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Tag: Finances

  • This Valentine’s Day, Americans choose financial stability over romance

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    With Valentine’s Day on Saturday, a new survey shows that more Americans are looking for financial stability in a partner than for romance.

    The survey, from Ramsey Solutions’ Q4 State of Personal Finance, found 63% of respondents said they’d prefer a partner who is financially secure but not very exciting over one who is romantic but bad with money.

    56% also said they never had a serious conversation about money with their partner before getting married.

    The numbers come as so many Coloradans continue to worry about finances.

    Around 75,000 Coloradans lost their health coverage when Affordable Care Act subsidies expired at the start of 2026, and hundreds of thousands more saw their premiums skyrocket.
    Interest rates are higher than many would like.

    And the latest inflation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows prices rose 0.3% in December and 2.7% over the last year—the Bureau’s new January numbers will be released on Friday, 2/13.

    “It isn’t really wanting to be with someone who has a lot of money, but wanting to be with someone stable and financially secure,” said University of Denver psychology research professor Galena Rhoades. “That’s a reflection of values: drive, motivation, but also that need for stability and security, especially in a time when things feel uncertain.”

    Denver7 asked Rhoades if that means values can change over time depending on what’s happening nationally. She said “yes.”

    “I think our values are malleable in many ways,” Rhoades added. “Maybe not our core values, but how we value different values and prioritize different values, especially with respect to what’s going on in our country.”

    She pointed to 2016 as another example. After President Donald Trump was elected in his first term, Rhoades says more people paid attention to a prospective partner’s political leanings as a prerequisite.

    “One of the things that we’re missing is actually the opportunity to observe someone in real life from a little bit of a distance,” Rhoades said. “So, if you meet someone at school, at work, through friends, you often get this opportunity to see them for some time before you fall in love with them, before you go on a first date, and and I think that’s missing in dating today, sort of the opportunity to observe someone and learn from how you see them in the real world.”

    Rhoades emphasized that the increase in financial stability doesn’t mean people no longer value romanticism.

    “I actually would bet that that doesn’t mean that people are valuing romance, love, and connection any less,” she said. “I think we’re seeing that that is elevated, that people want a partner who’s secure and stable, but not that we see a decrease in romance or love as part of that.

    Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Dan Grossman

    Denver7 morning anchor Dan Grossman shares stories that have an impact in all of Colorado’s communities, but specializes in covering consumer and economic issues. If you’d like to get in touch with Dan, fill out the form below to send him an email.

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    Dan Grossman

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  • How does a second marriage affect my estate planning? – Growing Family

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    Collaborative post

    A second marriage can reshape your family in many positive ways, but it also introduces new legal and financial considerations. When two households come together, there may be children from previous relationships, shared homes, inherited items of sentimental value and new commitments to balance. What many people don’t realise is that marriage automatically revokes a will. If estate planning isn’t updated after major life changes like this, your assets might pass in a way you never intended, leaving loved ones excluded in the most serious cases.

    For families building a life together, understanding how remarriage affects inheritance and wills can make a real difference to how smoothly things unfold in the future. Here, we explain the key issues that blended families should be aware of and how planning ahead can prevent stress and disputes later on.

    last will and testament

    Marriage revokes your previous will

    In England and Wales, marriage automatically cancels any existing will unless that will specifically states it was written in contemplation of the marriage. Once you remarry, the old will becomes invalid. If a new one isn’t drafted, your estate is divided according to the intestacy rules when you die.

    Under intestacy, your new spouse receives priority over children from earlier relationships. This often surprises families and is one of the most common ways loved ones are unintentionally excluded from any inheritance. If your spouse inherits everything, they are legally free to keep it or pass it on however they choose, and there is no guarantee your children will receive any part of the estate.

    Making a new will removes this uncertainty and lets you decide how your assets should be shared. With larger estates, children are likely to inherit some of the estate, but this is not particularly efficient for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes. A much better solution can be achieved with a carefully drafted will.

