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When a friend or family member asks for money, the decision can get complicated quickly. You aren't simply deciding whether you can afford to help. You're balancing your finances, your relationship with the person asking, your values, and—if you're married—your relationship with your spouse. That's why the most important decision about lending or giving money to family should happen before anyone asks. As a Certified Financial Therapist and Accredited Financial Counselor, I w

Money is one of the most common sources of tension in relationships. One partner may feel overextended trying to keep up with expenses, while the other may feel frustrated that they cannot fully enjoy the lifestyle they've worked hard to build. These problems are particularly common among couples who keep their finances separate, whether they are married or unmarried. Before I go on, I need to be clear. I wrote this post for couples who are dating or keep their finances separ

Male loneliness is finally being talked about. That alone feels like progress. Does that mean that women aren't lonely? Absolutely not. According to PEW, roughly equal shares of U.S. men and women say they’re often lonely, but men are less likely to reach out to a wider network for emotional support. Men are also 4x more likely to commit suicide. For the purposes of this post, I focus on the loneliness challenges men face. For years, men’s isolation was ignored, minimized, o

In the first part of my talk with Dr. Leah Ruppanner, a sociologist and author of Drained, we talked about what the mental load really means. It’s the unseen emotional work that keeps work, family, and life running smoothly. We also looked at how many women end up carrying more of this load, even when both partners have jobs and help out at home. ​ In the second half of our conversation, we moved from the problem to practical ways couples can be more fair with each other. Wha

Words matter. Especially in a marriage. As a Certified Financial Therapist™ and Accredited Financial Counselor®, I often talk with couples about when they feel overwhelmed or frustrated. This post addresses some of the barriers I help clients work through. Before we jump in, let’s be clear about two things. First, this is not about blaming women. Again, I am not blaming women. It’s about helping women understand how some men may experience certain messages in a relationship.

Relationships can be deeply affected by money, especially when spouses manage finances together. Financial synergies between spouses can have a huge impact on their current and future stability. That is why we are sharing these personal finance assessments for couples. Modern Husbands Quizzes We have created three money and marriage quizzes shared on our Quizzes page: Assess Your Financial Health Our ten-question financial health survey derives from research and provides insi

Practical Systems for Dual Career Couples Who Want More Peace and Less Stress The calendars. The drop offs and handoffs. The work demands that spill into evenings. The mental load of remembering everything for everyone. The work of a marriage requires the type of attention it takes to manage a small business. Like any small business, budgets need to be built and followed. But for some, making the time to sit down as a couple to create and maintain a budget can feel overwhelm

Do you get a two-day vacation every week? Many of us do, typically on Saturdays and Sundays. But do you treat it like a vacation? Most of us do not, and that impacts our relationships and overall well-being. At least, according to Katrina Onstad, the author of How to Take Back Your Weekends: The Life Changing Benefits of Taking Two Days Off. Three Key Lessons from How to Take Back Your Weekends Value of Leisure Time Leisure time, especially weekends, rejuvenates people. Dedic

Stepping into the role of a new husband is a momentous and exciting journey. Building a happier home is not an overnight endeavor; it's a continuous process that requires dedication, communication, and effort. Avoiding missteps during the transition into marriage strengthens the marriage's future. According to Dr. Perry Jenkins, the Department Chair of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the routines we fall into in the first six month

For generations, society told us what they were supposed to want. Climb the ladder. Make more money. Buy bigger things. Stay tough. Keep emotions hidden. Measure success through status, titles, and outward achievement. But modern husbands are increasingly questioning whether those old definitions of success actually lead to a meaningful life. Let me be clear. Modern Husbands want quality time with their families. We want our wives to achieve their career goals while setting o

Social media has a talent for giving familiar habits new names. The latest example in personal finance is Moneymaxxing, a trend built around getting more value from the money you earn, save, spend, and invest. Despite the trendy name, Moneymaxxing is not a revolutionary financial strategy. It is a new way of presenting traditional habits such as budgeting, paying off debt, earning more interest on savings, using credit card rewards thoughtfully, and investing for the future.

I’m sharing this post from Aly Bullock, LMFT, because conversations about control in relationships require both honesty and care. As a Certified Financial Therapist, I am trained to help couples through financial conflict. However, my purview does not extend beyond that, which is another reason I’m sharing Aly’s insights. ​ Aly Bullock is a licensed marriage and family therapist and communication coach dedicated to helping couples build stronger, more fulfilling relationships