Our Top 5 Books for Building a Wealthy Marriage
A question I get asked often is about what books I would recommend for couples. I love when clients want to take a proactive approach to improving themselves and their relationship, so it's a question I am always happy to answer. With summer still upon us, I wanted to share my top 5 books** so that you can snag them just in time for that end of summer vacation! Without wasting any time, let’s jump right in!
Disclosure: All of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
1. The Healthy Love & Money Way by Ed Coambs.
This is probably one of the best things I’ve read in a while as it combines attachment theory (my jam!) and money. Seriously, cannot get any better than this. Author Ed Coambs does a fantastic job of explaining what our attachment styles are and how they relate to our relationship with money. This is an interactive book with checklists and lines for jotting notes and answering questions. It’s truly a learning journal that helps couples understand the emotional side of financial management as well as their partner.
2. Mind Over Money by Dr. Brad Klontz & Dr. Ted Klontz
This father-son duo have led the field in Financial Therapy and research. This is one of many readings they’ve published but for clients it is one of my favorites. In it, they discuss in detail money disorders from financial denial, hoarding, financial infidelity, financial enabling/dependency, and more. The reader is left with a better understanding of how these seemingly un-harmful behaviors, beliefs, disorders can wreak havoc on one’s financial health.
3. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman:
Man oh man oh man. If there was ONE book that I had to chose when it came to recommendations for clients THIS IS IT. While I’m a bit of a Gottman Groupie (I made that up.), this book is hands down the most important piece of literature written for the lay public on how to do relationships well. Yes, I said what I said. If there is no other book that you purchase, make it be this one. It’s chock full of research and practical do’s and don’ts, stemming from 40 years worth of research on what makes couples last. As a head’s up, this is not a financial based book but a communication and relationship skills building book.
4. Automatic Millionaire by David Bach
A classic. Timeless. A brilliant piece of work that will guide you as a couple on how to create better money habits to set yourselves up for attaining greater wealth. The best part? You don’t have to have high earning incomes to do it! Bach shows how small simple behavioral habits and strategies can add up overtime, leaving you and your partner with true financial wealth.
5. Hold Me Tight by Dr. Sue Johnson
Last on my list but certainly not an less important. While I may be a Gottman Groupie, Johnson’s work is what I live to implement in the therapy room. She is a true genius. This book is guaranteed to help teach couples why they interact the way they do and how they can begin to shift in order to create new patterns of interactions. I highly suggest that both partners read this together if possible.
So, there you have it. My top 5. If I’m honest, it was a little difficult to narrow down all of my favorites just to 5. I’d love to hear your thoughts on any from the list above OR if you think there should be others added to this list! I’m always interested in a good read.
Cheering you on,
A