    Stepchildren and blended families

    Stepchildren don’t automatically inherit under intestacy rules. They can only receive a gift from your estate if you name them in a will. In blended families, where bonds are formed later in life, this can lead to difficult outcomes if a will is outdated or not in place at all.

    Tension sometimes arises when adult children worry about being displaced, or when a new partner becomes involved in financial decisions that were previously straightforward. The more clearly your wishes are recorded, the easier it is to protect relationships and avoid misunderstandings.

    How trusts can help

    Trusts are often used in second-marriage scenarios to balance the needs of a spouse with the desire to provide for children from a previous relationship. A life interest trust, for example, allows your spouse to benefit from income or use of a property during their lifetime, while preserving the capital for your children later on.

    Trusts can also be used to:

    • Protect assets you inherited from your own parents.
    • Ringfence property you want to keep within your family line.
    • Manage Inheritance Tax exposure.
    • Reduce the scope for conflict by making your intentions legally binding.

    Setting up a trust involves financial and legal considerations, so professional guidance is helpful to make sure the structure reflects what you want and works as expected.

    a person signing documentsa person signing documents

    Jointly held property and nominations

    Even with a carefully written will, some assets (such as certain types of property) follow different legal rules and may not be included in your estate in the way you intend.

    Jointly owned property

    If you own a home with someone else as joint tenants, your share automatically passes to the surviving owner through the right of survivorship, regardless of what your will says. If you prefer your share to pass under your will – for example, to adult children – you would need to change the ownership structure of the property to that of tenants in common first.

    Pensions and life insurance

    Pension schemes and life insurance policies usually rely on nomination forms or expressions of wishes. These must be kept up to date, especially after remarriage. If the nomination contradicts the will, the provider will normally rely on the form, even if it no longer reflects your intentions.

    Joint bank accounts

    Joint accounts usually pass directly to the surviving account holder. This means the balance does not form part of the estate for distribution under a will. In blended families, this can cause issues if the money was intended to be shared more widely among children or stepchildren.

    Avoiding will disputes

    Second marriages can create competing expectations about inheritance. Adult children may assume they will inherit directly, while a new spouse may believe they should receive the entire estate. Problems tend to arise when a will is outdated, unclear or cancelled by a marriage, or omits someone who was financially dependent on the deceased.

    Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 may arise when someone feels they have not been adequately provided for. Disputes can also follow where informal promises were made but not recorded, or where property and financial arrangements are more complicated than the will reflects.

    If disagreements do arise, or if you want support when planning to reduce the risk of conflict, Will dispute solicitors can clarify options and prevent issues.

    Keeping your estate plan current

    As your family grows and changes, your estate plan should change with it. Updating your will after remarriage, reviewing how property is owned, and checking nomination forms for pensions and insurance policies helps to make sure your intentions are followed. This preparation can bring peace of mind to families, especially in the emotional aftermath of a loved one’s death.

    Taking time to plan now supports those you care about and reduces the likelihood of disagreements later on, allowing your family to focus on the moments that matter.

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    Catherine

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  • Hundreds Of Oregon Municipalities Fail To File Financial Reports – KXL

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    Salem, Ore. – Oregon municipalities and public corporations are required to file annual financial reports with the state.  As of the end of the year, 238 entities were at least one year behind in filing.

    “It’s a requirement because people need to have confidence that public dollars are being used correctly and that those municipalities are following the law,” says Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read, “Essentially [it’s] a representation that the numbers are accurate.  They have to be reviewed by a CPA.”

    He admits it’s tough for some entities to do it, and if an audit by a certified public accountant is necessary, there’s a cost, “These are often very small municipalities that don’t have a lot of people and a lot of resources.  I understand they have a lot of things going on, but it’s that rigor, that consistency that discipline really matters and that’s why we’re highlighting it.” He adds, “The fact that we had a lot of challenges through the COVID environment and the combination of that and a lack of adequate resources.” And, Read says, there are accommodations, “Sometimes, if it’s a smaller entity they can self-report that.  It’s a way of being transparent and if that doesn’t happen we need to hold them accountable.”

