Many Spouses Live In The Dark

businesswoman hiding under paper bag with dollar sign over dark background

Cullen Douglass Expert HeaderMarried couples, especially those with children, often take a “divide and conquer” approach when it comes to household responsibilities. This can range from simple jobs like yard work and home maintenance to more complex tasks like childcare and family finances. After all, there are only so many hours in a day, and these days, people find themselves busier than ever.

In our continuing series on Biggest Financial Planning Mistakes that people make, this week we focus on Mistake #2. Are you living in the dark?

Mistake #2: Spouse is in the dark

In your efforts to divide and conquer, you and your spouse have agreed that one of you will act as the family bookkeeper. Perhaps because one of you is either better with money, or more clearly understands the nuances of finance. According to Cullen Douglas a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and Wealth Management Advisor with Douglass Financial Services, this often leaves the other spouse “in the dark” when it comes to understanding what’s happening with the family finances. “More women are in the dark than men, yet women tend to be the worriers and planners,” reveals Douglass.

Douglass also points out that financial planning is not money management. “It’s the integration of everything important to you financially and emotionally,” he explains. “Our job is to take the puzzle pieces – which are the various parts of your financial make up — and link them together so the puzzle is made whole and makes sense for your family in the long run.”

In order to ensure your financial security for the long-term, you must begin now with the proper information and expert advice – from a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Cullen Douglass, CFP® and his team of professionals at Douglass Financial Services in Cool Springs has more than 60 years of combined industry experience.

“I see such relief on their face when someone other than their spouse is helping them with their financial plans,” reveals Douglass. “We are facilitators. We get everyone on the same page so they can all work toward the same goal.”

Cullen Douglass, CFP® is a Wealth Management Advisor who focuses on complete planning including risk management, investments, estate planning and insurance. Douglass Financial Services specializes in comprehensive integrated financial planning, including:

  • Ÿ Personalized Financial Planning
  • Ÿ Investment Advisory; Products & Services
  • Ÿ Trust Services
  • Ÿ Wealth Protection & Risk Management

Just moved to Tennessee? Don’t delay in learning about Tennessee’s unique state laws. It’s not worth putting your spouse or children at risk. Cullen Douglass, CFP® & Douglass Financial Services can help you successfully navigate what can be murky waters.

Whatever your situation, if you have ten minutes, give Cullen Douglass, CFP® a call and take the first step in securing your family’s financial future. Douglass Financial Services is a division of Northwestern Mutual.

Click here to learn more about Cullen Douglass, CFP® and Douglass Financial Services.

To see the first article in our series, Mistake #1: Running Out Of Money In Retirement, click here.

Check with us next week when we discuss Mistake #3 in Biggest Financial Planning Mistakes.