The word budget makes many people feel restricted, much like a child sent to their room.

But when done well, with the guidance of a coach, budgeting can actually help you afford more of what you enjoy most with less stress and overwhelm. 

Cyndia Rivera joins us today to talk:

- budgeting basics,

- why couples hesitate or are afraid to ask for help, and

- how partners might be accidentally and unknowingly sabotaging each other budget-wise. 

She shares several real-life examples of couples who have improved their relationship (to each other and toward money); achieved their financial goals; reduced stress about money and bills; and who’ve set off on debt-free lifestyles...all as a result of some simple budgeting basics and accountability.

Connect with Cyndia, get some freebies, and find out more HERE!

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How healthy is your relationship with money & your honey? Find out HERE!

And for more money & relationships resources from your host, Adam Kol, visit: https://CouplesFinancialCoach.com

Note: This podcast was formerly known as The Equal Partners Podcast.

Adoption can be an emotionally and financially-taxing experience.

If you’re considering adoption, then Laura Coleman is your expert. She has both personal experience and also a business helping others prepare for adoption.

Listen in for (1) Laura’s story, which might make you question your assumptions, and (2) everything else you need to know about adoption!

Some pointers:

- Prior to adoption, identify what type of adoption you want. Then, you can research and discover the vehicle that will get you there.

As an example, let’s say you’d prefer a domestic adoption. Then, you can find an appropriate agency and see how much it costs. From there, you can build your funding plan. Laura even helps people build and create multiple sources of income to make this dream come true!

- There are many ways to raise money toward funding an adoption or fertility journey. Some ideas include grants, fundraising, borrowing, and side hustles AKA additional income streams. Laura’s Preparing Financially For Adoption Course helps walk you through the entire process. 

Stay until the end to hear how $30k got Laura nowhere, but $2,700 led to adopting 3 children!

A few highlights: 

- Couples often fight about money, but an adoption or fertility journey adds an entire layer to that. Her best advice to maintain your relationship? Have a “date night” fund and commit that focused 1:1 time. This will help you grow toward each other, even during the most emotional or tumultuous times. [11:40]

- If you have a high-deductible medical insurance plan, you’re eligible for a Health Savings Account (HSA). This is a great place to stuff savings in preparation for your future adopted child’s potential unknown medical needs. [15:55]

- The general assumption is that adoptions are expensive. This is in part due to that there may be some physical or medical needs that come with an adopted child. However, there is help out there! For example: tax credits; Medicaid; and other ways to structure your finances so that you can maximize the utility of any benefits offered to you.  [16:40]

Connect with Laura, get some freebies, and find out more HERE!

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How healthy is your relationship with money & your honey? Find out HERE!

And for more money & relationships resources from your host, Adam Kol, visit: https://CouplesFinancialCoach.com

Note: This podcast was formerly known as The Equal Partners Podcast.

If what has always helped you through life’s challenges just isn’t working anymore, it’s okay to seek help. Could couples therapy be a fit?

Therapy isn’t the ‘lay on a couch and share your feelings’ eye-rolling event the movies portray. When done well, it can help you and your partner get closer and happier than ever. 

70% of adults have experienced some level of trauma in their lives. When you become a couple, knowing your potential triggers is key! This will help to navigate intense, emotional conversations and to support each other when you need it most.

Every couple can benefit from learning about and discovering how to use tools to improve communication and resolve conflicts. For the disagreements that seem to be chronic, or at an impasse, there’s more to it than just a compromise.

 

A therapist can help you discover a solution.

This week’s guest, Ryan Baker, shows you how it’s done.

A few highlights: 

- The Four Horsemen of a failing relationship are: (1) criticism, (2) contempt, (3) defensiveness, and (4) stonewalling. Any of the four can be addressed and worked through in therapy, and this can repair or save the relationship. [7:49]

- Experiences we have as children and as adults continuously form and impact our core beliefs. The core beliefs that form over a lifetime affect everything - money, trust, relationships, friendships, and more. This is true even if you don’t realize that core belief exists or know why! [14:21]

- What happens if you as a couple can’t or don’t want to participate in therapy? couples avoid therapy over financial concerns, assumed stigmas, or because one partner refuses. In this case, individual therapy is an option. Also, something you can do right now, for free, is to (1) recognize and become acutely aware of your thoughts and (2) evaluate their validity. [19:55]

Connect with Ryan, get some freebies, and find out more HERE!

