Money isn’t just dollars and cents—it’s identity, power, safety, and love. In this conversation, I sit down with Marni Levy—Certified Financial Planner turned Wealth & Mindset Coach—to unpack the money stories and power dynamics that shape our partnerships.
We talk about how beliefs formed in childhood show up as scarcity, over-independence, secrecy, or control—and how couples can move from friction to teamwork.
We explore:
- What a money story is and how it forms (culture, religion, family modeling)
- How “opposites” in relationships (the saver vs. the spender) can become yin & yang instead of enemies
- Why full disclosure (income, debt, credit score) is non-negotiable before marriage—and what secrecy signals
- A simple framework: Needs → Wants → Allow Fund → Savings (yes, you are allowed to enjoy life)
- Joint + individual accounts: building together and keeping autonomy
- Gender roles, patriarchy & the “I can do it myself” trap (over-independence as a trauma response)
- Mat leave, caregiving, and emotional labor: planning cash flow and respecting each partner’s role
- Rent vs. buy myths, interest reality checks, and values-aligned planning (adventure and freedom count!)
- How to set conversation parameters (no blame/shame, stay collaborative) so talks don’t blow up
- Red flags: chronic avoidance, hidden debt, addictive overspending; green flags: curiosity, transparency, teamwork.
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