In the latest episode of the Holistic Wealth Podcast, we’re doing a deep dive into money date nights and their profound impact on cultivating financial intimacy. Statistics show that 80% of couples have different money mindsets and this includes different saving, and investment philosophies as well as different appetites for risk and debt tolerance. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the key insights from the episode, emphasizing the critical role of understanding your personal financial identity, referencing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid, and uncovering the therapeutic benefits of money date nights in coping with past money trauma. In this episode, we shared key lessons and strategies from Holistic Wealth Expanded and Updated: 36 Life Lessons To Help You Recover From Disruption, Find Your Life Purpose and Achieve Financial Freedom. In this book, there’s an entire chapter dedicated to embracing your personal financial identity, which is critical for couples and for money date nights.
How To Have A Money Date Night – Holistic Wealth Podcast with Keisha Blair
What are Money Date Nights? Understanding Money Date Nights:
A “money date night” refers to a deliberate and scheduled time set aside by individuals or couples to engage in open and constructive conversations about their finances. During these sessions, participants discuss financial goals, budgets, spending habits, future money plans, upcoming expenses, and any other relevant money-related topics. The purpose of a money date night is to foster communication, build financial intimacy, align financial priorities, and work together towards shared financial objectives. It provides a structured and intentional space for discussing money matters, helping individuals and couples navigate financial decisions and strengthening their overall financial well-being. Knowing your personal financial identity is critical for money date nights. The Institute on Holistic Wealth has a free Personal Financial Identity Quiz.
Money date nights are more than just a financial check-in with your partner; they are intentional, dedicated moments to foster open communication and strengthen the financial bond within your relationship. In this episode of the Holistic Wealth podcast, we emphasized the importance of setting aside time regularly to align financial goals, discuss budgets, and nurture shared aspirations. (See sample agenda below).
Personal Financial Identity and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:
In this episode of the Holistic Wealth podcast, we outlined the connection between Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid and understanding your personal financial identity. The pyramid, ranging from basic needs like physiological requirements to higher-order needs like self-actualization, provides a framework for assessing the role of money in our lives. Knowing your personal financial identity, especially in the context of belonging, love, and security, is fundamental to achieving a sense of fulfillment and financial well-being.
Understanding your personal financial identity is akin to unlocking the key to your financial well-being and fulfillment. This understanding becomes particularly crucial when viewed through the lens of belonging, love, and security – fundamental aspects that shape our relationships, emotional well-being, and overall sense of fulfillment. This importance is amplified in the context of couples, where differing money mindsets are prevalent, with studies suggesting that around 80% of couples have varying approaches to finances.
1. Belonging:
Impact on Relationships: Your personal financial identity influences how you perceive your role within a relationship. It defines your contribution to shared financial goals and how you navigate financial decisions as a couple.
Building Trust: Understanding each other’s financial identities fosters trust and a sense of belonging within the relationship. It allows you to align your financial goals, work towards shared aspirations, and build a future together.
- Love:
Expression of Values: Your personal financial identity is often an expression of your values. Understanding and aligning your values with your partner’s creates a foundation for shared financial values, reinforcing the love and connection within the relationship.
Navigating Challenges: Knowing each other’s financial identities enables couples to navigate financial challenges with empathy and understanding. It promotes a supportive environment where love can flourish even during times of financial stress.
- Security:
Financial Security: Your financial identity is closely linked to your sense of financial security. Understanding your partner’s financial identity helps in creating a secure financial foundation, providing stability and peace of mind.
Planning for the Future: Knowing each other’s perspectives on financial security allows couples to plan for the future collaboratively. This includes setting aside savings, planning for major life events, and building a financial safety net.
- Fulfillment:
Alignment with Personal Goals: Understanding your personal financial identity enables you to align your financial decisions with your individual goals and aspirations. This alignment is crucial for personal fulfillment and satisfaction.
Embracing a Holistic Wealth Mindset: Incorporating the principles of holistic wealth into your financial identity ensures that your financial decisions contribute not only to monetary gain but also to overall well-being, personal growth, and meaningful experiences.
