Couples + Money
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
FOR HIGH-EARNING COUPLES WHO THINK THEY’VE GOT THEIR FINANCIAL SH*T TOGETHER, BUT JUST WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK.
TO THE BEAUTIFUL COUPLE READING THIS,
Talking about money and relationships can be… a lot. I’ve advised high-earning couples for over 10 years, and in the time I’ve learned a simple truth: the numbers are the easy part; the psychology is where the real progress happens. This guide is your no-drama way to get on the same page, act like a team, and still keep your autonomy.
In this guide, you’ll learn to…
Start the conversation the right way: what to share (income, spending, debts) and how to make it judgment-free.
Align goals: (near-term fun and long-term dreams) and decide what gets dollars first.
Set up a Couples Money Map: a simple account flow (joint “money hub” + individual “side-stash”), with automations for bills, saving, and investing so the plan runs itself.
Tackle debt as a team (what’s “good,” what’s not, and how to pay it down fast without resentment).
Handle the real-life logistics: who pays what, alternatives if you’re not ready to fully merge, and the unsexy-but-important stuff (tax forms, insurance, beneficiaries).
Read time is under 10 minutes. You’ll leave with a shared language, a starter system you can turn on this week, and clear next steps. And if you need a more personalized plan, we’re always one call away.
Let’s get to it.
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“Stash Wealth’s mission is to allow millennials to keep their lifestyle while planning for the future.”
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“That’s when Stash Wealth stepped in — and changed my life.”
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⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Rated 5 stars, 2025 -
Named top 23 financial advisory firms for millennials.
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“Stash Wealth was created especially for advising high earners who aren’t yet rich.”
70% of couples fight about money more than sex
It’s not you vs. me. It’s you and me vs. the world. Most couples we talk to want to function as a team, but the question is: what does that actually look like?
Does “team” mean splitting every expense down the middle? Should the higher earner pay more for vacations? What if one of you has student loans and the other doesn’t?
Spoiler: team doesn’t mean equal. It means fair. It means honest. And it means finding a system that works for both of you.
The Ground Rules for Teamwork
Your customized roadmap to financial clarity—the only plan you need to finally rest easy knowing your money is where it should be.
Unequal income is normal
Your customized roadmap to financial clarity—the only plan you need to finally rest easy knowing your money is where it should be.
You still get your own stash
Saver + spender couples? Totally normal. The point isn’t to be the same — it’s to complement each other.
Different money personalities are fine
When to Start the Money Talks
Probably not on your first date (unless you’re into that). But once things get serious — moving in together, starting a family, buying a home — it’s time. If you’re ten years into marriage and still Venmo-requesting your partner for rent? You’re overdue.
Avoiding the money conversation is risky. If you’re planning a future together, finances need to be on the table, not under the rug.
Want to get your financial sh*t together…
TOGETHER?
The big reveal
INCOME, SPENDING, AND DEBT
Do you know how much your partner makes?
No really— do you?
Nearly half of couples don’t. And of those, 10% guess wrong by $25,000+.
Step one to building a money plan as a couple is laying it all out there:
Income: who makes what.
Spending: how you each spend, what matters most, and what drives each other nuts.
Debt: student loans, credit cards, all of it.
This isn’t about judgment. It’s about reality. Debt doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker — but hiding it is. If your partner won’t be transparent, that’s a red flag.
Aligning on Goals (a.k.a. the Romantic Part)
Talking about money can feel sterile… until you realize money is just a tool for building the life you want. Your goals are part of your dreams for your future together, and that’s actually pretty romantic.
Dream goals can be big (buying a lake house) or small (taking the kids to Disney every year). What matters is setting priorities together:
Which goals are high priority?
Which are “nice to have”?
Which can wait?
Once you know, you can start funding your future in a way that feels realistic — and exciting.
ENTER:
The Money Map for Couples
Here’s where things get good.
At Stash Wealth, we designed the Money Map for Couples to turn your financial chaos into a well-oiled machine:
One money hub account where all income flows in and out.
Automatic transfers for short-, mid-, and long-term goals.
Side stash accounts for guilt-free personal spending.
The Money Map takes your paychecks, debts, savings goals, and splurges, and makes them play nicely together. It’s how you move from “money stress” to “money autopilot.”
Free downloadables here:
Take the guesswork out of couples’ finances
AND FOCUS ON YOUR FUTURE, NOT A BUDGET
BUT WHAT ABOUT DEBT?
Debt happens.
Maybe you did your best “Emily in Paris” impression (before it was cool) in your 20s, and you’re still carrying some debt from that excursion. Maybe you’re dating a very smart doctor, who also comes with a very large tab of student loans.
It’s not about good partner vs. bad partner — it’s about the plan.
Good debt (student loans) can be an investment in higher earning potential.
Bad debt (credit cards, gambling) requires a harder look.
The best approach? Use your combined power. Funnel 20% of your shared money hub toward debt payoff each month. Attack the highest interest debt first (avalanche method) and you’ll save thousands in the long run.
BEYOND THE BASICS:
MARRIAGE, TAXES, AND INSURANCE
If “forever” is on the table, it’s time to talk prenups, tax strategies, and insurance. None of these are sexy, but all of them protect your relationship.
Keep these three things in mind:
Prenups = for lovers. They protect both partners and avoid messy outcomes later.
Taxes matter. Filing jointly can affect student loan repayment or bump you into a higher bracket.
Insurance isn’t optional. If someone depends on your income, protect them.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
If you’ve read this far, congrats! You’ve already taken a huge step toward getting your financial sh*t together, together.
The next step is building a plan designed for your goals, your lifestyle, and your relationship. That’s where the Stash Plan comes in.