1 in 10 couples are hiding money secrets (are you? 👀)

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. But before you focus on the flowers and bouquets, ask if you have committed infidelity first.

Financial infidelity, that is. And it's quietly wrecking relationships.

P.S. If you want to talk through your own finances, you can book a free 1-hour coaching call here ☎️

Did you know that almost 1 in 10 Americans in committed relationships have kept a financial secret from their partner, according to a survey of over 2,000 adults.

And the kicker? More than 2 in 5 Americans (43%) say financial secrets are just as bad (or even worse) than physically cheating.

So what are people hiding?

Younger couples are less likely to know everything about each other's finances. Only 44% of Gen Zers say they know everything about their partner's money, compared to 64% of baby boomers. But this might be less about secrecy and more about how younger couples handle money as they are more likely to keep their finances separate.

The good news? Keeping separate accounts isn't automatically a red flag. There's a big difference between financial independence and financial secrecy.

What you can do:

✅ Have the money talk, even if it's awkward. You don't have to merge everything. Start simple: "I want an extra set of eyes on my accounts. Want to set up alerts together?" Make it a two-way street.

✅ Try the "yours, mine, and ours" method. Joint accounts for shared expenses, individual accounts for personal spending. It's one of the most popular (and sustainable) systems for couples.

✅ Schedule regular money check-ins. A monthly "money date" (even just 15 minutes over coffee) keeps you and your partner on the same page before small secrets become big ones.

Not sure how to start the money conversation with your partner? Book a free call and we can help you get on the same page.

Did you know that it takes 200 hours to become close friends with someone? Here's how to actually get there. 👇

If you set a goal on January 1st and quietly let it go by the end of the month, there’s no judgement here. A lot of people begin abandoning their resolutions between the first and second week of January.

But here's the thing: failing a goal doesn't mean you're bad at goals. It might mean you set the wrong kind of goal.

A study followed participants for a full year and found a clear pattern: people who set approach-oriented goals (goals focused on adding something positive) were significantly more successful than those who set avoidance-oriented goals (goals focused on cutting something out). The success gap? 59% vs. 47%.

In plain terms:

Your brain responds better to a clear destination than to a vague threat to avoid.

But there's another trap to watch out for. Another research found that once you start making progress toward a goal, you actually become less likely to switch to a better strategy (even when one is right in front of you).

This is especially true for goals with numbers attached (like saving a certain dollar amount or hitting a step count). Progress feels good, so we cling to our first approach even when it's not the most effective one.

How to reset your goals for February and beyond:

✅ Flip your goals from "away from" to "toward." Instead of "stop scrolling social media," try "read 20 pages of a book each night." Instead of "cut back on eating out," try "cook dinner at home four nights a week." Same intention, totally different energy.

✅ Make them specific and measurable. Vague goals like "get healthier" or "save more money" are almost impossible to stick with. Attach a number, a day, or a deadline. "Walk 30 minutes every morning, Monday through Friday" beats "exercise more" every time.

✅ Stay open to better methods. If your current approach isn't working after two weeks, give yourself permission to change it up. Progress isn't linear, and switching strategies isn't failing.

✅ Get an accountability partner. The same study found that people who received even light support were significantly more successful. Tell a friend your goal. Set up a weekly check-in. You don't need a coach, just someone who'll ask, "Hey, how's that going?"

✅ Use February as your real fresh start. January is crowded and pressure-heavy. February is quieter, and research shows that "fresh start" moments (the first of the month, a new season, even a Monday) can reset motivation.

Want help setting money goals that actually stick this time? Book a free call and we'll map out your February reset together.

Housing affordability isn't just a problem for people trying to buy a home anymore. It's now hitting people who already own one. New data shows that late-stage mortgage delinquencies (payments at least 90 days past due) rose 18.6% year-over-year in December.

The share of mortgages at that stage is still small (about 0.2%), but it's growing faster than delinquencies in any other type of consumer credit, including auto loans and credit cards.

Why is this happening? Costs have piled up across the board. Everyday purchases have jumped more than 25% since January 2020. Homeowners insurance is up over 31% in the same period. Property taxes keep climbing as home values rise. And for a lot of homeowners, especially those who bought in the last few years at high prices and high rates, the math just isn't adding up anymore.

The typical mortgage payment now eats up more than 30% of the median household income. Before the pandemic, that number was around 21%.

For it to get back to pre-pandemic levels, one of three things would need to happen: mortgage rates would need to fall to around 2.65%, median household income would need to jump 56%, or home prices would need to drop 35%. None of those are happening overnight.

What this means for you:

✅ If you own a home, build your maintenance buffer. Set aside 1–3% of your home's value each year for unexpected repairs and upkeep. If you haven't been doing this, start now. Even a small monthly contribution adds up.

✅ If you're thinking about buying, don't stretch your budget. A lot of new homeowners are already struggling. Stick to a payment that's comfortable at your current income and not one that assumes everything will go perfectly.

✅ If you're already feeling the squeeze, look at the full picture. Add up your mortgage payment, insurance, property tax, maintenance. If your total housing costs are eating more than 30% of your take-home pay, it might be time to revisit your budget and find room to breathe.

Overwhelmed by housing costs? Book a free call and we’ll take a look at your full financial picture together.

✈️ No real ID? Flying now costs $45 more. Starting Feb. 1, travelers without other accepted form of identification can still fly but they'll have to pay a $45 fee to use TSA's new ConfirmID verification system. See what you need to know »

📈 January was up for the S&P 500. History says that's a very good sign. The S&P 500 rose 1.4% in January. Over the past 40 years, when January is positive, the full-year return has averaged around 15% and the market has finished the year in the green 84% of the time. When January is negative, that average drops to just 2–3%. See what history says »

🛡️ Your older family members are prime targets for financial scams. The FBI received nearly 150,000 complaints of cyber-enabled fraud against people 60 and older last year, with close to $5 billion lost. The average victim lost around $83,000. Here are ways to help protect the seniors in your life. Read the tips »

👨‍👩‍👧 Teens and adults disagree on whether kids need a stay-at-home parent. A new Pew Research survey found that 57% of teens say kids are just as well off when both parents work, but 55% of adults say the opposite. Worth a read if you're thinking about your own family's setup. Dig into the data »