“The irony of life is that when you’re living it, you don’t understand a lot of what’s happening. You can’t join the dots in real time. Life has to be lived forward—but it’s only understood looking backward.”
This truth struck me deeply during a financial planning session with a couple from Pune. They had been married for 11 years, built successful careers, bought a house, had two lovely daughters—but were still feeling stuck.
They weren’t stuck financially. They had enough. They were stuck emotionally. She felt unheard when it came to money decisions. He felt burdened by responsibilities. They had never paused to align their definition of happiness.
That’s when I realised that as couples, we often plan our money separately from our happiness.
But what if both were meant to be planned together?
In this article, let me walk you through five powerful strategies that I have seen work wonders for Indian couples—entrepreneurs, salaried professionals, retirees, and even second-marriage families.
1. Start with the Emotional Why—not the Financial How
One of the most common patterns I see among couples is they jump straight to spreadsheets, investments, EMIs, SIPs, and tax-saving instruments. But money is not just numbers. It is emotional energy.
Take the case of Rajiv and Sneha from Gurugram. Rajiv wanted to invest in stocks. Sneha wanted to pay off the car loan early. Both were technically “right”—but emotionally unaligned.
When we explored their why, it turned out Rajiv wanted freedom to take a sabbatical someday. Sneha wanted security to avoid borrowing from family in an emergency.
Once they understood their emotional drivers, they could create a financial plan that respected both needs.
Strategy 1: Ask each other—“What does financial freedom mean to you emotionally?” Then plan accordingly.
2. Build a Couple Vision Board—Not Just a Household Budget
Most couples prepare an Excel sheet for monthly expenses, which is great. But what about your dreams? Do you have a shared visual of your goals—the hill station home, sabbatical year, startup fund, kids’ education?
In my Couple Finance Formula™, I help couples create what I call a Joint Vision Board—a collage of images and aspirations that define their shared future. This visual exercise brings fun, love, and imagination into financial planning.
A couple from Mumbai made their vision board with Post-its and stuck it above their kitchen sink. Today, they say that one sheet of paper stopped 80% of their money fights.
Also read: How to Attract More Money and Achieve Financial Freedom with a Powerful Mindset
Strategy 2: Plan your happiness goals with the same seriousness you plan your SIPs. Make them visual, emotional, and inspiring.
3. Talk About Money—Before Money Talks About You
Avoidance is expensive.
Many couples avoid money conversations. One assumes the other is “handling it.” Until one day, a loan gets rejected, a health claim is denied, or a business loss impacts both.
I remember coaching Ayesha, a single mother who realised after her divorce that she had no idea about her mutual funds, nominee details, or insurance. Her husband had handled everything.
She told me: “Had we spoken more about money while we were together, maybe we’d have been more aligned emotionally too.”
Don’t wait for a crisis to force a conversation.
Strategy 3: Schedule a “Money & Happiness Talk” once every month. Sit down with chai, no judgments, just openness.
4. Combine Strategy + Sensitivity in Financial Roles
In every couple, there’s often a planner and a spender. A saver and a dreamer. A risk-taker and a play-safe partner.
This is natural.
What isn’t natural is letting these differences lead to judgment or resentment.
In my coaching programs, I guide couples to assign roles consciously—the planner, the tracker, the goal-setter—but with equal respect and shared accountability.
Think of it like a cricket match. You need both the batsman and the wicketkeeper. And when both know their roles, the team wins.
Strategy 4: Acknowledge your different money personalities. Create a game plan that plays to both your strengths.
5. Live Today—but Plan Like You’re Living Forever
Here’s the paradox I often share:
“Plan your money like you’ll live forever. Spend your time like you could be gone tomorrow.”
This mindset transforms couples.
Planning together doesn’t mean sacrificing today. It means designing a life where you can travel today and retire well tomorrow. It means balancing present joy with future security.
One couple I coached built a system where 40% of income went to long-term goals, 30% to monthly living, 20% to lifestyle splurges, and 10% to giving. They called it the Richness Split.
Today, they live fully. But they’re also on track to retire early at 52.
Strategy 5: Build systems for wealth creation that free you to enjoy the present—not stress about it.
Final Reflection: Looking Back to Look Forward
In hindsight, every couple I’ve coached realises that their happiest years were not the richest years—but the aligned years.
The years when they walked hand-in-hand with a common money purpose.
When they stopped thinking “me vs. you” and started thinking “us vs. the future.”
So if you’re reading this—pause. Reflect.
What does “money and happiness” look like for both of you?
Let’s plan not just for returns, but for richness—in experiences, in peace, and in love.
Summary: 5 Strategies for Couples to Align Money and Happiness
Strategy Action
1. Emotional Why First Ask your partner what financial freedom feels like to them.
2. Create a Joint Vision Board Visualise dreams together—don’t just budget.
3. Talk Monthly Regular “Money and Happiness” chats over tea.
4. Assign Roles Consciously Respect differences in money personalities.
5. Build a Richness Split Balance joy today with wealth tomorrow.
Let’s Connect
If you’re ready to align your marriage, money, and meaning—then I invite you to begin your journey with me.
Join my live webinar and learn how to implement the Couple Finance Formula™ in your life today.
Register FREE now: www.CoupleFinanceFormula.in
Taresh Bhatia, CFP®
Founder – The Richness Academy
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The author of this article, Taresh Bhatia, is a Certified Financial Planner® and advocate for female empowerment. For more information and personalized financial guidance, please contact taresh@tareshbhatia.com
He has authored an Amazon best seller-“The Richness Principles”. He is the Coach and founder of The Richness Academy, an online coaching courses forum. This article serves educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consultation with a qualified financial professional is recommended before making any investment decisions. An educational purpose article only and not any advice whatsoever.
©️2025: All Rights Reserved. Taresh Bhatia. Certified Financial Planner®
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