How much do we need to save for a baby? How do we handle medical expenses and finances with a disability? We answer your biggest marriage and money questions! 

Marriage and Money Q&As

Welcome to another edition of our community mailbag show!

This is where we take a break from our regular episodes which usually deal with one topic and instead tackle several of your marriage and money questions in smaller bites.

Today we have Phillip and Julia Olson as well as Brynee Conroy here on the podcast to help answer them

In this episode we get into:

• How to handle the costs of having a baby
• Dealing with disabilities and finances
• What to do when the traditional advice does not apply

Let’s dive in!

Resources Mentioned

Want to dig in some more? Here are some of the resources we mentioned in our episode plus more!

• The Art of Finance 
• Two Cents
• The Feminist Financial Handbook
• Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint
• Automatic Saving: Qapital
• Free 401(k) Analysis: blooom
• Support the Podcast!

Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!

• Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share.
• Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on Apple or Stitcher.
• Grab a copy of Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money. My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together!

Music Credit

Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.

Tired of getting hit with fees from your bank? Today we’re going to see how you can find the best place to stash your cash to save and earn more money!

Best Banks for Your Money

All this month we’ve been talking about big decisions you need to make about health insurance and investing that will have an impact not only on your finances next year, but beyond.

These are things you should care about for sure, but I want to cover pretty much a crucial decision you don’t want to ignore - your bank accounts.

Where and how you bank can either help you reach your financial goals faster if you got a great banking partner or it can hinder you and drain your wallet if you have a dud.

In this episode we’ll get into:

• why / where/ and how you bank matters
• 3 alternatives to the big banks that can save and make you more money
• How to easily set up and automate your money

Hope you enjoy!

Resources to Get the Most Out of Your Bank Accounts

Are you two ready to master your joint accounts? Do you want to create a system that fits your priorities and styles?

Here are some resources to check out:

• Coastal Federal Credit Union <- We bank with them
• Want a Happier Marriage? Combine Bank Accounts
• Finding the Best Banking and Investing Accounts
• Optimize Your Bank or Credit Union Accounts
• Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money
• Track These 2 Key Numbers to Master Your Money
• Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint
• Automatic Saving: Qapital
• Free 401(k) Analysis: blooom

Support the Podcast!

Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!

• Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share.
• Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on Apple or Stitcher.
• Grab a copy of Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money. My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together!

Music Credit

Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.

Smart Retirement Moves for Your 401(k)

Last week we look at retirement planning from a high level - figuring out a ballpark of what you’d like your retirement to look like as well as how it fits in with what you’re doing now.

This week we’re focused on a very specific part - figuring out what to invest in when there are plenty of options.

Since I’m not a financial planner and I have no idea of your very specific finances, this episode will cover the process.

In this episode we’ll get into:

• Prioritizing your investments
• Look at whether index funds are really a smart move
• Optimizing your 401(k) 

Hope you enjoy!

Resources to Rock Your Retirement

Ready to invest for retirement? Here are some fantastic resources to set things up and help you plan for your retirement together.

• Rock Retirement
• Investing Made Simple
• Free 401(k) Analysis: blooom
• The Secret Sauce to Financial Independence & Early Retirement
• Retirement Answer Man Podcast 
• Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint
• Automatic Saving: Qapital
• Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money
• Financial Independence and Parenthood
• Setting Up Your Retirement with the Right Tools
• How to Get on the Same Page with Financial Independence

Support the Podcast!

Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!

• Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share.
• Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on Apple or Stitcher.
• Grab a copy of Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money. My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together!

Music Credit

Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.

Feel like you have a full plate and not enough time (or money!) to plan for retirement? Learn step by step how you two can rock retirement and still have fun now! 

Real Retirement Planning for Real Life

Gotta love analytics. You all that data floating about.

Once a week I look over things including what people searching when they discover Couple Money. And you know what I found?
Believe or not, I noticed pretty much every day people discover my site with some variation of this one question.

How much do we need to retire?

It’s a big question for sure, but I don’t think it’s the right question.
At least not to start with.

As you probably discovered with that first question I asked, retirement can be completely different things to everyone.

And sometimes you two can have differing opinions.

So how do you figure what you need to do? You have to look at it at two different angles. Of course, there’s the technical part with the specific investments in your portfolio.

But you before you do that you need a game plan. One that is robust and at the same time, can adjust as your life changes.

Which is why I brought the Retirement Answer Man himself - Roger Whitney!

Not only is he is a Certified Financial Planner who’s worked for over 25 years and he’s the author of Rock Retirement.

His mission is to shift people’s mindset from investing in a portfolio to investing in what they love.

Because this is a huge deal, we’re having a two-parter.

In this episode we’re discussing:

• The problem with traditional retirement planning and calculators
• Striking that balance between taking care of things down the line while still loving your life now
• How to rethink and plan your retirement as a couple

Let’s jump right in!

Resources to Rock Your Retirement

Ready to prepare for retirement while ill having some fun now? Here are some fantastic resources to set things up and help you plan for your retirement together.

• Rock Retirement - Roger has written an incredible book that breaks down how you can plan and save not just for retirement, but a life you love now!
• Free 401(k) Analysis: blooom
• The Secret Sauce to Financial Independence & Early Retirement
• Retirement Answer Man Podcast 
• Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint
• Automatic Saving: Qapital
• Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money
• Financial Independence and Parenthood
• Setting Up Your Retirement with the Right Tools
• How to Get on the Same Page with Financial Independence

Support the Podcast!

Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!

• Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share.
• Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on Apple or Stitcher.
• Grab a copy of Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money. My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together!

Music Credit

Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure for more info.

Trying to sort through all the health insurance plans HR has given you? Find out how you can choose an affordable health insurance plan that covers your family's needs! 

Affordable Health Insurance for You

Health insurance is a huge expense.

Last year when we reviewed the health plan options, we found out that premiums were going up. again.

No surprise there, but the amount did catch us off guard.

If we were to stay with the 'basic' family plan we had, our monthly premiums would be almost the same as our mortgage payment!

That seemed ridiculous.

If you're in the same boat - looking for an affordable health insurance plan that will cover your family's needs, save this episode.

Michael Dinich is back to help decipher and decode health plans so you two will be armed to make the best choice for you and your situation.

In this episode we discuss:

• exactly how copays, coinsurance, deductibles, and more work so you know what coming out of your pocket and what's covered
• compare how typical base plans work versus high deductible health plans
• the ins and outs of health savings accounts

Hope you enjoy!

Resources to Save Money on Healthcare

Are you looking for more help with keeping health care within your budget? Here are some resources:

• Work with Michael: He's a certified financial planner who specializes in assisting families to navigate their health care options.
• How to Save Money on Your Health Insurance and Expenses
• Why We’re Switching to a High Deductible Health Plan
• Hack the Affordable Care Act Guide
• How to Spend Less on Insurance
• Save Money on Health Insurance
• Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint
• Automatic Saving: Qapital
• Free 401(k) Analysis: blooom

Support the Podcast!

Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!

• Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share.
• Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on Apple or Stitcher.
• Grab a copy of Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money. My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together!

Music Credit

Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure for more info.