Honestly, you’re going to call it a “date”?

You’ve probably heard the term “money date” tossed around—from a financial coach (like me), or from articles about money and couples.

I used to use the term. But I don’t think it resonated with my clients. In fact, I think it sounded silly to them—because for many couples, talking about money feels about as far from fun as you can get! 

So if that’s you, you’re not alone.

But let’s talk about what these meetings are really about, and why they’re so important.

Think of these less like a “date” and more like a check-in for your life together.

They’re not just about budgets. They’re about alignment. 

Where are we headed? What matters to us right now? Are we okay with how we’re spending and saving? What’s working and what’s not?

They matter!

When couples don’t talk regularly about their finances, several things can happen:

• Little frustrations can pile up until they become fights

• One partner may feel burdened, while the other disengages

• Financial decisions get made in isolation or out of fear

• Goals feel vague, or worse—out of reach

One of my clients described it like this: “Money starts to build this invisible wall between us.”

On the flip side, when couples build a habit of these check-ins, they begin to:

• Replace avoidance with teamwork

• Share responsibility more fairly

• Make faster progress toward shared goals

• Feel more confident in their future together

Here’s how to start, gently.

Start small. If your money conversations quickly get heated, then start with this question: “How do you feel about money?” and “How do you want to feel about money?”

The goal isn't to solve everything, but to practice talking so you can built trust and comfort. 

🚨 Here are the guidelines: no accusations, no defensiveness—just listening, with genuine curiosity. When your partner is done talking, leave it at that. (Now it’s their turn to ask you!)

So what should we call them? 

It really doesn’t matter! It’s about the connection. So just give them a home on your calendar. 

Here’s wishing you all the best with these!