• February 2013

Why Is It So Hard to Manage Money and Love?

By Rita Cheng, CRPC®, CFP®
CEO, Blue Ocean Global Wealth

I love power couples. When two strong-minded, confident people come to me for help with their financial planning, I know we’re going to end up creating a savvy approach to managing their money.

Not only do dynamic duos exude positive energy and confidence, the merits of each personality often compensate for their character flaws in each other.

That said, their strong-willed determination to be the best does not guarantee that power couples don’t experience power struggles or discord when it comes to money.

Why is money such a hot-button issue for power couples?

  • Money is always an emotional and contentious issue for people who are uncomfortable discussing it.
  • Part of the reason the topic of money can create tension is that each of us develops a philosophy of saving and spending based on our life experiences, which are influenced by family, friends, and peers. Since these experiences and influences are different for every person, our philosophies sometimes clash with our spouse or business partners.
  • When the parents of one spouse instilled values of financial restraint and the parents of the other spouse adopted a “party like it’s 1999” attitude, reaching middle ground on this issue can seem all but impossible.

As a financial advisor, I inspire my clients to adopt the positive changes necessary for them to reach their life financial goals. Smart financial decisions can help them to adapt more readily to life transitions and move progressively closer to their financial goals.

Here are some strategies that power couples can keep in mind to avoid power struggles over money:

1. Don’t assume the process will be smooth sailing. Simply recognizing and accepting the reality that you aren’t going to agree on all aspects of any decision will lower expectations. Know, too, that while you can’t—and don’t want to—change each other, you can adjust how you communicate as a couple. Inflexibility and control often exacerbate the problem. It may help to consult a marriage counselor who can redefine the roles within your marriage. A CFP® professional can work with you to identify and clarify your mutual financial goals and help you develop a plan to help you reach them. If money has become problematic in your relationship, it often makes sense to consult with an unbiased third party.

2. If power is an issue for either person in the couple, rethink having a joint checking account. Couples who disagree on how to budget their money should think twice before commingling their finances. One good option is to maintain a joint account for all household expenses—including your mortgage, utilities, insurance, and groceries—with each spouse depositing a percentage of their paycheck into that pool. All remaining income can be directed to separate accounts, giving both partners their own discretionary fund.

3. Be sure to set aside some “mad money” for spa day or golf. Having that account helps folks stay on track because they know that every month they can do whatever they want with that money without having to be accountable for how they spend it. If you know you can have a little bit of fun in the short term, it can make saving for future goals more palatable.

4. Be transparent. Money troubles often arise when one spouse assumes the role of Chief Financial Officer of the household. An easy solution is to pay the bills together, sit down to discuss your budget regularly, and bring some transparency to how financial decisions are made. Transparency enables “spenders” to see for themselves that if they continue their spending pattern, they won’t be able to reach the mutual goals they established with their partners as part of the financial planning process.

5. Document and disclose. First and foremost: establish basic guidelines and structure for how you spend and save your money. Consider depositing income into a single account, managed by the more disciplined spouse. The more disciplined spouse, the “saver,” should then dole out a monthly allowance for discretionary expenses to the “spender.” It helps, too, for both parties to agree not to use credit cards for daily expenses and instead to move to an all-cash system, which gives “spenders” a greater appreciation for how much they’re spending. It may seem as though one spouse is relinquishing control, but as “spenders” observe a decrease in debt, their relationship with their “saver” partners will become more harmonious. Both spouses should document and disclose all expenses and develop a spending plan or budget. Once the “spender” demonstrates that he or she can maintain a budget, the “saver” can reinstate the “you, me, we” system of having one joint account and two separate checking accounts.

The Bottom Line

Just because your spending philosophy differs from your spouse does not mean you can’t experience marital bliss. As Ben Franklin said: “Diligence is the mother of good luck.” You can be lucky in love—by putting effort into being financially compatible with your spouse.

By investing the time in one another to discuss your common goals, share responsibility for the household finances, and communicate effectively, you can be a “power couple” in your own right by empowering each other to take charge of your financial lives.


Marguerita M. Cheng, CFP® is the CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth, which provides corporations and institutions with portfolio construction, investment due diligence, and risk-management consulting services. The firm works with families, entrepreneurs, and executives to help them identify and achieve their financial goals. As a CFP Board Ambassador, she helps educate the public, policy makers, and media about the benefits of competent, ethical financial planning.

A Financial Planning Association (FPA) National Board Member and member of the finance committee, Cheng served eight years on the Board of Directors of her alma matter, The Robert H. Smith School of Business at University of Maryland, where she collaborated to increase alumni engagement and developed asset management education programs. She is also the President of the Blue Ocean Economic Empowerment Fund.

Cheng says her greatest joy and passion is touching the lives of others so that they may achieve their “personal financial success.”

For more information, visit www.blueoceanglobalwealth.com.

Securities offered through Private Client Services, LLC. Member FINRA | SIPC. Advisory products and services offered through Blue Ocean Global Wealth, a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services, LLC and Blue Ocean Global Wealth are not affiliated entities.

