Financial empowerment thrives in relationships built on trust, transparency, and shared goals. While women are already leading and shaping financial decisions in many households, some families still face gaps in communication or involvement—often not from intent, but from habit or inherited roles. Research shows that money remains one of the most common sources of stress in relationships, often rooted in a lack of mutual understanding.1
Men who tend to take the lead in managing finances have a meaningful opportunity to invite collaboration, ensure all voices are heard, and foster shared confidence in the family's financial direction. This kind of partnership is valuable not only within marriages or relationships, but also in educating younger generations such as children, grandchildren, and others in the family so that girls grow up into financially savvy and empowered women. Encouraging open financial dialogue and sharing decision-making responsibilities can build confidence, strengthen relationships, and help ensure long-term security across generations.
Here’s a practical approach to nurturing that shared understanding and building long-term financial resilience together.
Strengthening Financial Confidence Together
Building that kind of financial partnership starts with conversation. Not the kind saved for emergencies or major decisions, but regular, low-pressure check-ins where both partners can talk openly about their financial goals, habits, and concerns. These moments don’t need to be formal. What matters is consistency, mutual respect, and a genuine willingness to listen.
Trust also grows when both people can see the full picture. Key financial information like account details, investments, insurance, and estate plans should be organized and accessible to everyone involved. Whether stored digitally or in a shared folder at home, this transparency ensures that no one is left unprepared, especially in the face of unexpected changes. It signals respect and shared responsibility.
No matter how a couple divides the responsibility of managing their finances, it’s essential that either partner can step in and take full control if necessary. Life can shift quickly, and confidence in managing financial matters shouldn’t rest with just one person. Women
currently control about one-third of all retail financial assets in the United States and the EU—a share expected to grow to 40–45% by 2030.2 In families where one partner is still the primary decision-maker, helping the other partner build financial literacy and confidence isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential for long-term security and resilience.
Strengthening Families Through Financial Inclusion
Understanding each other’s strengths is part of that foundation. One person might naturally take the lead in day-to-day budgeting, while the other might focus on long-term planning or investment decisions. But even when roles are divided, both individuals should feel informed and involved. When each person’s perspective is heard and valued, it strengthens the financial partnership and deepens trust.
These habits extend beyond the couple. They influence how financial values are passed on to children and grandchildren. Open, age-appropriate conversations about money can prepare the next generation to grow up confident in their ability to manage, invest, and make decisions. When young people see financial collaboration in action, they’re more likely to model it in their own lives.3
A Team-Based Approach to Financial Planning
Meeting with your financial team as a couple reinforces the idea that both perspectives matter and that each voice has a place in shaping the future. A thoughtful advisor doesn’t just help with technical decisions. They help create clarity, build confidence, and foster meaningful conversations that align financial choices with shared values and long-term goals.
Financial empowerment isn’t just about strategy. It’s about building something together: clarity, confidence, and a sense of ownership in the future. When money becomes a conversation, not a burden, it strengthens relationships and opens the door to lasting security for the whole family.
1. Planning for the future with your partner. (2024, May 8). https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/women-talk-money/planning-with-your-partner
2. Catania, C., & Zucker, J. (2025, May 8). The new face of wealth: The rise of the female investor. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/the-new-face-of-wealth-the-rise-of-the-female-investor
3. Your spending behavior influences your children. (n.d.). MoneyEdu. https://moneyedu.iccu.com/public/featured-this-week-topic.cfm?code=ICCU&week=33&day=7&archive
The opinions and analyses expressed in the article are based on Curi RMB Capital, LLC's research and professional experience. The information and data in this article do not constitute legal, tax, accounting, investment or other professional advice. Investors should consult with their trusted professionals prior to taking any action.
The content contained herein was generated by Curi RMB Capital with the assistance of an AI-based system to augment the effort.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
