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· Posted on
March 31, 2025

Mastering money in your relationships: Family (Part 1)

Talking about money in relationships can be quite challenging, so here are some tips that might help!

What's the key learning?

  • Family and money… not always a match made in heaven.
  • How to know when its time to set financial boundaries with your family

Did you know that 61% of women are more willing to talk about their own death than to discuss money with friends and family?! Yikes!

Talking about money in relationships can feel like stepping barefoot on LEGO blocks: it’s awkward, painful, and something you'd rather avoid altogether. But these conversations are important because they not only protect your finances, but also your relationships and mental health in the long term.

And there’s an even bigger challenge when you have a deep relationship with your family or feel a sense of obligation to them. Not to mention, cultural expectations can add an extra barrier to talking about money with family. 

There are many awkward money moments that can arise with family:

💰 Loan for emergencies

💰 Supporting a family member through a tough time

💰 Repaying a loan on behalf of family members

💰 Cultural expectations to pay for family members

💰 Running a family business

💰 Paying for medical bills 

However, in all these scenarios it’s important to be aware of the impact of financially supporting your family on your own personal money goals. 

It’s time for financial boundaries

If you start to feel angry, resentful, stressed or uneasy when the topic of money comes up with your family, it’s time to set some financial boundaries

Reflecting on the below questions might help you figure out how you feel and what your boundaries need to be. 

  • Is this a one-off scenario, or is this likely to be ongoing?
  • Am I confident that the money I’ve lent will be paid back?
  • What’s my comfortable limit in how much I’m able to support?
  • Is this situation urgent or can it be resolved another way / another time?
  • What is the potential emotional and financial impact on me if the money is not repaid or if expectations are not met?

Take a deep breath and give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve just taken the first step to financial self awareness!

In the next article, we’ll cover how to set financial boundaries, tips on navigating cultural expectations in money conversations, and understanding the risks of financially supporting your family.

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