More Than a Budget: Recent Episodes
Relational Media
A deep dive into money and relationships and how they work together... and sometimes don't. Hosted by Relational Media co-founders Jeff Fine-Thomas, LMFT, and John Mitchell, CFP®. Each with 30+ years of experience in their respective fields, Jeff and John have come together to help couples stop arguing about money and start building a life together.
In this episode, Jeff takes the lead as he explains to John what exactly therapy is, and who it can help (spoiler: everyone can benefit from therapy!). Listen now to hear Jeff discuss his top takeaways from 30+ years of experience devoted to improving people's mental health.
Our failures have a way of keeping us stuck in the past, reliving our mistakes over and over. But that's exactly what keeps you from moving forward and finally succeeding! In this episode, Jeff and John talk about the shame that comes with financial failure, and how to overcome it.
Jeff and John, joined by guest Linda King, discuss what you need to have prepared before meeting with an estate planning lawyer.
Linda King joins Jeff and John again to share her decades of knowledge and experience helping families estate plan. In this episode, they delve into the details of wills and trusts.
Do I need an estate plan even if I have a will? Can I use fillable forms I found online instead of meeting with a lawyer? In this episode, Jeff and John are joined by Linda King, a lawyer with more that 30 years of experience helping people answer these questions. Listen now for an overview of estate planning!
Do you feel stuck? Maybe you're constantly fighting with your spouse, or maybe you can't seem to get out of debt, no matter how hard you try. In this episode, Jeff and John discuss how to address the hidden issues that can keep us "stuck" and offer actionable ways to get back to where we want to be.
In this episode, Jeff and John cover the basics of budgeting and saving, and discuss the importance of setting goals and developing a financial plan. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your financial situation, this episode has something for everyone. Listen now and take the first step towards securing your financial future!
When life gets rough, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed - but is there a way to plan for the hard times without letting fear and anxiety take control? In this episode, Jeff and John offer advice for what to do when you encounter rough patches.
From credit utilization, to balance transfers, to understanding what affects your score, credit can be a confusing subject. In this episode, Jeff and John give an overview of everything you need to know about credit.
So if more money isn't the key to happiness, what is? By intentionally building a life that reflects our core values (such as spending time with friends and family), we will discover that being a part of something bigger than ourselves can lead to a fulfilling life. In this episode, Jeff and John suggest that creating meaningful relationships is likely the most significant contributor to happiness.
There are very few people who can buy a home, or a brand new car, or pay for a college education without paying them off over time. These things are also rarely discretionary - but the amount we spend might be. In this episode, Jeff and John discuss how to use debt as a tool, not a toy.
Being able to communicate your feelings is just as important as being able to identify them, especially when you're part of a couple. Sometimes finding the words to describe our feelings seems impossible, but being able to honestly discuss them with your partner will help you maintain a healthy relationship - with the added benefit of increasing your emotional intelligence! In this episode, Jeff and John discuss three steps to identifying, communicating, and eventually working through your feelings.
Values are central to how we navigate our lives, especially as a couple. Hidden values are the ones that we've never put into words, but they still shape our choices. In this episode, Jeff and John discuss the concept of hidden values and why it is so important to discuss them as a team.
If you've ever felt that you do more work than your partner, chances are high that you've felt resentment towards them as a result. In this episode, Jeff and John talk about how to share labor - including the "invisible labor" we do every day.
Do you have the same argument with your partner over and over? Believe it or not, that's completely normal! Opposites attract, which means you both have your own way of doing things, and that's going to lead to conflict. In this episode, Jeff and John discuss how opposites attract, and what that means for your relationship.
Tackling your finances can feel overwhelming - there can be a lot to sort out. In this episode, John takes the lead and explains how you should start taking control of your financial future.
Teaching your children about money can be difficult, but it all starts with simple communication. In this episode, Jeff and John break down the basics of how to raise your kids to be financially responsible.
It's easy to focus on what's going wrong, but how often do we stop and feel thankful? Maybe your spouse brought home dinner, or got the kids ready for school, or sent a sweet text when you were having a rough day. In this episode, Jeff and John talk about the importance of expressing gratitude.
Target fixation happens when you focus on the disaster you want to avoid instead of the positive outcome you want. When we fixate on the negative, we often find ourselves moving closer to it. If you or your spouse always seem to be swerving to avoid disasters (and failing), this is the episode for you.
Some people live in the moment and others are always planning ahead. Oftentimes there's one of each in a relationship, which can lead to frustration financially and otherwise. If it feels like you and your partner are arguing in different time zones, this episode is for you!
Therapy can give you a safe space to work through mental health struggles and help you develop the skills to cope with life's toughest challenges. Unfortunately, it tends to be expensive, especially if you don't have insurance. In this episode, Jeff and John discuss how you can work therapy into your life without throwing breaking the bank.
Two of the most common reasons for divorce are sex and money. Both of those things are important in our relationships, so why is it so hard to talk about them? Jeff and John dive into the reasons behind why we avoid subjects we perceive as "uncomfortable", and walk us through how to tackle them head-on.