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How healthy is your relationship with money & your honey? Find out HERE!

And for more money & relationships resources from your host, Adam Kol, visit: https://CouplesFinancialCoach.com

Note: This podcast was formerly known as The Equal Partners Podcast.

Modern couples are taking the DIY wedding to a new level -- on this episode, Jessica Bishop teaches you how!

Couples are taking more ownership and personalizing their wedding celebrations. This creates a more authentic and personal experience rather than the traditional weddings of old. 

The first step toward planning a meaningful wedding is to discuss how large or intimate the celebration should be. When you identify joint priorities as a couple, then you can easily start looking into how much each component costs and determining: 

1. If you can afford it now, or 

2. How long it will take you to save up for it

 

From there, you can make a plan to jointly work toward saving up. This may include side hustles and/or creating a plan to have the wedding style and date you want!

There’s nothing wrong with eloping or having a small ceremony now and planning a big bash when the pandemic is over. This is especially true if you’re ready to just get your life started together and save up over time for that large party!

A few highlights: 

One of the biggest struggles (and expenses) in planning a wedding is the ever-expanding guest list. Keeping it intimate will save money, of course, but it will also ensure that you can provide a meaningful experience to each guest. [12:23]

When creating your guest list, use these 5 simple questions when deciding whether or not to add invitees. Don’t feel obligated to invite someone you haven’t seen in person within the past 2 years.

How can you navigate the financial conversation with parents or other contributors to the wedding budget? Practice being clear with communication about monetary values, the timing of payments, how the money flows, and any assumptions or stipulations accompanying the financial contribution. Your journey in discovering what stress is lack of communication versus fear of talking about money will be a valuable lesson applicable in nearly every aspect of your life.

Connect with Jessica, get some freebies, and find out more HERE!

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How healthy is your relationship with money & your honey? Find out HERE!

And for more money & relationships resources from your host, Adam Kol, visit: https://CouplesFinancialCoach.com

Note: This podcast was formerly known as The Equal Partners Podcast.

Natalie Gold believes that you can live a more successful, richer, happier life with the right plan in place.

Let’s ditch scary names like estate planning, trusts and estates, and other confusing after-death terms, she says. Most people don’t even do a will because nobody wants to think about death!

Instead, consider planning intentionally for the duration of your life. You can set things up so that they’re very clear to all involved, leaving a legacy of love instead of attorneys fees!

A big misconception is that estate attorneys only help old people set things up for when they die. In reality, trust and estate planning helps you throughout life with:

- negotiating salaries more intentionally, 

- starting new businesses, 

- protecting your assets against lawsuits, 

- pre- and post- nuptial agreements, 

- wills, and 

- financial advice toward properly funding children's college, retirement, and a lasting legacy!

A few highlights: 

1. Legacy planning isn’t just for the elderly. At 18, you (and your children) need a healthcare proxy. Legally, children are no longer under parents’ guardianship. So, documentation needs to be in place for making emergency medical decisions. [4:25]

2. Getting married is like starting a business, but even more intimate and, often, with the intention to raise children together. Drafting a marriage constitution beforehand allows both parties to outline the rules and regulations as equals. It also guarantees that both parties will be treated fairly if things don’t work out. [8:46]

3. You are forced to have a will already -- it’s the laws of your state! No matter who you’re estranged from or don’t disagree with, if you pass away without your wishes and terms documented, your parents or next of kin get everything. Going through the estate planning process and establishing a trust prevents your loved ones from suffering through the court system and unnecessary drama once you're gone. [15:29]

Connect with Natalie, get some freebies, and find out more HERE!

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How healthy is your relationship with money & your honey? Find out HERE!

And for more money & relationships resources from your host, Adam Kol, visit: https://CouplesFinancialCoach.com

Note: This podcast was formerly known as The Equal Partners Podcast.

