On this episode of CFO at Home, Vince talks with best-selling author and CFP professional Brian Peterson about navigating money in a blended family, where one or both partners bring children from previous relationships into a new family.
Brian explains how blended families “come together mid-story,” bringing with them their own financial histories, expectations around kids and money, and sometimes the influence of ex-spouses. Drawing from his book Blended Family Finances, they discuss why couples should understand their money beliefs, values, and shared vision before jumping into budgets and financial plans, and one of the toughest questions blended families face: how to define fairness when fairness doesn’t always mean equality.
For more on Brian and his book, Blended Family Finances: How to Talk About Money, Plan for the Future, and Build a Life You Love, go to blendedfamilyfinancial.com
00:00 Mid-Story Families
02:13 First Marriage Money Lessons
03:59 2008 Turning Point and New Career
07:07 Planning Built for Life Origins
10:39 Money Stories and Awareness
16:00 From Understanding to Intentionality
20:17 Unified Vision Before Budgeting
25:46 Blended Family Fairness Dilemmas
31:39 Resetting Finances Midstream
35:46 Book and Final Takeaways
