This Budget Idea Might Change Everything

The Spark (by Hunter at Show Her Off Dance).

Connecting Conversations

Sometimes a great question is all you need to start a meaningful conversation :)

This weekend, try asking your significant other:

• What’s one of the most fun things we’ve done in the last month?

• What food would you say is the most significant to our relationship?

• What part of my heart do you wish you could heal?

A fellow Spark reader, Pratt shared:

“I always am so excited when I get the emails!! My wife and I have some time in the car together with google maps being our ONLY distraction and have some pretty amazing convos!”

Love reading that :) . Do you have any wins to share? I’d love to hear!

Links that May Spark Something

The Single Greatest Skill You Can Develop in Life (Hormozi)

The Best Marriage Advice We’ve Ever Received (Crossroads Church)

New Simple Changes To Slow Aging & Boost Brainpower (Dr. Rhonda Patrick)

10 Ways to Bring Back the Passion in Your Marriage (Gottman Institute)

A Fun + Unique Way to Prioritize Each Other

I think budgeting is a great tool to maintain awareness of our spending.

Where money goes, energy flows.

But there is often a very important element left out.

Generally you have categories - groceries, gas, eating out, rent/mortgage etc.

But where is the RELATIONSHIP / US category?

Yes of course sometimes eating out, shows etc end up being date nights - but I don't think that's the same as intentionally setting a relationship category in your budget - ie 'each month we are going to invest $250 in US’.

The dollar amount is irrelevant, it will be higher or lower for couples based on their income, but the intentionality is what's key.

Starting off each month with "Hey we've got XYZ dollars to invest in US! What do we want to do or experience together this month using that money?" is a very different mindset than 'how much do we have left in our dining out category?'

Considering that satisfying romantic relationships are linked to increased life satisfaction, improved physical and mental health, and even a longer lifespan - why not invest in that for each other?

With August right around the corner this weekend is a great time to discuss this together and 'test' it for a month.

Determine a dollar amount to invest in your relationship together, then yay now the fun of game of oh la la where do we want to use the money this month to bring us joy and quality time together? The key is this category can only be used on you two + enriching your relationship.

Or an even stronger question: how can we best spend this xyz amount to bring us the most joy & closeness together?

It would also be fun to come up with your own category name, could be as simple as 'us', 'our joy', 'love' or ‘tru wuuuuuvv’ haha. Pick something fun that inspires you both :)

Let it sit on your brains for a couple days, you might be surprised with what it cooks up with when given time to marinate!