By Rashaad Phillips
Intimacy refers to an emotional connection between two people that produces a feeling of oneness. Usually a bond is formed between the two based on their knowledge and experience of each other. Genuine intimacy in human relationships requires effective communication, openness, authenticity, and reciprocity. When two people become intimate with one another, they feel comfortable sharing very private details about themselves. Generally when you hear people discussing intimacy, they are referring to physical intimacy or the act of love making, but very rarely do you hear people discuss Financial Intimacy.
What is Financial Intimacy?
Financial Intimacy involves effective communication about one’s outlook on personal finances, openness about financial transactions, and being authentic about your financial past. Falling in love is pretty easy and making love isn’t that difficult either. But the sharing of intimate financial details is quite challenging and can have a significant impact on your relationships.
Effective Communication
Before making the decision to merge or share resources with another person, detailed conversations about views on money and financial plans should be discussed. Each person needs to fully understand how the other thinks about spending, saving, and investing money. Discussions about financial “wants” versus financial “needs” are required. Find out how each of you viewed and handled money during your childhood and teenage years. The financial education that a person received during childhood and teenage years has a major impact on their money management skills as an adult.
Openness About Financial Transactions
Openness about financial transactions means that you share your short-term and long-term financial plans with your mate. Being open means that you don’t go out, buy a new car, and hide it at your best friend’s house. Financial openness also means that you don’t tell your wife that you purchased season tickets to the Charlotte Bobcats after the 20th home game. The goal of financial openness is to create an environment where both people feel comfortable sharing their plans. Hopefully, you all can develop ways to team up and help each other to reach your short-term and long-term financial goals.
Being Authentic about your Financial Past
Sometimes my clients tell me that their spouse didn’t clearly communicate about his or her unfiled taxes, unpaid taxes, default on student loans, unpaid child support, bankruptcy filing, or poor credit history. Don’t hide who you are when it comes to money because eventually your significant other will find out. When you withhold key information, you lie to your mate through omission. Also, failing to communicate about your financial past creates mistrust and destroys financial intimacy. The truth is that most people have experienced some type of financial challenge. So the goal is to work toward creating an environment where both people feel comfortable communicating about their past financial dealings. Communication is the key to being authentic.
Financial Intimacy leads to Lasting Relationships
Since the economic downturn of 2008, many couples have separated or divorced due to financial issues. On the surface, money appears to be the problem but really it’s only a symptom of the problem. Most couples are eager to engage in physical intimacy and others work toward creating emotional intimacy. However, most fail when it comes to financial intimacy. If you want to increase the lifespan of your relationship, consider adding financial intimacy.
Rashad Phillips is a Certified Financial Coach and a Tax Accountant. For additional information about this article contact Phillips at phillipstaxg@aol.com.
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