Blue Ocean Global Wealth intends that this article will be viewed for informational purposes only. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

http://www.pr-rules.com https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/561/starbucks-rules http://www.beinkandescent. com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/586/ I%27ll+Mature+When+I%27m+Dead https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/620/unleash-your-potential https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1819/mansour-javidan-s-tips-for-successful-global-leaders https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/2041/PR+Rules https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/1966/selling-with-noble-purpose-what-you-need-to-know https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/323/the-magic-of-blackboard-inc https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/152/tactical-tips-from-gina-schaefer https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/781/alan-webber-s-favorite-rules-for-2012-and-beyond http://www.inkandescentnetworking.com https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1918/dr-andrew-weil-s-tips-for-achieving-emotional-well-being http://inkandescentnewsletters.com https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/650/guy-kawasaki-s-enchantment-the-art-of-changing-hearts-minds-and-actions https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/1058/michael-gerber-takes-us-inside-the-dreaming-room https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1272/Seth+Goldman https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/401/robert-s-rules-for-non-profits-businesses-volunteers-and-donors http://www.weaversway.coop https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/893/Maria+Bartiromo https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/461/business-tips-from-the-love-doctor http://trulyamazingwomen.com http://www.inkandescentspeakers.com https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/1987/darrah-cloud https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/2201/can-lsd-and-ecstasy-help-us-harness-the-power-to-heal https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/736/the+four+generations https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/2229/science-of-gratitude https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/1081/Pamela+Hartigan https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1702/marketing-professor-raj-sisodia-on-the-future-of-business-success https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/2147/andy-hines-shines-a-light-on-the-future-of-the-workforce https://beinkandescent.com/articles/?c=hiring https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/2163/holy-bagumba-kate-dicamillo-s-flora-ulysses-takes-readers-on-an-incandescent-adventure-costco-connection https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/359/steven-schussler-s-5-ps-for-business-success-personality-product-persistence-people-philanthropy https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1897/mob-rules-what-former-heist-expert-louis-ferrante-can-teach-you https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/21/julie-s-tips-for-entrepreneurs https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/690/good-ideas-optimism-and-a-healthy-splash-of-doing-good-success https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1288/do-you-have-the-barefoot-spirit-here-s-are-11-ways-to-harness-it http://www.theinkandescentradioshow.com https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1849/Charting+the+Course www.houseofsteep.com https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/2230/what-can-entrepreneurs-do-to-fight-for-human-rights-karen-hanrahan-explains https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1202/3-ways-to-become-more-empathetic https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/974/dont+sweat https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/236/nell-merlino-s-tips-for-entrepreneurs https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/2100/Montpelier https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1462/government+rules https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/818/reebok-s-president-uli-becker-jumpstarts-the-shaping-up-of-america https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1763/how-to-create-a-lean-in-circle http://www.currysauto.com https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1791/7+Top+Dog+Tips http://www.andyhinesight.com/ https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/270/jonathan-alter-s-tips-for-entrepreneurs http://www.sharonarmstrongandassociates.com https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/954/martha-beck-helps-you-find-your-way-in-a-wild-new-world http://inkandescentnetworking.com/?s=network https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/183/ted-leonsis-tips-for-entrepreneurs https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/299/dr-ben-carson-offers-advice-for-entrepreneurs-on-how-to-conduct-a-best-worst-analysis https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/102/the-bognet-way http://artatlargeinc.com/ https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/653/guy-kawasaki-s-journey-to-enchantment https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/501/lee+woodruff+tips https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/1127/entrepreneurs-in-education www.bartlettpearinn.com http://www.crewscontrol.com http://www.theessentialhrhandbook.com https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/863/ridley-pearson-lights-up-the-sky https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/1924/michael-franti https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1737/Zieglers+7+Tips https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/653/guy-kawasaki-s-journey-to-enchantment https://beinkandescent.com/back-issues?q=2011-10 https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/2082/what-will-your-second-act-be https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/447/a-look-inside-the-nature-conservancy https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/714/wannabe-fools https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/426/insights-on-business-from-the-rosetta-stone https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/650/guy-kawasaki-s-enchantment-the-art-of-changing-hearts-minds-and-actions https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/1163/what-it-means-to-have-it-all-insights-from-52-truly-amazing-women-and-some-amazing-men https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/2055/the-fun-of-paying-it-forward http://www.inkandescentpr.com http://www.weaversway.coop https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/1870/dr+ruta+aidis https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/530/to-everything-turn-turn-turn-roger-and-camilla-mcguinn-s-tips-for-entrepreneurs http://www.inkandescentnetworking.com https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/1007/the-science-of-healing http://inkandescentnetworking.com/index.php?s=host-directory https://beinkandescent.com/entrepreneur-of-the-month/2100/Montpelier http://inkandescentpr.com https://beinkandescent.com https://beinkandescent.com/tips-for-entrepreneurs/205/muhammad-yunus-tips-for-entrepreneurs