Ep. #564 | How to Get on The Same Page As Your Spouse

By Jenn Pike | February 26, 2026

In this episode, Chris and I tackle two questions from our community that we see coming up time and time again: How do you create financial independence within a marriage, and how do you get on the same page with your spouse about money?

Key Topics:

The Reality for Women & Finances

  • Nearly 1 in 3 Canadian women have no individual savings outside shared household finances
  • After divorce, women’s household income drops 23% on average (vs. only 10% for men)
  • Women live 4-6 years longer than men but hold significantly less in retirement savings

Why We Need to Talk About This

  • Money is likely the #1 reason for divorce after infidelity
  • We share our own journey—from financial stress and scorekeeping to building a healthier partnership
  • The importance of viewing both partners’ contributions (including stay-at-home work valued at $150-200K/year!) as equal

Getting on the Same Page: Our Best Advice

  • Start with the numbers—listen to last week’s episode on preparing for a financial needs analysis
  • Have the uncomfortable conversation and sit with the discomfort
  • Focus on shared goals and values, not just budgets
  • Schedule regular “money dates” to stay aligned

Building Financial Independence Within Marriage

  • Why you need separate accounts AND joint accounts
  • Making sure both names are on major assets (mortgage, house deed, etc.)
  • Understanding life insurance, disability, and critical illness coverage
  • The difference between mortgage insurance and personal life insurance (this one’s huge!)
  • Creating a shared document with all your accounts and investments

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No access to financial information, logins, or passwords
  • One partner controlling 100% of the money
  • Being blocked from working or creating your own income

Action Steps:

  1. Have the conversation—even if it’s uncomfortable
  2. Get educated on basic financial literacy
  3. Consider booking a call with a financial advisor to create a plan together
  4. Make sure you both understand where all your money is and how it’s protected

Click here to listen:

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Spotify – CLICK HERE

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Have a question? Send it over to hello@jennpike.com and I’ll do my best to share helpful insights, thoughts and advice.

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