During this time of uncertainty and ever-changing plans, speaking to your loved ones about money has never been more important.
When life is full of moving parts, it can be difficult to stay on top of everything. Whether you’re preparing to buy your first home, having a baby, or thinking about renovating once your children fly the nest, there can be a lot to juggle.
Talking about money with your loved ones can sometimes feel difficult or uncomfortable, so these conversations are often avoided or put off until another time. Whilst some do end in arguments or with things left unsaid, it’s these conversations which are the most important ones to resolve.
To make things a little easier, we’ve partnered with the relationship charity, Relate, to provide you with valuable tips to help you have more constructive conversations, and have armed you with the information and tools you need to feel better equipped in doing so.
Whether you’re ready to start a new chapter with your partner, thinking about writing a will, or preparing for retirement, we’ve got information to help you to talk about the M-word.
For more help or support with any money worries, visit The Money Advice Service website, part of the Single Financial Guidance Body, for further information.
Relate’s new podcast series explores how we can have more meaningful money conversations as we move through different stages in our life, such as when buying your first home, or planning for retirement.
Below you'll find some valuable tips from Relate, the leading relationship support charity, to help make M-word conversations easier for you to have.
If you want to have a deep and meaningful conversation about money, somewhere private with no distractions is best. You may want to schedule it in so that everyone has time to think about what they want to say.
To encourage the other person to open up, talk openly and honestly about your own views, strengths and weaknesses when it comes to money. This might mean allowing yourself to be vulnerable and admitting something you struggle with such as budgeting or checking your bank statements.
During some conversations we’re busy thinking about what we’re going to say next. This might mean the other person doesn’t feel heard, and that you may miss important points. Try to really listen to everything that’s being said without interrupting. Non-verbal clues like nodding and making eye contact will show you’re listening.
It’s unlikely you’ll always agree with everyone when you have conversations about money. Sometimes, to be able to reach a point of resolution, it’ll be necessary to compromise, agree to disagree or let something go.
To ensure you don’t come across as pointing the finger, use ‘I’ statements rather than ‘you’ statements. This means you’re taking responsibility for your own feelings, and means it’s less likely to make the other person defensive.
If there’s an issue you just can’t seem to move past, consider speaking to somebody objective such as a counsellor.
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