    Not filing can affect an entities’ ability to service debt or get new debt.  School districts can lose funding from the Oregon Department of Education if they miss three years. Special service districts can be dissolved if they fail to file for three years.

    Among those with missing reports in 2025: The cities of Albany and Sweet Home, and Baker County. Click HERE for the complete list.

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    Heather Roberts

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  • How an hour in January can help your finances throughout the year – WTOP News

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    Planning the finances for a new year is a task many put off, because it sounds daunting and time-consuming. But one financial expert says it doesn’t have to be that scary, and it doesn’t need to take that long.

    Mapping out a financial plan for the new year is a task many put off, because it sounds daunting and time-consuming. But one financial expert said it doesn’t have to be that scary, and it doesn’t need to take that long.

    “I wish our listeners would just take an hour or two to set aside time and hire yourself to dive into your finances,” said Barry Glassman, founder and president of Glassman Wealth Services.

    Within the hour or so that’s set aside, Glassman said the time can easily be used to establish automated payment schedules and savings allocations.

    “So let’s say you wanted to build up a cash reserve, you want to set aside money to buy a house. Take a look at your 401(k) holding,” Glassman said. “Make sure you’re getting the match, those kinds of things. Set those things up automatically in January.”

    Reviewing credit card statements is also key, Glassman said, as many include summaries that lay out specifically how funds are being spent.

    “If you see where your money went last year, nine times out of 10 you’ll likely reprioritize where you want to spend in 2026,” he said. “If you’re sharing expenses with a loved one or a roommate, go through those expenses and have an open conversation. Is this where we want our money to go in 2026?”

    It’s also worth prioritizing investment interests for the year, and figuring out the dollar amount that will go toward the rainy day fund. Glassman said even five bucks a week can go a long way over time.

    “A lot of people are overwhelmed with, ‘I don’t know how to start saving,’” Glassman said. “Start small. If it’s $10, if it’s $100, it doesn’t matter.”

    When it comes to useful financial planning tools, AI chatbots can also be used to help identify best ways to save and plan, according to Glassman.

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    Ian Crawford

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  • Why Entrepreneurs Must Master These 5 Financial Basics or Struggle to Succeed

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    This article was written by Jennifer Barnes, an Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) member in San Diego who is the CEO and Founder of Optima Office, which provides part-time controllers, CFOs, bookkeeping, and HR services to clients nationwide. The company has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list three times and was included to the 2025 Inc. Best Workplaces list. Below, she shares the strategic financial indicators every entrepreneur must understand to succeed.

    I’ve spent two decades working with entrepreneurs, and I’ve noticed something: The ones who scale successfully can answer five specific financial questions without hesitation. The ones who struggle? They wait for their accountant to tell them the answers. 

    With International Accounting Day coming up on November 10, let’s flip the usual narrative. Your certified public accountant firm is essential, but they’re historians, not fortune tellers. They tell you what happened in the past. You need to know what’s happening right now—and what’s about to happen next. 

    Your ability to answer the following accounting questions is fundamental to maintaining a healthy, well-run business. 

    1. Your cash runway  

    “How many months can your business operate at current burn rate before running out of cash?” 

    If you can’t answer this within 30 seconds, you’re flying blind. Your bank might show $200,000 today, but if you’re burning $75,000 a month with $150,000 in payables due next week, your runway isn’t “almost three months.” It’s weeks. 

    Your CPA can tell you what you spent last quarter. However, knowing your runway requires real-time visibility. This is where a controller or fractional CFO becomes invaluable. They’re tracking this daily, not quarterly. 

    2. Your true gross margin 

    “What does it actually cost you to deliver your product or service?”

    I’ve met countless entrepreneurs who think they have 60 percent margins when they have 35 percent. They forget to factor in their fulfillment costs, returns, customer service time, or sales commissions. 

