On this episode of CFO at Home, Vince talks with Raffi Bilek, a marriage counselor and author of The Couples Communication Handbook: The Skills You Never Learned for the Marriage You Always Wanted. Vince and Ravi discuss why money is a top source of marital conflict and why financial disagreements are often a symptom of deeper issues like anxiety, resentment, or control. Raffi explains his process for helping couples move through conflict by slowing down, taking turns, identifying underlying feelings, practicing empathy, and exploring each partner’s “money story,” so they can stay connected even without full agreement. Vince and Ravi also discuss how solutions should address both partners’ needs (e.g., security vs. autonomy), and why separate finances can sometimes signal a lack of trust. For more on Raffi and The Couples Communication Handbook, go to thecommunicationbook.com
00:00 Money Fights Intro
01:06 Finances and Marital Disagreements
03:59 When Money Is A Symptom
07:18 Therapy Process Explained
09:21 Money Stories Matter
11:44 Building Shared Solutions
14:41 Control And Trauma Example
18:27 Teaching Couples Skills
21:43 Joint Vs Separate Accounts
25:53 Parting Advice For Couples
27:23 Book And Resources
28:19 Final Thanks And Wrap
