3 Tips for Couples to have healthier Money discussions

This week’s edition:

• How your Finances change after Marriage

• This Week in Business

• The Big Green Vault

3 Tips to manage Money as a couple:

There’s an expression in Lebanon “Mish Baynetna”. It means “Not between us”.

You use it to tell someone they don’t need to do something because your relationship is just built different.
“I haven’t forgotten to pay you back. I’m just waiting for …”

“Oh don’t worry about it. Mish baynetna!”

9/10 times it totally is “between us” and the person saying it would totally want you to do it. But, it’s a great way to avoid an awkward topic.

For many couples, Money is a “Mish Baynetna” topic.
They avoid talking about it and If they do, they tip toe around the meat of the issue. 

Until it becomes a problem.
And, I get it. We all have different boundaries. But, money problems are the #1 cause of stress and #2 leading cause of divorce.  

So, learning how to have a healthy conversation about it goes a long way in securing mental health. 

My wife and I have jointly managed our finances for 5 years through different phases: together but living separately, living together and now, married.
The actual set up of our Finances and how closely we align goals changed with each phase (to be covered in a future edition).

But, 1 thing was constant: open conversation.

Here are 3 tips if you and your partner haven’t taken the step yet:

1) Have Joint Goals:

I love having shared financial goals. They create a sense of common purpose and give financial conversation a positive focus. 
It can be something like planning a dream vacation or even a down payment on a house.
This shared vision will help you stay motivated and make working together on your finances more enjoyable.

2) Accept you might be different

You and your partner likely have different financial backgrounds, habits, and priorities. Understanding and accepting these differences, rather than trying to force alignment, is key to finding a system that works for both of you.
Take the time to truly listen to each other's perspectives and be willing to compromise. For example, if one of you is a spender and the other a saver, explore budgeting strategies that allow for both guilt-free spending and consistent saving.

3) It’s the two of you against the financial challenge 

This mindset shift can be incredibly powerful. Instead of viewing financial disagreements as "me vs. you", frame it as "us vs. the problem". This fosters a sense of teamwork and shared responsibility. When facing a financial hurdle, brainstorm solutions together, support each other's ideas, and celebrate your successes as a team. This approach strengthens your bond and makes tackling financial challenges less daunting.

Do you feel Comfortable talking about Money with your partner ? Let me know your favorite tips!

This Week in Business

1. OpenAI is Open For Profits ? An interesting thing about OpenAI is that it was founded as a Non-Profit organization then transitioned to a “Capped Profit” model in 2019. We might be going full “For Profit” soon as they try to raise $6.5 Billion at a valuation of $150 Billion. Is an IPO in the works ? How does OpenAI’s Non-Profit board (who has to OK this) feel about it ?
   

2. AiPhone reveal:  A year+ ago Apple was carrying the stock market on its back. Things haven’t been as rosy in recent months (the company is still doing fantastically well btw). Headlines have been about slowing sales and increased regulatory issues. Many were hoping the new iPhone reveal would re-energize things especially with its support of fancy new Apple Intelligence features.
   But, 3 things to keep in mind: those features are launching as a beta, in english only and not in the EU.

The Big Green Vault

• Guns, Germs and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies:  All I’m going to say is few books have influenced me more than this one.
  
  The information contained in this newsletter is for general informational purposes only. It should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.