    Your gross margin tells you if your business model actually works. Below 50 percent in services or 40 percent in products? Scaling will be painful. Your accountant categorizes expenses correctly, but understanding what truly belongs in your Cost of Goods Sold calculation requires someone who understands your business model deeply and tracks these numbers monthly. 

    3. Your customer acquisition cost versus lifetime value 

    “How much does it cost to acquire a customer, and how much will they spend with you over time?”

    If it costs you $500 to acquire a customer who spends $400 with you once, you don’t have a business: You have an expensive hobby. 

    Calculating true CAC (including all marketing, sales salaries, and tools) and projecting lifetime value (factoring in churn and repeat purchases) requires ongoing analysis. This is what a good fractional CFO does, and it’s the difference between growing profitably and just growing. 

    4. Your operating cash conversion cycle 

    “How long from when you spend cash on inventory or labor to when you collect from customers?”

    If you’re paying vendors in 30 days, holding inventory for 45 days, and customers pay you in 60 days, you’ve got a 105-day cycle. Growth requires constant cash infusion. You’re funding your customers’ operations with your cash. 

    Most entrepreneurs discover this when they land a big contract and realize they can’t afford to fulfill it. Your accountant produces your balance sheet, but understanding the interplay between payables, receivables, and inventory requires someone looking at these numbers regularly with strategic eyes.  

    5. Your break-even point 

    “How much revenue do you need to cover all your fixed costs?”

    Not approximately—exactly. And are you tracking toward it each month? Too many entrepreneurs vaguely know they need “around $100,000 per month” without understanding their fixed versus variable costs. When you know you need $87,500 to break even and you’re at $82,000 with a week left in the month, you make different decisions than when you’re guessing. 

    The real point 

    If you can’t answer these five questions confidently, it’s not your fault, and it’s not your CPA’s fault. It’s structural. Your CPA firm does essential compliance work, but they’re not designed to be your real-time financial dashboard. 

    This is where the right financial infrastructure changes everything. A controller, even a part-time one, creates the systems necessary to track these metrics. A fractional CFO interprets them and helps you make better decisions. Together, they make your relationship with your CPA firm more productive because everyone is playing the correct role. 

    The entrepreneurs who scale successfully aren’t necessarily smarter; they just have better information architecture. They’ve built financial systems that give them visibility before they desperately need it. 

    So, on International Accounting Day, celebrate your accountant. They’re crucial. However, also ask yourself: Do you have the financial infrastructure that empowers you to know your numbers without waiting for them? In entrepreneurship, the difference between knowing your numbers monthly versus daily is often the difference between thriving and surviving. 

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

    The early-rate deadline for the 2026 Inc. Regionals Awards is Friday, November 14, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply now.

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  • 6 Best Practices for Managing a Fast-Growing Business’s Finances

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    Scaling a high-growth business is nothing short of a rollercoaster. It can also be the time when your financial foundations are at their most vulnerable. What worked when you were a 20-person startup often collapses under the weight of 200 employees, multiple geographies, and fast-changing customer demands. Cash flow visibility fades, hiring becomes reactive, and investment decisions can drift away from actual business outcomes.

    Finance leaders play a critical role at this inflection point. Their job isn’t just to report numbers but to also bring structure, insight, and accountability to every function. They can connect the dots between how the business earns, spends, and grows, tightening controls without slowing momentum.

    At Abacum, we’ve seen many fast-growing companies transform their financial management in a matter of months by sticking to a structured, focused approach. The following six best practices are drawn from those experiences.

    Optimize financial resilience

    Start by getting a crystal-clear view of your cash flow. Reconcile bank statements down to the cent, categorize transactions into key buckets, and focus on cash in versus cash out. Line up Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), cash owed, and cash collected for every customer.

    Next, build a conservative three-month projection and runway model. Keep a running list of strategic levers, like investments, cost cuts, or financing options, so you’re always ready to act on opportunity or risk at short notice.