- Differing Money Mindsets in Couples:
Common Challenges: The prevalence of differing money mindsets in couples often leads to challenges such as conflicting financial priorities, communication gaps, and misunderstandings.
Importance of Communication: Understanding your personal financial identity and communicating openly about it with your partner is the antidote to these challenges. It lays the groundwork for compromise, shared decision-making, and mutual respect.
Coping with Money Trauma:
This Holistic Wealth podcast episode explores the therapeutic nature of money date nights in coping with previous money trauma. By engaging in open and honest conversations about financial history, fears, and aspirations, negative money messages, couples can create a safe space for healing. It’s important to acknowledge past money traumas, whether from personal experiences or generational patterns, to break the cycle and build a healthier financial future and build generational wealth.
Trauma of Money Certification Program:
It’s important to take the next step in your financial healing journey by enrolling in the Trauma of Money Certification Program. This comprehensive program, offered by the Institute on Holistic Wealth, provides participants with the tools and insights needed to overcome money trauma and establish a foundation for lasting financial well-being.
Money Date Night Agenda for Holistic Wealth Building:
Welcome and Gratitude (5 minutes):
Begin the evening with a warm welcome and a reminder of the purpose of the money date night.
Express gratitude for the opportunity to work together towards holistic wealth.
Part 1: Reflecting on Financial Goals (15 minutes):
Review Previous Goals:
Discuss any financial goals set during the last money date night.
Celebrate achievements and acknowledge progress.
Identify Short-Term and Long-Term Goals:
Brainstorm and articulate both short-term and long-term financial goals.
Prioritize these goals based on their significance.
Align Goals with Holistic Wealth:
Discuss how each goal contributes to holistic wealth, considering not only financial aspects but also well-being, relationships, personal growth, and purpose.
Part 2: Budget Review and Adjustments (20 minutes):
Review Current Budget:
Examine the current budget, considering income, expenses, and savings.
Identify any areas where adjustments may be needed.
Holistic Budgeting:
Discuss budgeting in alignment with holistic wealth principles.
Allocate funds not only for financial goals but also for experiences, well-being activities, and personal growth.
Emergency Fund Check:
Ensure the emergency fund is on track or discuss adjustments if necessary.
Emphasize the importance of financial security.
Part 3: Investing in Relationships and Well-Being (15 minutes):
Plan for Experiences:
Allocate funds for shared experiences and activities that contribute to relationship-building.
Discuss upcoming events, including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries or trips.
Well-Being Investments:
Identify investments in personal well-being, including health, education, and self-care.
Explore how these investments contribute to overall holistic wealth.
Part 4: Reviewing Financial Strategies (20 minutes):
Holistic Investment Review:
Discuss the current state of investments, including retirement accounts, stocks, and other assets.
Explore new investment opportunities aligned with holistic wealth goals.
Diversification and Risk Management:
Review the diversification of the investment portfolio.
Discuss strategies for managing financial risks.
Holistic Wealth Portfolio:
Start your journey to building a holistic wealth portfolio that includes financial assets, experiences, relationships, personal growth, and well-being investments. The Institute on Holistic Wealth can help you build and refine your Holistic Wealth Portfolio. The Institute on Holistic Wealth also offers the Certified Holistic Wealth Consultant Program that can help guide you on your journey, and also help you help others to do the same.
Closing and Next Steps (10 minutes):
Summarize key decisions and action items from the money date night.
Discuss any additional information or research needed before the next session.
Reiterate the ultimate goal of building a solid holistic wealth portfolio as a couple.
Final Goal:
By the end of the money date night sessions, the ultimate goal is for each couple to contribute towards building a holistic wealth portfolio that reflects a balanced and intentional approach to finances. This portfolio encompasses financial stability, shared experiences, strong relationships, personal growth, and overall well-being, fostering a truly holistic and fulfilling life journey. It’s an ongoing process, and it can be refined and adjusted over time as circumstances evolve and change.
Visit the Institute on Holistic Wealth for a range of courses and resources aimed at helping you have a holistically wealthy lifestyle.