Marriage and money: why spouses fight about money, how to fight with empathy, and how to convince your spouse to FIRE

#65: Last time we talked about money issues when dating.But dating isn’t the end game (for most).As the schoolyard song goes: “First comes love, then comes marriage…”…And money matters, if anything, get amplified once you’re married.It’s why money problems are the top or second leading cause of failed marriages (read: divorce) depending on which study you read…and it’s always a contributing factor even if it isn’t the straw that breaks the camel’s back.So this week, I continue my conversation with Megan McCoy and Ed Coambs, two leading marriage therapists who specialize in financial therapy and conflict, to discuss how money matters get more complex after marriage…and what spouses can do about it to preserve and strengthen their relationship.We discuss:The most common reasons and triggers why couples fight about moneyWhether keeping separate money accounts is a good ideaHow to fight about money productively, with empathy, to keep your relationship healthy and even strengthen itWhere spouses should learn to compromise when it comes to money and financesIntentional money rituals that spouses can do to keep their relationship healthyHow to get your spouse on board with early retirement (and the financial sacrifices required to do it)Check it out here:https://hackyourwealth.com/money-marriageWhat is the most important thing young married couples should know about handling money issues together? Do you think keeping separate money accounts is a good idea? What’s your best advice for fighting about money with your spouse, with empathy? Let me know by leaving a comment.Don't miss an episode, hit that subscribe button...If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes!Apple PodcastsOvercastSpotifyStitcherI need your help, please leave a listener review :)If you liked this episode, would you please leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts? It’d mean the world to me and your review also helps others find my podcast, too!Links mentioned in this episode:Ed Coambs’ Healthy Love & MoneyMegan McCoy, Ph.D., LMFTMoney Scripts article; Klontz Money Script InventoryPrepare Enrich workbook for couplesDew, J., & Dakin, J. (2011). Financial Disagreements and Marital Conflict Tactics. Journal of Financial Therapy, 2 (1) 7Love Sense: The Revolutionary New Science of Romantic RelationshipsHealing Your Attachment Wounds: How to Create Deep and Lasting Intimate RelationshipsHYW private Facebook community Intro/Outro: Old Bossa by Twin Musicom.

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As a lawyer / engineer / MBA, how can you achieve FIRE (financial independence, retire early) rapidly to quit the rat race, pursue your passions, and live life on your own terms? Andrew Chen – founder of the Hack Your Wealth Blog and lawyer, financial expert (CFA graduate), and tech industry veteran – shows you strategies and tactics to (1) earn, (2) save, (3) invest, and (4) protect as a high earner so that you can build massive wealth and create a portfolio that’s a FIRE machine. Through solo lessons, expert interviews, and side hustle profiles, you’ll learn about tax strategies, retirement account optimization, asset allocation & rebalancing, passive income (real estate investing, side hustling, online business, digital nomading), family finances (e.g., strategizing college education costs), travel hacking, estate planning, and career transitions. Andrew podcasts about the big picture concepts, then adds step-by-step implementation guides downloadable from the Hack Your Wealth website to help you FIRE strategically, methodically, and rapidly.