    Uncover growth opportunities

    Growth depends on a deep, holistic understanding of your go-to-market strategy. By segmenting revenue and costs across geographies and channels, you can identify the most effective paths and double down on what’s working.

    Then dig into the “why” behind the numbers – i.e. talk to teams, identify where leads fall off at each stage, and use that insight to refine your strategy. This combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis is where sustainable growth comes from.

    Keep revenue strong and predictable

    Customer success is the backbone of financial stability. Start by mapping the entire customer journey; from onboarding to renewal and expansion, to uncover bottlenecks such as slow implementations or weak handoffs.

    Introduce a simple customer health score that allows everyone to see the status of each account and take action before problems escalate. From product to sales to support, ensure leadership understands how success depends on coordination across teams.

    Align investment with outcomes

    Product and engineering aren’t black boxes. They’re deeply tied to financial outcomes, customer satisfaction, and market position.

    Finance teams should connect product usage, pricing, and the roadmap directly to revenue and cost metrics. Regularly reviewing product performance, roadmap execution, and tech efficiency, ensuring investment decisions are grounded in real results, not mere assumptions.

    Turn talent data into strategic insights

    Your talent data is a powerful strategic tool. Start by linking headcount and baseline performance metrics across functions for early guidance on where to hire and when. Then set clear milestones for recruitment and make performance reviews a consistent discipline.

    Align employee incentives with company performance to create a culture that drives both accountability and growth.

    Complete a 60-day revamp

    To make real progress, break your transformation into focused 14-day sprints. We recommend three phases to start with: Foundational (Days 1-14), Analysis & Improvements (Days 15-30), and Ramp Up Day-to-Day (Days 31-45). Each phase delivers more tangible wins.

    Keep zooming in on details and out for the big picture until this rhythm becomes second nature. Above all, stay focused. Getting distracted midway through this process is the number one mistake leaders make for a reason – it breaks momentum before the real impact begins to show.

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    Julio Martínez

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  • Opinion | The Crisis in Paris Is That No One Recognizes the Real Crisis

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    France’s welfare state is in desperate need of reform, but Macron is obsessing over Marine Le Pen.

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    Joseph C. Sternberg

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  • GoFundMe CEO says the economy is so bad that more of his customers are crowdfunding just to pay for their groceries | Fortune

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    GoFundMe’s CEO just said the quiet part out loud: in this economy, more Americans are crowdfunding groceries to get by.

    The head of GoFundMe, Tim Cadogan, told Yahoo! Finance the economy is so challenged that more Americans are raising money to buy food—an arresting data point that captures the widening gap between household budgets and basic needs.

    In a recent interview on the Opening Bid Unfiltered podcast with Brian Sozzi, he described a notable rise in campaigns for essentials like groceries, a shift from one-off emergencies toward everyday survival.

    “Basic things you need to get through life [have] gone up significantly in the last three years in practically all our markets,” Cadogan said.

    That evolution underscores the new economic reality for many Americans: persistent inflation, higher borrowing costs, and thin financial cushions are forcing many households to triage bills, juggle debt, and seek help in new ways.

    Groceries as the new emergency

    Cadogan’s observation—that more people are asking strangers to help pay for staples—marks a sobering turn for a platform historically associated with medical bills, disaster relief, and community projects. When the cost of food stretches paychecks past the breaking point, crowdfunding morphs from altruism to a parallel safety net.

    In previous Fortune coverage of inflation’s long tail, consumers’ coping tactics have included trading down brands, shrinking baskets, delaying car repairs, and leaning on credit cards. The shift Cadogan describes suggests those tactics have run out of runway for a growing slice of the country, especially younger and lower-income households who rent, commute, and carry variable-rate debt.

    The inflation aftershock

    Even as headline inflation cools from its peak, elevated price levels remain embedded in household budgets. Fortune has tracked how cumulative inflation, not just the monthly prints, weighs on families. For instance, groceries cost more than they did two or three years ago, rents have reset higher, and child care is straining paychecks.