99% of domestic abuse cases involve financial abuse. Beyond the trauma, on average financial abuse sets you back TEN years.   So, what happens when you want to start over with a healthy partner?   Alta Felix and Brandon Benton have been -- and still go -- through this. Now, Alta helps women restore their finances and identity after abuse. On today's episode, they share their wisdom around:

• Why self-awareness is the key to navigating a post-financial abuse partnership
• How financial abuse impacts your ability to choose healthy relationships
• Assuring your partner that you have their back, and
• When shared bank accounts can be counterproductive

This episode is full of laughs. It also left me with the warmest feeling of any episode I've recorded.   Listen to the end, as Alta drops a true gem for anyone who has experienced domestic abuse. If anyone you love has been through this, then please share this episode with them.   Connect with Alta, get some freebies, and find out more HERE!

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How healthy is your relationship with money & your honey? Find out HERE!

And for more money & relationships resources from your host, Adam Kol, visit: https://CouplesFinancialCoach.com

Note: This podcast was formerly known as The Equal Partners Podcast.

Kids are expensive! So, how can you do it mindfully?   Join Andy Hill, host of Marriage, Kids, and Money (so you know he's the expert!), as he reveals:

• The most important motivator to achieve your financial goals [hint: it's not about the numbers!]
• How Andy's family went from -$50k to $1M in net worth in just 10 years
• What you must know before buying a home
• When homeownership can become suffocating
• How your health insurance needs change as your family grows, and
• The keys to rocking a family budget that reflects your needs in any given moment

For anyone who has kids, is considering having kids, or has anyone they love who fits that description...you've gotta check out this episode!   Connect with Andy, get some freebies, and find out more HERE!

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How healthy is your relationship with money & your honey? Find out HERE!

And for more money & relationships resources from your host, Adam Kol, visit: https://CouplesFinancialCoach.com

Note: This podcast was formerly known as The Equal Partners Podcast.

What if I told you that you could both invest for retirement AND make the world a better place?   If that seems too good to be true, then listen to Certified Financial Planner Erica Blake break it all down for you.   Erica is an expert in ESG Investing. ESG means Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance. She explains how this movement:

- Helps you to align your investments with your values;

- Encourages companies to make better choices; and,

- Helps you to achieve your goals and feel proud of how you got there!

For the modern couple who cares about social impact and the environment, this episode is a MUST-LISTEN!   Connect with Erica, get some freebies, and find out more HERE!

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How healthy is your relationship with money & your honey? Find out HERE!

And for more money & relationships resources from your host, Adam Kol, visit: https://CouplesFinancialCoach.com

Note: This podcast was formerly known as The Equal Partners Podcast.

Managing money as a couple is hard enough...so what happens when we add in aging parents? Being a caretaker may mean giving up your career or income. Or, your parent's needs may eat away at your inheritance or retirement. No matter what, helping aging parents has big emotional and financial components. How can you help your family, care for yourself, preserve your marriage, AND rock your finances? Cathy Sikorski, Esq. will break it all down. She's an Elder Lawyer, an eight-time caretaker, a comedian, an author, and a finance geek. This episode can make all the difference for you and your parents, so listen in!

Connect with Cathy, get some freebies, and find out more HERE!

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How healthy is your relationship with money & your honey? Find out HERE!

And for more money & relationships resources from your host, Adam Kol, visit: https://CouplesFinancialCoach.com

Note: This podcast was formerly known as The Equal Partners Podcast.

Richard Gordon is a licensed financial advisor, world traveler, and founder of Afinitiv Wealth, a leading life insurance and wealth management company in Australia. 

With over 15 years of experience, Richard is passionate about steering the finance industry to where it should be, by making resources transparent and available to as many people as possible.  

In this episode Richard breaks down the differences between traditional advisors and Robo advisors, pointing out key economic trends that couples should consider when investing for retirement and their future.

Connect with Richard, get some freebies, and find out more HERE!

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How healthy is your relationship with money & your honey? Find out HERE!

And for more money & relationships resources from your host, Adam Kol, visit: https://CouplesFinancialCoach.com

Note: This podcast was formerly known as The Equal Partners Podcast.