The Money Couple Minute - Fighting Fair About Money

Money touches each and every aspect of our relationship: where we live, where we eat, where our kids go to school. Money discussions can easily turn into "money fights." If we are going to fight about money, we better learn how to fight fair. Here is a tool you can apply to each "money struggle". Use our acronym F.A.I.R.

F - Forgive - Commit to your future financial communication - don't dwell on
     the past. Admit to your financial infidelity. It's a great place to start.

A - Assess - know your money personalities. (Saver, Spender, Risk taker,
     Security seeker, Flyer). Determine how these money personalities are
     affecting this "money struggle".

I - Input - each give a suggested solution

R - Respect - through compromise

Here is an example:

Steve and Sarah are dating. She is a Saver and he is a Spender. Steve buys her flowers, candy, and is taking her out to nice restaurants. She is so enamored by all of his spending because it's so different, fun, and exciting. Then they get married. She doesn't find the spending so exciting anymore. She makes some "digs" and does some "damage". She decides to "Fight Fair".

1. Forgive - Sarah says, "I am sorry for putting you down for being
     a spender".

2. Assess - She realizes he is a Spender and this is how he shows love.
     She remembers she is a Saver - that is why all this spending is making
     her nervous.

3. Input - She says to him, "I know you are a Spender and the way you show
     love is by buying me all this, but as a Saver, it makes me nervous
     - would it be alright for you to take me out to dinner once a month and
     buy me flowers once a quarter?" He says, "How about I take you out to
     dinner once a quarter and buy you flowers once a month?"

4. Respect - She says, "sounds like a great compromise."

This is Scott and Bethany Palmer - The Money Couple

Creating CENTS out of your financial communication

Make it happen!