When I sit down with clients to help them build an investment plan, I’m not just drawing from my training and experience – I’m also sharing lessons from my own life. My wife and I have spent the past several years building financial habits that have given us confidence, clarity, and a strong foundation for the future. In this month’s newsletter, I want to pull back the curtain and share how we approach our personal finances as a couple, the conversations we have, and some of the early decisions that helped us get where we are today.

Money can be a source of stress in relationships, but for us, it’s become a source of alignment. Early on, we made it a priority to talk openly about our goals, spending, and priorities. These weren’t always easy conversations, especially when we were figuring out how to merge different financial habits and perspectives. But over time, we built a shared language around money, and that’s made all the difference.

We hold “Micro” money check-ins monthly, and “Macro” check-ins quarterly. How do the two differ from one another? Our micro meetings focus more on how we’re doing with our week-to-week budget. This can range anywhere from reviewing how much discretionary spending we’re doing (Money spent at restaurants, shopping, etc.) to discussing any unexpected expenses we need to account for (Vet bill, car issues, home repair, etc.). These micro meetings allow us to spend money on the things we enjoy guilt-free, because a portion of our budget is carved out specifically for just that! If unexpected expenses arise, we can pivot by either reducing our discretionary spending or tapping into our emergency fund (which we’ll talk about later).

Our macro meetings focus more on our progress towards our retirement and savings goals. At the end of each quarter, we sit down to review the prior three months. I built a spreadsheet that allows us to visually track our progress. This includes how much we saved, updated account values, and net worth. I would highly recommend incorporating this habit, as it allows you to not only track how far you have come, but also see the realities of market pullbacks as it relates to updating account values. It’s a great reminder that progress is not always linear, and that our focus needs to be on the things we can control (continued saving) rather than those we cannot control (stock market volatility).

The last part of our discussion (which I believe to be the most important) is a rundown of all our assets (401k, Brokerage, IRAs, Life Insurance, HSA, Etc.) and where they’re held. A separate tab on our spreadsheet lists the specific account, login information, and who to contact should I happen to pass sooner than our plan accounts for. To be fair, my default answer has always been “just contact Brian.” Although my wife’s passion for personal finance is minimal compared to mine, it’s essential both spouses are involved in the planning process. The goal here is to make sure my wife can confidently move forward financially without my involvement.

We knew from the start that automation would make everything easier. Many people have a learned habit of spending first and saving what’s left. Our approach has been the exact opposite. We save first and spend what’s left. We do this by automating our savings. 401(k) contributions are automatically deducted from our paychecks and money is automatically transferred to savings, IRAs, or brokerage accounts. Automation eliminates any temptation of not making progress towards our goals.

Removing the friction from saving and investing was one of the best decisions we made. It helps us stay consistent – especially during those months when life gets busy and budgeting isn’t top of mind.

From the beginning, we made it a priority to consistently save, especially into our retirement accounts. Even when our incomes were lower, we made it a point to contribute to our 401(k)s and Roth IRAs as much as we could. Automating those contributions helped us stay disciplined, and over time we worked up to maxing them out.

The earlier you start, the more time compound interest has to do the heavy lifting. We viewed every contribution as planting seeds for the future. Seeds that would eventually grow into freedom, options, and confidence. We didn’t wait for the “perfect” time or income level to begin. Starting early gave us a head start that’s hard to replicate later, even with higher earnings.

Building an emergency fund should be one of the first major financial goals you and your spouse tackle together. Set a target of 3-6 months of living expenses and treat it like any other bill – automating small contributions until it becomes fully funded. Knowing that money is there gives us a sense of calm that no investment account ever could.

Life throws curveballs, having a cash buffer means those moments don’t turn into financial crisis. Instead of scrambling or racking up debt, we can focus on solving the problem. That confidence allows us to make long-term decisions more confidently, without being held back by short-term fear. It’s one of the most underrated tools for reducing financial stress in everyday life.

One of the most powerful things we did was define what “enough” meant for us. Rather than comparing ourselves to others, we took time to talk about what a fulfilling life actually looks like. For us, that includes financial security, time together, and flexibility. That clarity helps us say “no” to the things that don’t align, and “yes” to the things that do.

We’ve learned that financial well-being isn’t just about numbers. It’s about knowing your values and making sure your money supports them.

Despite everything we’ve put in place, we’re still learning and growing. Like any couple, we’ve made financial decisions we later questioned. But we treat those as opportunities – not failures. We step back, talk through what happened, and adjust.

That mindset of constant learning is something I try to bring to every client conversation, too. Planning isn’t about perfection, it’s about direction, discipline, and small, intentional steps over time.

If you’re just starting out or trying to get on the same page with your spouse financially, know that it’s a process. The steps we took early on- communicating openly, automating savings, creating an emergency fund, and aligning our values have paid off in a big way. If you ever need someone to help you put the pieces together or think through your next move, I’m always here.

Here's to building a life of financial confidence – together.

Dustin A. Husarik