    Wage gains helped many workers, but unevenly and often after costs had already jumped. For families without savings buffers, a higher cost baseline is the real story. That backdrop explains why an uptick in grocery campaigns on GoFundMe isn’t a curiosity—it’s a barometer of the current economy.

    The credit crunch at the kitchen table

    Household balance sheets have been whipsawed by stubbornly high prices on necessities as well as steeper borrowing costs on credit cards and auto loans. Fortune’s reporting has highlighted rising delinquency rates among younger borrowers and the squeeze from student loan repayments resuming after a long pause. For some, the social capital of friends, community groups, and online donors now substitutes for financial capital. Crowdfunding groceries is a last-mile solution in a system where wages, benefits, and public supports haven’t fully bridged the gap.

    The Great Wealth Transfer meets a giving plateau

    Cadogan also frames this moment as an opportunity: the U.S. is entering a historic wealth transfer as baby boomers pass tens of trillions to heirs and philanthropy. Yet overall charitable giving as a share of GDP has struggled to break out sustainably above roughly 2%. A central challenge is converting private balance-sheet strength into public generosity at scale. Fortune has explored the paradox of robust asset markets—fueled by equities, real estate, and private investments—coexisting with widespread financial insecurity. The wealth transfer could amplify that divergence or narrow it, depending on whether inheritors and living donors commit to more dynamic, needs-based giving.

    Gen Z, millennials, and a new donor thesis

    The GoFundMe CEO hopes younger donors, who are often more values-driven, digitally native, and community-oriented, will push giving higher and faster.

    These cohorts already power mutual aid networks and micro-giving online; the question is whether that instinct can scale beyond one-off campaigns to sustained support for food security, housing stability, and local services.

    If employer matching, donor-advised vehicles, and purpose-built funds become easier to use—and if transparency and immediacy remain high—small-dollar giving could compound into a measurable macro effect.

    What comes next

    Many Americans remain one shock away from going into arrears. More GoFundMe campaigns for groceries fits that narrative and raises a challenge to wealth holders on the cusp of inheritance decisions.

    If the wealth transfer is the economic story of the decade, the generosity transfer might be its moral counterpart. Whether giving can rise meaningfully above its long-running share of the economy will hinge on channeling today’s empathy into tomorrow’s infrastructure, so that no one needs to pass the hat to put food on the table.

    For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing. 

    Fortune Global Forum returns Oct. 26–27, 2025 in Riyadh. CEOs and global leaders will gather for a dynamic, invitation-only event shaping the future of business. Apply for an invitation.

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    Ashley Lutz

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  • Klarna goes public as 3 in 4 Americans rely on buy-now, pay-later. Experts worry it’s snowballing ‘quickly into a serious financial burden’ | Fortune

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    Swedish fintech firm Klarna just made its highly anticipated debut on the New York Stock Exchange, raising $1.37 billion and locking in a $15 billion valuation. But finance and legal experts are becoming wary of the growing risks associated with the ballooning buy-now, pay later (BNPL) industry. 

    Klarna, known for its short-term, interest-free financing solutions for consumers, has rapidly expanded its user base to more than 100 million globally, partnering with more than 720,000 retailers. The Wednesday IPO is a signal of how large and influential BNPL options have become. According to a survey published Wednesday by LegalShield of more than 2,000 U.S. adults aged 18 to 80, a whopping three-fourths of people rely on BNPL services, which also include products like Affirm, Afterpay, and Sezzle. Even PayPal has a BNPL option.

    Although Klarna and other BNPL services are growing increasingly popular—often replacing credit cards for some younger generations—that doesn’t mean they’re without risks. While the service can allow for consumers to break up large purchases into more digestible payments, if they have too many of these in place, the costs can easily rack up.

