunderstood what it was going to cost and I tend to worry about the budget anyway. So, I came home in a huff and it sent us into a tailspin. All sorts of stuff came up in that “conversation” (OK, read: fight). Should have taken our own advice on that one! Sorry, Hon! THINK We have all heard “think before you speak.” The reality is, we hardly ever do it. When you feel your blood boiling and you are about to lose it, just walk away or take a break. Think about the other person’s feelings, think about the situation, and how it is really going to affect your money, and think about how you are going to explain your concern to your significant other. Think it through and save yourself from a major fight! Get lots of helpful tools and our FREE infographic on The Anatomy of a Money Fight at TheMoneyCouple.com under Resources for Money Fights. Fighting isn’t fun. We all hate it. No one wins. Use the top five “T’s” for a healthier, wealthier relationship. Bottom line was that my timing could not have been worse. I should have waited until we were both ready for the conversation and the kids were asleep. The conversation needed to happen but my timing was terrible. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Scott and Bethany Palmer, The Money Couple, each have 20 years of financial advising experience, are love and money experts, authors, TV Personalities, radio regulars and speakers who help couples solve money issues in their relationship. Grab a copy of The 5 Money Personalities: Speaking the Same Love and Money Language, and take the FREE online Money Personality Assessment. TheMoneyCouple.com 21