Ramit Sethi argues that a couple must establish clear expectations and demonstrate shared financial responsibility before deciding to combine their finances.

“You two have not earned the trust to combine your finances. This is not a functioning relationship with money right now.”

Forest believes that his marriage requires Kathleen to be an active, participating partner in their financial decisions to avoid the stress and failure of managing it alone.

“Kathleen is now fully engaged with our finances. Before meeting with you, I felt like it was all on my shoulders. I knew we were spending too much and being irresponsible with our debt accumulation, not saving for the future, but I needed some help writing the ship, so to speak.”

Combining finances requires a level of trust and accountability that she believes is essential for their partnership.

“I think combining them makes you accountable to one another um in a different way.”