Back in January, we sat down with Alex Marukos to learn more about Moneyskope, a Conshohocken-based financial coaching business he started in 2021 to help people pay down debt, build savings, and more. Now he’s recently published a guidebook called Wealthy Together that helps couples get started on their financial journey. We sat down with him again to learn about the guidebook, why he wrote it, and why it is an indispensable resource for couples looking to establish a strong financial foundation.
Your new financial guidebook, Wealthy Together, just launched. What inspired you to write it?
Many couples struggle with money. Think about it: each person comes into the relationship with different goals, different habits, different backgrounds. So, it’s not unusual that financial conflict arises. And when couples can’t align on matters surrounding money, goals don’t get accomplished and resentment can build. And research proves that financial conflict is destructive. A study in the Family Relationships Journal shows that financial disagreements are a primary predictor of divorce.1 And per a TD bank survey, 40% of millennial couples argue about money once a week.2 Therefore, I wanted to provide a very concise yet practical guide that inspires and motivates couples to successfully establish the basic foundational framework. That way, they can successfully tackle financial challenges as a team and move towards building a strong and healthy relationship.
How is the guidebook organized? And why are you calling it a guidebook?
The guidebook is broken down into three sections: communication, financial health, and financial goals. Each section is followed by a hands-on exercise and the sections represent the foundational building blocks of a strong financial future. I call it a guidebook because it’s only twenty pages, but those twenty pages are jam-packed with highly impactful yet digestible content, along with practical hands-on exercises.
Are there any couples in particular that Wealthy Together is written for?
Oh, it’s appropriate for all couples. But I think it’s especially important for couples who are beginning to have serious financial conversations as well as those who are looking to refresh their financial relationship.
Can you share a success story from your clients that inspired parts of the book?
Sure thing! One story that comes to mind is a couple that came to me because they could never get on the same page with their financial goals. By using many of the techniques in the book such as having them share their financial backgrounds with one another, I was able to get them to a place where they could be transparent and honest in their communications. Then when it came time to set goals and reflect, they realized that they had nearly the same goals – they just kept talking past each other beforehand. From there, they crafted a very targeted list of goals that was right for both of them and have been working towards them ever since.
What makes this guidebook different from all the other financial literature out there?
It’s one of the only financial resources for couples that packs a punch in only a handful of pages. Not only is it simple and concise but the content is backed by research. Oh, and it contains several impactful exercises that make the learnings very applicable.
What’s the most important takeaway you hope couples get from Wealthy Together?
At the end of the day, I want couples to realize that by focusing on three key pillars – communication, financial health, and goals – achieving financial success is a matter of when, not if. When couples support each other and work as a team, there’s nothing that can get in the way of what they want to accomplish.
Thank you for sharing. It sounds like a great place for couples to start their financial journey. Where can our readers get a copy of Wealthy Together and how much does it cost?
It’s available in PDF and EPUB formats via the Moneyskope website. The order also comes with a free exercise template that can be used for one of the exercises. And all of that for only $7.99. I’m really excited for couples to start their financial journey together with this guidebook.
Sources
1Dew, J., Britt, S., & Huston, S. (2012). Examining the Relationship Between Financial Issues and Divorce. Family Relations, 61(4), 615–628. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23324469
2“2019 Love and Money Survey.” TD Stories, TD Bank, https://stories.td.com/us/en/article/2019-love-money-survey
