Frequently Asked Questions
About Financial Coaching for Couples
Making the decision to get help with your finances is a big step — and it's normal to have questions before you take it. Here are the answers to the questions I hear most often from couples who are considering financial coaching. If you don't see your question here, I'd love to hear from you.
What exactly does a financial coach do?
Managing money is 20% knowledge and 80% behavior. My job as your financial coach is not just to hand you a budget and wish you luck — it's to help you understand the habits and patterns that have been keeping you stuck, and then change them together.
As your coach, I look at your finances from an objective outside perspective and ask the questions that help you uncover why you manage money the way you do. Together we will build a budget, create a plan to eliminate debt, establish an emergency fund, and set up a system that works for both you and your partner long term.
My goal is not to make you dependent on me. My goal is to build your confidence so that eventually you are making strong financial decisions completely on your own.
How do I know if I need financial coaching?
The way you manage money affects your life mentally, emotionally, and even physically. You might be deep in debt and close to a breaking point. You might simply be tired of living paycheck to paycheck. You might have big goals — a house, a family, early retirement — and no idea how to fund them.
Whether your situation feels dire or you just know something needs to change, financial coaching can help. If you are still unsure, book a complimentary Discovery Session. It is free, there is no obligation, and by the end of it you will know exactly whether coaching is the right next step for you.
How do I get my spouse on board with budgeting and paying off debt?
This is one of the most common questions I get — and one I relate to personally. When my husband and I started our financial journey, I was the reluctant one. I didn't want to budget. I didn't believe it would work.
The truth is that your spouse has to decide to get on board for themselves. But there are ways to start the conversation that make it much easier for them to come around. If your partner is hesitant, we can use your Discovery Session to talk through specific strategies for approaching the conversation in a way that feels safe rather than confrontational.
In the meantime, download the free guide — The Essential Money Checklist — as a gentle first step you can share with your partner.
We don't make enough money to pay off debt. Can you still help us?
If you feel like you don't make enough money, that is actually the most important reason to start budgeting. A budget built around your real income — no matter how tight — shows you exactly where every dollar is going and almost always reveals money you didn't know you had.
Part of my job is also to help you make more money. There are more ways than ever to increase your income, and we will explore options that fit your skills, your schedule, and what you actually enjoy doing. The combination of better budgeting and increased income is often what breaks the paycheck to paycheck cycle for good.
What are your coaching fees?
The cost of coaching depends on your specific situation and how often we need to meet. I offer different plan options based on your needs and goals. Pricing is discussed at the end of your Discovery Session, once I have a clear picture of where you are and what it will take to get you where you want to go.
Your Discovery Session is always complimentary. From there, your first Coaching Session and all follow-up sessions are charged based on your plan. Progress Calls are included with your plan at no additional cost.
Think of coaching as an investment in your future. Most couples find that the money they save and the debt they eliminate far outweighs the cost of the program.
What are your qualifications?
I am a certified financial coach with specialized training in behavior-based financial coaching. This means I am equipped not only to help you build a budget and debt payoff plan, but also to help you identify the deeper money behaviors and mindsets that have been keeping you stuck.
I also live the principles I teach. My husband and I paid off all of our debt in 10 months and built a fully funded emergency fund. I am not just teaching a system — I am living it, and I can show you exactly how to do the same.
Do you hold sessions in person or online?
All of my coaching sessions are held virtually over Zoom, which means I can work with couples anywhere in the United States. Sessions are flexible and easy to fit into your schedule — no commute, no childcare scramble, just you, your partner, and a plan.
We can barely keep up with our bills. How can we afford financial coaching?
This is exactly the situation financial coaching is designed for. As your coach I help you find money you didn't know you had through better budgeting, and I help you find ways to increase your income so you have more to work with.
The cost of coaching is an investment that pays for itself. Most couples find money they were unknowingly wasting within the first session alone. If you are not sure you can afford it, let's talk — book a free Discovery Session and we will figure out together whether now is the right time.
Can you help with other financial services like investing or tax advice?
Financial coaching is my specialty — budgeting, debt elimination, money mindset, and building a system that works for your life. For services outside of that, including financial advising, tax preparation, real estate, mortgage guidance, and legal advice, I have a trusted network of professionals I refer clients to regularly. You will always get a recommendation I stand behind personally.
Can we do financial coaching if we're not married yet?
Absolutely. Whether you are engaged, living together, or simply in a committed relationship and want to get on the same page before combining finances, coaching is a great fit. In fact, starting early is one of the best things you can do for your relationship. Money is one of the leading causes of stress in relationships — getting ahead of it before it becomes a problem is a huge advantage.
What if my partner and I have completely different money personalities?
This is more common than you think — and it is actually one of the things financial coaching is best at addressing. One partner is a saver, the other is a spender. One wants to pay off debt aggressively, the other wants to enjoy life now. These differences do not have to be a source of conflict. With the right system and the right communication tools, they can actually balance each other out beautifully. Learning each other's money personalities is often one of the most eye-opening parts of the coaching process.
Is financial coaching the same as couples therapy?
No — and it is worth understanding the difference. Financial coaching is focused specifically on your money — your budget, your debt, your system, and the behaviors and communication habits around money in your relationship. It is practical, goal-oriented, and results-focused.
Couples therapy addresses the broader emotional and relational dynamics in your relationship. If you need both, I am happy to refer you to a trusted marriage counselor in my network. Many of my clients find that working on their finances actually improves their relationship significantly — because money stress is often at the root of a lot of other tension.