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Marriage Counselor or Financial Coach? A Couples Financial Coach's Take on Which One You Need

Money is a top cause of relationship stress, breakups, and divorce. When couples face financial issues, they want to find their way to clarity, teamwork, and peace of mind.

But what kind of professional is best-suited to give you the support you need?

Dave Ramsey’s blog post -- “Marriage Counselor or Financial Coach: Which One Do You Need?” -- tries to bring some clarity to this conversation.

He analyzes some stressful money situations. Then, he suggests whether to hire a (1) Marriage Counselor or (2) Financial Coach.

I’m a Couples Financial Coach and Certified Mediator. I’m also a former Tax Attorney and Financial Advisor. Keep reading to see where I agree, disagree, or even suggest a third choice.

Below, I’ll discuss Dave’s seven situations. Then, I’ll share some other common money issues and which professional I recommend. Finally, I’ll share more about my work as a Couples Financial Coach.

The Key Elements of a Stripped-down Pandemic Spending Plan

What are the key elements of a stripped-down pandemic spending plan?

  • Rent/Mortgage

  • Food

  • Insurance (life, health, etc.)

  • Utilities

  • Other Debts, including car loan, minimum monthly credit payments, etc.

  • Medical/Health-related expenses

  • Transportation, Donations, Subscriptions: because we have to get around, support the cause, and enjoy some shows, right?

The 3 most common ways couples arrange their finances

The 3 most common ways couples arrange their finances:

(1) All Joint: everything goes into one pot, and everything comes out of the same pot. 🤝

(2) All Separate: each person has their own pot that they pay into and take out of. You can still split expenses; each person just pays their share from their own pot. 🙌

(3) Mixed: some shared pots, some separate pots. Common structures include each person (a) putting an equal amount or (b) equal percentage of their income into the shared pot. 🤲