The Heart of Money: A Couple's Guide to Creating True Financial Intimacy
Complex behaviors govern our singular and coupled attitudes toward money today. Forget that we’re in one of the longest and deepest recessions in the country’s history. Focus instead on what dollars mean to you and your partner. Price (Money Magic, 2003) admits it’s one of the trickiest topics around. After all, if you don’t admit to yourself that your money relationship is somewhat askew, it’s even more difficult to discuss that with your partner. She makes that conversation somewhat easier through a series of exercises (e.g., How would you describe money if it were your lover? Determine your enough or how much money you need), a typology of eight different money personalities, from innocent and warrior to tyrant and magician, and ways to respond to subjects like incurring debt, spending versus saving, and mingling finances (or not). The book concentrates on the psychology of understanding inherited patterns and the best responses to continue an open dialogue, with a few pragmatic tips thrown in. With more than 50 percent of today’s divorces caused by the almighty dollar, Price gives much to think about. --Barbara Jacobs