It's easy to get stuck having the same arguments - but what if we weren't arguing with the intent to win? What if we were arguing to repair? Jeff and John break down how to approach a fight as a chance to understand each other better and break the cycle of arguing once and for all.
In this week's episode, Jeff and John tackle the concept of financial planning - what is it, who is it for, and is it something you even need to be doing?
Jeff and John talk a lot about therapy, but what exactly IS therapy? In this episode, Jeff explains what therapy is, how it might look, and who can benefit (spoiler: everyone can!).
It's easy to get stuck into a routine with your partner, but it's important to remember that you're so much more than roommates! Catch this week's episode of Love & Other Investments to hear Jeff and John's tips on how to grow as a couple, rather than just grow as individuals.
How we were raised, and specifically, how we were taught to view money, shapes the type of person, and eventually the type of parent, that we become. You and your spouse were raised differently, so how are you supposed to come together and agree on how to raise your own children - specifically when it comes to spending money on them? Listen to this week's episode of Love & Other Investments to find about what Jeff and John recommend.
Different situations in life might force you to choose one partner's career over the other, and the answer might not be as simple as the bigger paycheck. In this episode, Jeff and John discuss how to honor both your careers without making one more important than the other.
Successful investing does not guarantee financial success - how you handle your money together could have a bigger impact. In this episode, Jeff and John walk through how to improve your money-handling skills so you can reach those financial goals together.
Envy, comparison, jealousy - whatever you want to call it, we've all experienced it. It can be tempting to look at other couples and want what they have... or at least what they seem to have. In this week's episode, Jeff and John discuss why it's so important for you and your spouse to build your own story, and not just steal someone else's.
Secure attachment is the healthiest form of attachment, and consistency is the most important part of creating it. In this episode, Jeff and John discuss how attachment theory and money collide.
Arguments are like a check engine light for your relationship - there's been a disconnect and something needs your attention. In this episode, Jeff and John walk through how to address those disconnection points with empathy so you can work to understand your partner, even if you disagree with them.
Even if you don't have clinically diagnosed depression, struggling with poor mental health is part of the human experience. In this episode, Jeff and John discuss how depression affects your finances and your relationships.
Life can get really hard really fast. Jeff and John discuss the importance of understanding your core expenses as a couple so a life crisis doesn't have to be a financial crisis.
Work is important, but is it taking priority over your relationship? Do you feel like you have to choose between providing for your family and spending time with them? Jeff and John break down how to identify workaholism - either in yourself or in your partner - and how to refocus your energy onto the things that matter most.
Diapers, doctor bills and college savings, oh my! It's not news that having children is expensive, but how do you know if you can afford to start a family? Jeff and John walk through how to answer that question with your partner.
In this week's episode, Jeff and John break down how to handle big purchases - the ones we expect and the ones that take us by surprise - without throwing your budget out the window.
When one person in a relationship earns more money than the other, it can feel like an imbalance of power. But the truth is, each partner contributes more than money to the relationship. Jeff and John discuss how to bring balance back into your relationship in this week's episode of Love & Other Investments.
You can't change until you know why change didn't happen before. It's easy to start a new plan, but if we don't first focus on the "why," you could be setting yourself up for another failure. Jeff and John discuss the real first step of making change happen - step zero - in this week's episode.
Do you find it difficult to stay focused? Do you try to explain your thought process and end up getting blank stares? You might struggle with attention issues! Jeff and John break down how this can affect your relationship with your partner and your finances, and provide advice on how to deal with potential roadblocks.
If you believe you are struggling with symptoms of ADHD, talk to your doctor about potential diagnosis and treatment.
We all know how to do basic addition and subtraction, so why does it sometimes feel like we don't know how to "do money"? Something is getting in the way. Jeff and John discuss some common mental blocks, like not having clarity about your financial goals, and how to overcome them.
The average cost of living has risen due to inflation, but experts say that "revenge spending" has also reached new heights. Jeff and John discuss the debt-creating cycle of impulsively spending above your budget and what you can do to prevent it.
Article referenced from CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/20/shoppers-spend-over-300-a-month-on-impulse-purchases-despite-recession-fears.html
The impact of traumatic events can impact us for years, and as a result, it affects every part of our lives. Jeff and John discuss the difficult topic of trauma, specifically the anxiety that comes with it, and how that shapes the way we deal with money.
There's no shortage of self-help books, and yet people still find themselves stuck looking for "the answer." Jeff and John discuss the process required for true change. Surprise - it takes hard work and communication.
Why should date night be a priority for couples? Jeff and John discuss how setting aside a time just for the two of you will strengthen your connection and benefit your relationship.
Have you ever made an impulse purchase without talking it over with your spouse? Int his episode, Jeff and John discuss how to get over a financial breach of trust with your partner.
Join Jeff and John as they talk through the benefits of couples therapy. Will it help you stop arguing about money?
Do you feel like you and your partner aren't on the same page? In this episode, Jeff and John discuss alignment, and how to work with your partner towards common goals.
Has your partner ever said "I don't care, you decide" when you ask them about money? Have YOU ever said that? Jeff and John discuss how to get both of you equally involved with your money.
Jeff and John discuss the difficult topic of inflation, and more importantly, what does it have to do with my relationship?