Managing money is a basic life challenge. Everyone wants to succeed in this area, but additional challenges arise when a couple manages money together.
Talking Points:
- Talking about money as a couple will lead to a better understanding of each other’s values as it pertains to managing your finances. The temptation is to assume that your spouse thinks the same way you do.
- Planners are forward-thinking. They tend to emphasize savings and the creation of wealth. Major concerns for them are purchasing a home, saving for the kids’ college, and retirement. They can become consumed with worry when they are unconvinced that enough preparation and actual saving is occurring for these types of major life events.
- Spenders “live in the moment.” They worry that there is enough money for the needs of today. While they will agree with the planner that these major life events off in the future are important, they are focused on today’s concerns.
- A simple trick to make sure you are following through on accomplishing your money goals is to have the money for savings, college expenses, and retirement set aside immediately. By setting aside these funds, you can focus on what’s left to spend on the day to day things.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Share whether you are a planner or a spender. Have your spouse do the same. If you’re different, how have those differences caused conflict in the marriage? If you’re the same, how has that caused issues?
- Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of being a planner.
- Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of being a spender.
- Read Jeremiah 29:11 and discuss the way God models being a planner for us.
- Read Malachi 3:8-10 and discuss God’s directive for giving. How do you need to adjust your spending to reflect your financial goals? How do you need to make God more of a priority?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