    “We’re hearing story after story of people overextending themselves, juggling payments from various loan companies and banks,” Rebecca A. Carter, a LegalShield provider lawyer with Friedman, Framme & Thrush, said in a statement. “What many don’t realize is that if you aren’t disciplined about managing the payment schedules and budgeting, it can snowball quickly into a serious financial burden.”

    Analysts have coined this shift from flexible financing to a “bandage for basics” ahead of the FICO pilot, according to Storyful Intelligence. 

    And what many people—nearly 40% of consumers, according to LegalShield—also don’t realize is that BNPL will soon impact credit scores for people who use it to buy things like clothing, furniture, concert tickets, takeout food, or even an Airbnb stay. Starting this fall, FICO scores will include BNPL data from consumers.

    “Buy Now, Pay Later loans are playing an increasingly important role in consumers’ financial lives,” Julie May, vice president and general manager of B2B Scores at FICO, said in a statement. “We’re enabling lenders to more accurately evaluate credit readiness, especially for consumers whose first credit experience is through BNPL products.”

    Complex financial tool

    LegalShield also warns 45% of BNPL users have faced legal or contractual disputes from using the financing service, with 62% of those reporting billing errors and 60% forced to pay even after returning items. But many of these customers just give up, LegalShield found, and just pay incorrect charges or don’t know they have the legal right to dispute them.

    “BNPL has evolved from a simple payment option into a complex financial tool that, without proper understanding and legal guidance, can gradually become overwhelming for families,” Carter said. 

    To be sure, not all aspects of BNPL services are bad. They’ve given consumers more purchasing power, an interest-free option for paying off major purchases, and instant gratification for customers who would otherwise have to save up for a long time to make a high-ticket purchase. It’s also been positive for merchants in that they can have increased sales volume and expand to new customer demographics. 

    Personal finance experts have also offered advice to consumers for not getting overwhelmed by BNPL payments—chiefly not spending more than you make. 

    “Credit card debt is a terrible place to be. Interest rates are unbelievable, and if you find yourself in that trap, it can be so hard to get out of,” Allyson Kiel, a private wealth advisor at Synovus Bank, previously told Fortune’s Preston Fore. “If it’s a want and not a need, you should wait.”

    Consumers can also expect more BNPL innovations in the future—particularly in light of Klarna’s IPO.

    “This isn’t the finish line. It’s fuel,” Klarna CEO and cofounder Sebastian Siemiatkowski said in a statement about the IPO. “Fuel for us to keep disrupting, keep innovating, and keep making life easier for millions of people out there.

    Fortune Global Forum returns Oct. 26–27, 2025 in Riyadh. CEOs and global leaders will gather for a dynamic, invitation-only event shaping the future of business. Apply for an invitation.

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    Sydney Lake

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  • Combining Finances and Responsibilities: A Complete Guide for Couples Merging Their Lives

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    Moving In Together: How to Combine Finances and Responsibilities

    You’re staring at the stack of bills on your kitchen counter—half yours, half theirs—and wondering how couples actually make this whole “shared life” thing work. Sound familiar?

    If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve recently discovered that combining two financial lives is more complex than anyone warned you about. 

    Most couples dive into shared living arrangements thinking love will figure out the logistics. But research shows that financial stress is one of the top predictors of relationship conflict. The good news? It can be managed effectively with the right approach. 

    Here’s What’s Really Happening When You Avoid the Money Talk

    When couples skip intentional financial planning, they often start making money decisions reactively rather than proactively. One person ends up paying more, resentment builds quietly, and suddenly you’re having heated discussions about takeout that are really about fairness, control, and shared values.

    Research shows that couples who have structured financial conversations early in cohabitation report higher relationship satisfaction over time. Why? Because they’ve created systems that honor both partners’ autonomy while building genuine partnership.

    The truth is, combining finances isn’t really about money. It’s about trust, communication, and creating a shared vision for your life together. Every conversation about who pays for what is actually a conversation about your values, your future, and how you want to show up for each other.

