Episode 37: A Better Way to Talk About Money with Your Partner with Brian Page
In this episode of Destress The Nest, host Hannah Morgan sits down with Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands, to explore how dual-career couples can more effectively manage money and household responsibilities as a team. Brian shares practical strategies, including the HALT method and weekly money check-ins, to reduce financial tension and strengthen relationships. He also opens up about his own financial personality and how he and his wife navigate emotional triggers around money. If you’ve ever argued with your partner about spending—or avoided the topic altogether—this episode offers a thoughtful roadmap for turning those conversations into moments of connection.
Key Takeaways
Use the HALT method (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) to avoid emotionally charged money talks.
Schedule financial conversations proactively—ideally on weekend mornings when you're rested and calm.
Transparency and regularity in financial discussions are key, especially in dual-income households.
Couples often have different financial personalities (e.g., spender vs. saver) that need understanding and accommodation.
Aligning spending decisions with long-term values can reduce stress and improve relational harmony.
Living simply and prioritizing financial independence offers more freedom and less daily overwhelm.
Quotes
“If your emotions are high, your cognition is going to be low.”
“You’re not just talking about money—you’re talking about whether you're living your life on purpose.”
“It cannot be a conversation where your kids are next to you. That’s a disaster.”
“Money is just a tool. If you’re not making spending decisions on purpose, you’re missing out on better ways to use it.”
“Living more simply and having enough money to be completely free—that’s buying yourself happiness.”
Resources Mentioned
Modern Husbands – Brian’s platform supporting dual-career couples with household and money management.
HALT Method – A communication technique for managing emotional states.
Tiller – A financial tool Brian and his wife use for budgeting and transparency.
JL Collins – Referred to as the "godfather" of the Financial Independence (FI) movement.
FIRE Movement – Financial Independence, Retire Early framework.
Subscribe & Leave a Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!
Episodes Released Weekly on Tuesdays
This episode of Destress the Nest is sponsored by Heron House Management.
About Heron House Management:
Heron House Management is a virtual house management service that takes the stress out of your busy life by taking on your mental load and managing your To Do list. We provide fractional virtual house management for busy families at 10, 15 and 20+ hours/month.
Meal planning, signing up for kids activities, scheduling doctor's appointments, finding a house cleaner, planning your kid's birthday party, getting quotes for that home renovation project, or scheduling a monthly date night with your significant other and so much more. We do it all!
