How do you talk about money matters in the family?

When families experience conflict about money, it is really about something else. Money is a medium of exchanging goods and services with each other, but money conflicts are usually about who gets to have and do what.  Many national studies show that financial management difficulties can affect families of all types and at all levels of income.

Each family has to decide how they will handle their money—whether to pool funds, keep separate accounts or have some combination of both.  For many couples, however, less conflict occurs when each person has at least some amount of money that he or she can spend without checking with the other person.  This amount might be $5, $20, $50 or however much the couple decides is reasonable and within budget.  For example, each month a couple puts their paychecks into a joint account to cover bills and expenses, and then each person pulls out $40 that he or she can use for what they want.

What can make money decisions difficult is that family members may have different attitudes and values about money.  How money was used or whether money was talked about in a person’s family of origin can play a factor in people’s current money habits.  Their approach to money may be the same as how they grew up, the opposite or somewhere in between.

The key to managing money is to communicate, communicate, communicate.  And how and when people talk about money issues makes a big difference, as well.  As you talk, try to keep the following in mind.

·         Try to find a time when there are no other stressors (for example, after work and school may not be good, since people are tired and hungry). 

·         Give each person a chance to share without interrupting.

·         Try to stay calm—take a deep breath to focus.

·         Allow different opinions (no judging ideas or thoughts).

·         Avoid words like “always” or “never” (these words tend to put people on the defensive).

Take time to learn about each other’s values on money.  It will help you remember where the other person is coming from and how to address future issues.  The more family members know about each other, the easier it is to talk about concerns.

Here are some questions to help you get started or use the worksheet on page 4 from Communicating About Money and Money Issues www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/yf/fammgmt/fs592.pdf.

·         What were money issues in your family of origin? Who handled the money?  Who decided how money was spent?

·         Did your family of origin talk about money?

·         Is it important to save for the future?

·         Is it important to live in the moment and not worry about the future?

·         How should money be used for the current family?

·         What are family goals?

·         What are each person’s goals?

Remember that working out money issues takes many conversations and time.  Knowing how much money you have and managing your money are two different issues, but understanding each person’s approach can help your family set and reach financial goals.

 

Bean Game Activity

How can you help youth understand how families make financial decisions to meet their basic needs?

One way to start discussions is to have students go through the Bean Game (from University of Missouri Extension’s Building Strong Families Program-Money Matters topic).  Youth divide into family groups and decide how to spend resources to make it through the month.

Directions, discussion questions and Bean Game cards can be printed off at: http://extension.missouri.edu/bsf/money/moneyhandouts.htm

 

·         Divide students into small groups of 2 to 6 people. 

·         Each group becomes a “family.” 

·         You will need a set of cards and 20 beans for each family.  A set of cards has different categories, such as, housing, child care, food, etc. 

·         The family decides how to allocate their beans (money) for the month.  Give each group 10-15 minutes to spend their beans. 

·         If you still have time, take 5 beans from each group and have the families re-allocate their beans (scenario might be: someone in the family lost a job or got sick and the 5 beans represent that loss of income).

·         Group discussion (see cards for discussion questions)

·         Another discussion point: just because you save money by using family members or friends for child care (or to live with, etc.) someone has to “pay.”  You shift the burden, and that person pays with their time or resources.  Ultimately, it may look like your family is “making it,” but how have you affected someone else’s resources for the month?

·         How do you discuss these issues in a family?  What are some strategies to talk about money?

 

From University of Missouri Extension’s Building Strong Families Program, Money Matters topic http://extension.missouri.edu/bsf/money/index.htm

 

Lucy Schrader, MA Educational and Counseling Psychology
University of Missouri Extension, HES Extension Associate State Specialist

 

References

Allen, K. & Crawford, C. (2009). Money talks: Using communication skills to discuss finances. University of Missouri Extension. Retrieved March 2, 2010 from http://missourifamilies.org/features/divorcearticles/relations70.htm

Allen, K. & Crawford, C. (2009). Money talks: The value of understanding. University of Missouri Extension. Retrieved March 2, 2010 from http://missourifamilies.org/features/divorcearticles/relations70.htm

Osteen, S.R. & Neal, R.A. (2003).  Couples and money: Let’s talk about it, T-4201. Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service. Retrieved March 2, 2010 from http://osufacts.okstate.edu

Pankow,  D. (2003). Communicating about money and money issues. Reviewed 2009; North Dakota State University Extension Services.  Retrieved March 1, 2010 from www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/yf/fammgmt/fs592.pdf

University of Missouri Extension. Building Strong Families Program: Challenges and Choices—Money Matters topic. http://extension.missouri.edu/bsf/money/index.htm