The Key Resolution for Couples This Year: Stay Engaged in Your Finances
As the year draws to a close and discussions about future planning heat up, there’s one significant resolution that couples should prioritize: actively engage in your finances together. This isn’t a matter of adopting the latest investing tactic or chasing after elusive cryptocurrency trends. Instead, it’s about forging a partnership built on communication and collective responsibility—principles that can strengthen both your financial and spiritual lives.
The Risks of Financial Disconnection
Too often, couples assign financial responsibilities to one partner, creating a vulnerability that can deeply impact the family dynamic. Should that individual experience illness, death, or even a separation, the other is left scrambling—ill-equipped to handle the financial intricacies alone. A financial advisor with over 20 years’ experience, Douglas A. Boneparth, reflects on the heartbreaking scenarios he has witnessed when spouses lacking knowledge must piece together financial plans in times of crisis.
Moreover, when one partner assumes all the financial responsibilities, it can breed resentment, overwhelm, and a lack of agency for the other spouse. “I’ve seen it countless times,” Boneparth states. “Many couples unknowingly drift into this dynamic where one takes the lead, leaving the other disheartened and disengaged.”
A Personal Revelation
During the pandemic, Boneparth faced this very challenge in his own marriage. As his wife, Heather, balanced a demanding career and family responsibilities, she inadvertently distanced herself from their finances. It wasn’t until she voiced, "This isn’t working anymore," that they recognized the detrimental impact of this disconnection.
This moment reminds us of the biblical principle found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, which states, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.” This scripture highlights the beauty of partnership—not just in work but in every aspect of life, including finances.
Building a Financial Team
To truly thrive, couples need to cultivate a shared approach to financial matters. Here are effective strategies to foster partnership around finances:
-
Conduct a Financial Review Together: Make sure both parties have access to accounts and a basic understanding of the family’s finances.
-
Discuss Time Commitment from Both Perspectives: Ensure each partner feels they have adequate time to dedicate to their financial responsibilities. This may involve reshuffling chores or responsibilities.
-
Establish Regular Money Dates: Schedule recurring, distraction-free conversations about finances. Quarterly check-ins allow for manageable discussions without feeling overwhelmed.
-
Meet Your Partner Where They Are: Understand that one partner may be less familiar with financial matters. Tailor discussions to their comfort and knowledge levels.
-
Seek Professional Guidance if Needed: Sometimes, an objective financial advisor or counselor can facilitate necessary conversations without bias.
When Boneparth and Heather revisited their financial discussions, they not only strengthened their relationship but also fortified their financial stability.
An Encouraging Takeaway
As you embark on your financial resolutions for 2026, consider how your actions can align with biblical values. Staying engaged in your financial matters isn’t just practical; it’s a testament to teamwork, resilience, and love.
Reflect on this: How can nurturing your partnership in finances also deepen your connection in other areas of life? Remember, bringing God into your financial planning can yield blessings that go beyond dollars and cents. As you strive for clarity and cooperation, let your financial journey be a mirror of the love and commitment that binds you together.
If you want to want to know more about this topic, check out BGodInspired.com or check out specific products/content we’ve created to answer the question at BGodInspired Solutions
