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Finding Balance: When One Partner Worries More About Money
“I have anxieties around the same exact situation as you, but you have a different feeling from it.”
Our hosts, Natalie and Dan Slagle, know that even in a happy, communicative marriage, the topic of money can be a bit of a minefield. But what happens when one partner is way more anxious about money than the other? That’s the question Dan and Natalie are looking to unpack.
To start with, they each take the “spendthrift-tightwad” test—a scale developed by researchers to measure how freely (or not) you spend. Dan scores a 12, making him a cusp neutral “unconflicted consumer.” Natalie lands squarely in “tightwad” territory between 8 and 9. The results don’t surprise either of them, but they do open the door to a deeper discussion.
Natalie shares that her need to track every dollar stems from a tendency toward control, especially when it comes to long-term security. Dan, meanwhile, is more focused on balance—enjoying the present while still saving for the future. This mismatch in money mindset often leads to friction, but also opportunities for growth.
It’s not about changing each other—it’s about understanding the “why” behind each partner’s money habits. With the right tools and ongoing conversations, Natalie and Dan believe that financial tension can become a bridge, not a barrier.
Key Topics:
- Spendthrift vs Tightwad Mindsets (06:53)
- Natalie and Dan’s Spendthrift-Tightwad Test Results (11:46)
- Causes for Financial Anxiety (16:59)
- Steps to Reduce Financial Anxiety Within Marriage (19:51)
- Tools for Better Financial Communication (23:39)
Resources:
- The Tightwad-Spendthrift Scale: https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_55xxAQrYK0WRlY2
Schedule a Free Consultation: Go to https://www.fyoozfinancial.com and click the button in the upper right-hand corner
Join our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest financial resources: https://www.fyoozfinancial.com/signup
Natalie Slagle, CFP® and Dan Slagle, CFP® are the founding partners and lead financial planners at Fyooz Financial Planning https://www.fyoozfinancial.com/ — an independent firm dedicated to helping high-earning couples in their 30s and 40s confidently navigate the complexities of managing money together.
At Fyooz, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals.
Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit https://www.fyoozfinancial.com/
View all episodes
By Natalie Slagle and Dan Slagle“I have anxieties around the same exact situation as you, but you have a different feeling from it.”
Our hosts, Natalie and Dan Slagle, know that even in a happy, communicative marriage, the topic of money can be a bit of a minefield. But what happens when one partner is way more anxious about money than the other? That’s the question Dan and Natalie are looking to unpack.
To start with, they each take the “spendthrift-tightwad” test—a scale developed by researchers to measure how freely (or not) you spend. Dan scores a 12, making him a cusp neutral “unconflicted consumer.” Natalie lands squarely in “tightwad” territory between 8 and 9. The results don’t surprise either of them, but they do open the door to a deeper discussion.
Natalie shares that her need to track every dollar stems from a tendency toward control, especially when it comes to long-term security. Dan, meanwhile, is more focused on balance—enjoying the present while still saving for the future. This mismatch in money mindset often leads to friction, but also opportunities for growth.
It’s not about changing each other—it’s about understanding the “why” behind each partner’s money habits. With the right tools and ongoing conversations, Natalie and Dan believe that financial tension can become a bridge, not a barrier.
Key Topics:
- Spendthrift vs Tightwad Mindsets (06:53)
- Natalie and Dan’s Spendthrift-Tightwad Test Results (11:46)
- Causes for Financial Anxiety (16:59)
- Steps to Reduce Financial Anxiety Within Marriage (19:51)
- Tools for Better Financial Communication (23:39)
Resources:
- The Tightwad-Spendthrift Scale: https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_55xxAQrYK0WRlY2
Schedule a Free Consultation: Go to https://www.fyoozfinancial.com and click the button in the upper right-hand corner
Join our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest financial resources: https://www.fyoozfinancial.com/signup
Natalie Slagle, CFP® and Dan Slagle, CFP® are the founding partners and lead financial planners at Fyooz Financial Planning https://www.fyoozfinancial.com/ — an independent firm dedicated to helping high-earning couples in their 30s and 40s confidently navigate the complexities of managing money together.
At Fyooz, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals.
Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit https://www.fyoozfinancial.com/