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The Money Date – A Simple Checklist for Couples Who Want to Get on the Same Page Financially
By Michael Reynolds, CFP®, Elevation Financial LLC
Managing money as a couple is one of the most important things you can do for your relationship and your financial future. Yet most couples rarely sit down together to actually talk about it in a structured way. Life gets busy, conversations get avoided, and before long, financial stress starts to quietly build beneath the surface.
That's where the money date comes in.
A money date is a scheduled, intentional time you set aside with your partner to review your finances together. It doesn't have to be long or complicated. In fact, the simpler you keep it, the more likely you are to actually do it. Once a month is a good rhythm for most couples, though some prefer every two weeks, especially when working toward a specific goal.
Couples who regularly discuss money report higher relationship satisfaction and better financial health. This is why regular money dates can be so valuable for your relationship.
Topic #1: Cash flow planning
Manage Your Complicated Cash Flow: Fund the Fun Stuff While Still Knowing You’re Safe.
By Meg Bartelt, CFP®, MSFP, RICP®, Flow Financial Planning
Ahhhh, remember when your parents received a steady salary and paid, like, four bills a month? Times were simple. Times were good.
Your finances—on both the Income side and the Expenses side—are way more complicated. And that, my dear, is why managing your cash flow is so maddeningly difficult to do well.
But there is a way to set up your cash flow so that it’s logical, repeatable, and largely automated.
Why Is It So Hard to Manage Cash Flow?
If you had just a salary, and it came twice a month, and all your bills came once a month, you might not need help managing your cash flow.
Topic #2: CHECK-in on lifestyle creep
Keep Your Lifestyle as Prices Rise: A Simple Investing Plan
By Joe Morgan, CFP®, CFA, JWM Wealth Management, LLC
How much will you spend in the future?
This is an important question. We can estimate future spending by looking at your current expenses. Yet, the biggest factor is inflation.
Understanding Inflation
What costs you $1 today could easily cost $2, or more, in the future, especially with ongoing price increases across housing, travel, and everyday spending. You need to consider this when planning for retirement, which could last that long or even longer. To cover these costs, your assets must grow at least at the rate of inflation. You have two options:
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Ensure your assets grow with inflation.
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Accumulate greater assets and plan to spend them down during retirement.
Topic #3: double-check your distributions
Should I invest more in my employer’s 401K?
by Andre Small, CFP®, MBA, A Small Investment, LLC
Imagine you’re earning $200,000 a year. You contribute 8% to your employer’s Roth 401(k), get a 6% match, and have a paid-down home that has a low 2.25% interest rate.
You’ve also built $275,000 in investments, including a maxed-out Roth IRA. Now comes the question: should you invest more in your employer 401k?
It’s a question many high-earning professionals ask, and the answer isn’t always simple, because it does really depend on your goals, taxes, and long-term flexibility.
What Are You Really Optimizing For?
Before increasing your contribution, pause and ask: what am I optimizing for? This is done with the understanding that what you value most financially and goals are aligned with your near-term and long-term needs.
Following along with the blogs of financial advisors is a great way to access valuable, educational information about finance—and it doesn’t cost you a thing! Our financial planners love to share their knowledge and help everyone regardless of age or assets.
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