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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