Dear Reader,

For 18 years, Wayne and I told ourselves everything would be fine. It wasn't. But by the 10th of every month we were in overdraft, we couldn't catch a break, and we never talked about it — because every time we tried, it ended in an argument.

So we did what most couples do — we pretended it didn't happen. Not because we didn't care or because we were irresponsible, but because the silence felt safer than the fight.

Honestly, I wish we'd had someone like me 20 years ago. We had marriage prep classes, marriage mentors, even a financial advisor — all wonderful, all well-meaning, and all assuming that talking about money came naturally to us. It didn't. It was a disaster. Nobody was helping us have the conversation — they were all just assuming we already could.

That's the gap I love to fill, because I know that when you can talk about money and make a plan, it's not only a game changer for your money — it's a game changer for your marriage too.

Maybe you're reading this thinking — it's too late for us, we should have figured this out years ago. I want you to know that thought is lying to you. The shame of feeling behind is one of the biggest things that keeps couples stuck, not their finances. I have never once sat with a couple and thought why did you wait so long — I've only ever thought I'm so glad you're here.

If you've been telling yourself it'll work out, avoiding the conversation, or changing the subject when money comes up — you are not behind or failing, you're just protecting yourself, the same way we were.

If something in this landed and you're curious about what one conversation could do for your marriage — just hit reply and say TALK. I read every one.