    What You Can Do Starting This Week

    Strategy 1: Have a Conversation About Financial Transparency

    Before you can build anything together, you need to know what you’re working with. This means having what might feel like an uncomfortable conversation about your complete financial picture.

    Try this: Set aside approximately two hours for a “financial transparency conversation.” Each partner should gather:

    • Current income and pay stubs
    • All debt balances and minimum payments
    • Savings and checking account balances
    • Credit scores
    • Monthly expenses

    Approach this as information gathering, not judgment. Remember, you’re on the same team now.

    Strategy 2: Create Your “Yours, Mine, and Ours” System

    One of the biggest mistakes couples make is thinking they have to choose between completely separate or completely joint finances. Many successful couples actually use a hybrid approach that maintains individual autonomy while building shared responsibility.

    Here’s how it works: Each partner contributes proportionally to shared expenses based on income, maintains individual accounts for personal spending, and builds joint savings for shared goals.

    For example: Anna makes $60,000, Tom makes $90,000. Their shared monthly expenses (rent, utilities, groceries, joint savings) total $3,000. Instead of splitting 50/50, they each contribute based on their income percentage—Anna pays $1,200 (40%) and Tom pays $1,800 (60%). This feels fair to both because it reflects their actual earning capacity.

    Starting this week: Calculate your proportional contributions to shared expenses. Determine what percentage of total household income each partner brings in, then apply that percentage to shared costs. The remaining money in your individual accounts? That’s yours to spend or save as you choose.

    Strategy 3: The Monthly Financial Check-in Ritual

    The couples who thrive financially don’t just set up systems, they maintain them. This means creating a regular time to review your finances together without it feeling like a business meeting.

    Try this: Schedule 30 minutes monthly to:

    • Review your joint budget and actual spending
    • Celebrate wins (stayed under budget, reached a savings goal)
    • Address any frustrations without blame
    • Adjust your system if something isn’t working
    • Dream together about your financial goals

    Make it a money date! Order takeout, pour wine, whatever helps you both feel relaxed and connected.

    The Truth About Managing Income Differences

    One thing that surprises many couples is how emotional income disparities can become. The higher earner might feel pressure to pay for everything, while the lower earner might feel guilty or less valued. Both responses are completely normal and both can damage your relationship if left unaddressed.

    Gottman research shows that conflict about money is rarely just about dollars and cents, it’s about the emotions, values, and dreams underneath. Couples who talk openly about how finances make them feel, not just about how to split bills, build stronger trust and partnership over time.

    Remember: your financial contribution isn’t just your paycheck. Maybe one partner handles all the budgeting and research, or takes on more household responsibilities, or brings other forms of value to the partnership. A successful financial merger honors all the ways partners contribute.

    When Money Gets Complicated

    Not everything will go smoothly, and that’s okay. What matters is how you handle the inevitable challenges:

    If one partner has significantly more debt: Approach it as a team problem to solve together, not a character flaw. Create a plan to repay debt that works for both of you.

    If spending styles clash: One person’s “necessary expense” is another’s “wasteful spending.” Consider setting individual spending allowances where neither partner has to justify purchases under a certain amount (maybe $50-100).

    If financial stress triggers old patterns: Money often brings up feelings about security, control, and worth that have nothing to do with your partner. When conversations get heated, pause and ask: “What am I really feeling right now? What do I need from you?”

    Your Path Forward

    Creating shared financial systems isn’t about losing your independence; it’s about building something stronger than either of you could create alone.

    When you’re ready, start with just one conversation this week. Pick the strategy that feels most doable right now—maybe it’s the transparency conversation, maybe it’s calculating proportional contributions, or maybe it’s simply scheduling your first monthly check-in.

    Small steps create lasting change. And every conversation you have about money is really a conversation about the life you’re building together.

    Remember: if financial conversations consistently escalate into conflict, consider working with a couples therapist who can help you navigate both the emotional and practical aspects of merging your lives. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

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    The Gottman Institute

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