November 12, 2025

How to Talk About Money With Your Partner Without Fighting | Heather & Douglas Boneparth

35 minutes

Talking about money with your spouse can be hard, especially when emotions, expectations, and old habits get involved. In this episode, we explore how couples can discuss money without fighting and move toward fairness, trust, and teamwork.

Our guests, Heather and Douglas Bonaparth, are a married couple who know both the financial and emotional sides of money. Heather is a lawyer turned writer, and Douglas is a nationally recognized financial advisor and founder of Bonafide Wealth. Together, they co-authored Money Together, a book that helps couples create equity in their relationships and communicate more effectively about finances.

We discuss how to approach tough conversations about spending, why understanding your financial beginnings matters, and how to replace accusation with curiosity. Heather and Douglas also share practical advice on balancing contributions at home and work, maintaining fairness when one partner earns more, and building a marriage rooted in empathy and shared goals.

PODCAST CHAPTERS

00:00 – Welcome and introduction

01:00 – Why money can be a sticky subject in marriage

02:00 – How our beginnings shape our money beliefs

03:30 – Common money conflicts in relationships

05:15 – The importance of curiosity and empathy

06:30 – Setting the right time and place for money talks

08:00 – Start with wins, not criticism

09:00 – Turning money conversations into teamwork

10:45 – Redefining contribution beyond income

13:00 – Creating fairness at home and in finances

15:30 – Building equity in your marriage

17:30 – Moving away from traditional gender roles

19:30 – Balancing breadwinning and identity

22:30 – Power dynamics and redefining success

25:00 – Learning from couples who do it right

27:00 – How to start small and lead with vulnerability

29:00 – The role of time, communication, and empathy

31:30 – About the book Money Together and where to learn more

RESOURCES & NOTES

📚 Money Together by Heather and Douglas Bonaparth – Learn how to create fairness and become an unstoppable financial team: https://amzn.to/3JH4tHO

🌐 Heather and Douglas Bonaparth – DoMoneyTogether.com – Explore their resources, newsletter, and more insights for couples.

💰 Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/sponsors

📘 Own Your Time – Pre-order our first book: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book

▶️ YouTube – Subscribe to watch videos and interviews: https://www.youtube.com/marriagekidsandmoney

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER

This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you.

Opinions are our own.

Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation.

Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com.

CREDITS

Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa

Editor: Johnny Sohl

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By Andy Hill

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