Back when we were doing financial coaching, some of our favorite appointments were with couples who were either preparing to get engaged, already engaged, or newly married. Those were the ones taking proactive steps—getting ready for the life changes, challenges, and blessings that come with building a future together.
Looking back, I can think of several of those couples off the top of my head who are still married more than a decade later. I’d be willing to bet they’re thankful they got financial coaching early on—not just because of the financial clarity it gave them, but because of the strength it added to their relationship.
On the flip side, I also know couples who didn’t make it, and money was likely a major source of tension. Financial stress is one of the most common strains on a relationship. But it doesn’t have to be.
Getting counsel—whether it’s financial, relational, or otherwise—taps into a timeless principle: you reap what you sow.
It’s often said like this: Whatever you’re spending or investing your time, attention, talent, or money into right now is an indicator of your future outcomes. That’s not just a nice saying—it’s deeply true.
If you’re putting a disproportionate amount of focus on the things culture tells you are important—weddings, aesthetics, lifestyle, status—while neglecting the things that actually carry long-term weight—communication, trust, financial stewardship—you may find the results aren’t what you hoped for.
It’s not that these mistakes can’t be survived—Shawna and I have made it through 25 years of marriage, including some very tough financial seasons. But the road was a lot bumpier than it needed to be. There were seasons we probably could’ve navigated more wisely if we had sought counsel earlier—whether we thought we already “knew enough” or not.
So if you’re in a season of change or preparation—getting married, starting a new career, buying a home, raising kids—it’s worth asking:
What are you sowing into this season? What kind of harvest do you want to see in the years to come?
Getting wise counsel now may not feel urgent, but it might just be one of the most important investments you make.
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