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Love and Money

Today’s Apex comes courtesy of Elle Martinez of Couple Money. If you want to learn how to become better at money as a couple, check out Elle’s blog and her podcast!

Personal finance is a funny thing. On one hand, it’s pretty objective when you look at it purely through the numbers.

However, that’s not how most of us approach it. Even the most ‘detached’ person, has an opinion or personal preference with how they spend that money.

It’s a layer of complication that has to be acknowledge and embraced if you want to not just be savvy with your finances but actually enjoy it.

And when you’re in a relationship, it can get even more complicated. You have another person’s approach and goals to consider.

Whether you’re a parent, spouse, or taking care of your parents, that mix of love and money can be stressful.

It can also be an opportunity to come together.

Working together as a couple on your finances can be a powerful way to not just improve your net worth, but a way to connect and team up on designing a memorable and meaningful life that you both love.

Becoming a caretaker for your parents can allow you to give your mom and/or dad an opportunity to live their lives with dignity and on their terms within your current circumstances.

Talking with your kids about the family finances can start conversations about what’s on the minds and in their hearts.

A key part of working as a team with your loved ones is identifying what matters (or doesn’t) to you.

It sounds simple, but the reality of putting into practice can be tough and include a lot of conversation and reflection.

This week I wanted to share a few key articles I read that I think will help make this a good year financially and give you some ideas on how to make the most out of 2020.

Why I Stopped Pursuing FIRE and Early Retirement for a Happier Life Today [Marriage, Kids, and Money] – “Lisa has realized, through her FIOR (Financial Independence, Optional Retirement) journey, that it’s all about finding what is right or you and your family.”

Why we’re selling our rental property [Rich and Regular] – “Today, our time is more valuable than it was in 2014, which forced us to re-evaluate the role this property served in our lives.”

How to Communicate Better With Your Children in the New Year [The New York Times] – “Be a sportscaster. Make a glitter jar. Get a pet. Whether or not you rely on strategies like these, the central advice is to listen more.”

5 Signs Your Parents Need Help with Their Finances [Cameron Huddleston] – “Certainly, you don’t want to see your parents put themselves into financial dire straits or become victims of financial fraud. But these scenarios could easily become reality if you don’t recognize the signs that your parents need help with their finances.”

How to plan your goals and actually achieve them [Jessi Fearon] – “While you’re going through this process remember that you can’t be all things to all people nor do you have unlimited availability. You will have to tell some folks “no” and you will have to decide what is important enough to say “yes” to.”

Of course, these are just my favorites. I’d love to hear from you – what are some of your favorite love and money stories out there?