Money Conversations as a Couple | Culture Meets Money with Julien & Kiersten Saunders

• Julien and Kiersten Saunders are the founders of rich & REGULAR, a blog dedicated to those who want to live financially free.
• As special guests on Culture Meets Money, Julien and Kiersten shared the importance of discussing finances with your partner and family.
• The “money talk” can be an uncomfortable subject for couples, especially if they have never had a conversation before with a loved one like a parent or a sibling.

Julien and Kiersten Saunders are the founders of rich & REGULAR, a blog dedicated to those who want to live financially free. Julien and Kiersten are full-time entrepreneurs, former real estate investors, and authors of the book, Cashing Out: Win The Wealth Game By Walking Away.

Julien and Kiersten started rich & REGULAR with the outlook of wanting to create change and making people feel comfortable about talking about money. They also have a personal finance YouTube Series, Money on the Table, that brings uncomfortable conversations to the dinner table.

As special guests on Culture Meets Money, Julien and Kiersten shared the importance of discussing finances with your partner and family. Below are a few tips that they shared on how others can be financially intentional about their conversations.

Don’t Avoid The “Money Talk” With Your Partner

“Our money story is a part of our entire relationship story” 

- Julien Saunders 

The “money talk” can be an uncomfortable subject for couples, especially if they have never had a conversation before with a loved one like a parent or a sibling. However, communication is key in any relationship because it establishes trust and respect. When partners feel they can communicate with one another, it opens up a space to feel supported and help build a relationship that can last for the long haul. 

Recommended Read: How to Make Intentional Money Decisions

Starting the conversation will allow you to learn more about your partner regarding finances, and will allow for a good start to building wealth within your family. 

Julien and Kiersten suggested that partners start small with simple conversations and lead into bigger money conversations. Then, as you both grow, you can build a healthy foundation with each other. Start with small money conversations like budgeting, spending, and saving habits. Small money conversations can build a healthy foundation for bigger money conversations like paying for a wedding, opening combined bank accounts, buying a house, or having a baby.

Growing Up With Different Money Mindsets 

“I was raised to believe that money helps you build relationships.” 

- Kiersten Saunders

On the Culture Meets Money chat, Julien and Kiersten stated that married couples must learn about each other's money habits. If one person is a natural saver and the other is a natural spender, it doesn’t mean that either one is bad.

Image Credit: Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

Although money conversations can be scary at first, it’s crucial not to impose any fears on your partner. Instead, become financially aligned with your partner and be consistent with your conversations. Money conversations don’t always have to be about not-so-fun topics like paying off debt and paying bills.

Recommended Read: 4 Things Most of Our Parents Didn't Teach Us About Money

Julien and Kiersten decided to have hard conversations, which helped strengthen their relationship. One of their biggest money conversations was to pursue financial independence as a lifestyle. They decided that it made sense to focus on their entrepreneurial goals and build generational wealth for their family.

Dealing with Financially Insecure Family Members

“Keep your expenses low and your lifestyle simple. Then you set yourself up for when challenges come up you already have the cushion you need without disrupting what you have become accustomed to.”

- Kiersten Saunders 

Once you have established a united front with your partner, other issues may come your way. For Julien and Kiersten, one issue that arose was dealing with a financially insecure family member. Financial insecurity comes in many forms, like not having enough money to cover necessities or feeling bad about your finances. 

The possibility of financially supporting another family member was a conversation that both Julien and Kiersten had to agree on. Although it feels good to help a family member, it shouldn’t cost you your financial well-being and security.

Image Credit: Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

Maintaining a healthy relationship requires couples to establish boundaries for family members. Even if you can financially assist others without putting your finances in jeopardy, there still needs to be a conversion that outlines the limitations on how much you can help. 

Throughout the Culture Meets Money video, Julien and Kiersten mentioned that it’s important to be on the same page as your partner regarding your financial future. Otherwise, it will cause problems in other areas of your life. You never want to feel that your partner is undermining you. This is why communication is one of the most important tools that couples can use to stay connected and in agreement with their decisions.

Download the CapWay mobile app and subscribe to CapWay’s The Money Room to watch the full Culture Meets Money video with Julien and Kiersten Saunders.