
Welcome to Pathways to Prosperity!
Check out the welcome video for more info about the course.
For each video lesson in the course, I'll be attaching audio transcripts.
Let me know if I can offer any additional support!
~Adam Kol, The Couples Financial Coach
Adam@AHKCoaching.com
Please watch this video and then complete the "Your Money & Relationship Story" activity in your workbook by writing and drawing your thoughts.
Note: There are 4 parts to this exercise. You should complete all 4 now (i.e. as part of Module 1).
Take your time with it. You may have new insights around Your Money & Relationships Story throughout the course, as well!
For now, you don't need to discuss it with your partner.
Check out this video about our 1st communication skill, Open-Ended Questions!
Check out the Module 1 Presentation! You can also download the slides and video transcript below.
The 4 Essentials
This exercise will help you get a clear picture of your current financial situation. That will form the foundation for the plans you will be putting together to achieve your most important goals!
Here are the directions:
Download the attached Financial Master Spreadsheet, and open it in in your preferred software (i.e. Google Drive, Excel, Numbers).
Watch the attached video for instructions and explanations on how to use the spreadsheet. There are also instructions within the spreadsheet itself.
Use the spreadsheet to manually enter and calculate your expenses for the last two months; there is a tab for each month.
Be sure to read the explanation of Credit Scores in the "Assets" tab, as this topic is not addressed in the accompanying video.
Note: If you receive any pre-tax benefits (AKA fringe benefits) from your job or business, i.e. health insurance or transportation, note those in your "Income" tab, but below the other income items. Especially because of income tax-related complexity, it's easiest to not count them directly as income right now, even though you benefit from them.
Note: if you'd like to add more months to track via the spreadsheet, simply right click (or equivalent) on the "Expenses" tab, and then click "Duplicate."
I Statements
Please watch the attached video on I Statements, also known as Impact Statements. This is a powerful method for communicating and sorting through your thoughts and feelings.
The basic structure is as follows:
I feel ["X" emotions]...
When ["Y" happens/we do "Y"]...
Because ["Z" reasons, values, needs]
Practice using this tool as you go through your activities and in your everyday life, as well!
Unhealthy Money Talks: The Cycle
Please watch the attached video and review the page in your workbook called "The Cycle."
Reflect on what resonates with you (or not) and why, and then journal about it (i.e. write down your thoughts in a "stream of consciousness" style).
Check out the Module 2 Presentation! You can also download the slides and video transcript below.
Watch the attached video for directions on completing The Future exercise in your workbook, starting on page 26.
Each of you should complete this exercise individually.
Then, share your answers with your partner.
Practice reflection and summarization (see lesson below) to ensure that you are understanding your partner.
Please watch this video and completed the associated exercise in your workbook, "Your Financial Priorities."
NOTE: the video says it's in Module 4; please disregard that!
Please review the video about this week's communication skills, Reflection & Summarization. Start using it while discussing your future and financial priorities with your partner!
Check out the Module 3 Presentation! You can also download the slides and video transcript below.
Check out this video, and then complete the 4 Expense Categories exercise in your workbook. Each of you should complete this individually, and then share your results with each other.
Check out this video for directions on filling in the "Debts" tab in your Financial Master Spreadsheet.
Note: The videos' second half talks about the "Wants & Costs" tab on the Financial Master Spreadsheet. That activity is actually in the next module, i.e. Module 5: Account Structures.
Feel free to use this video's relevant parts + the Module 5 video lesson titled "Wants & Costs" to help you fill out the "Wants & Costs."
Please review the video about this week's communication skill, Validation/Empathy, and start using it in your relationship and your life!
Check out the Module 4 Presentation! You can also download the slides and video transcript below.
Check out this video explaining how to complete and use the "Wants & Costs" tab in your spreadsheet.
Note: There's more info about this activity in the second half of the video in Module 4 within the lesson called "Debts Tab in Your Financial Master Spreadsheet." Feel free to use that along with this video to help in filling out the "Wants & Costs" tab!
Check out this short video about the Account Structures activity in your workbook.
Check out the video about this module's communication skills/tools: Acknowledgment, Responsibility, and the Communication REmodel.
Be sure to check out the Communication REmodel graphic in your workbook, as well!
Check out the Module 5 Presentation! You can also download the slides and video transcript below.
Watch this video for some additional guidance about the Creating & Protecting Your Future activities in your workbook.
Check out this video for some additional explanation of the Essential Money Conversation Checklist in your workbook.
This video will help you and your partner complete the "Financial Plan" tab on your Financial Master Spreadsheet together. This may be the most exciting part of the course, so enjoy it!
In the resources, you can find an image of a example Financial Plan based off of the one in the Financial Master Spreadsheet but with a bit more detail.
Check out this video explaining this module's communication skills -- Stories & Interpretations.
Check out the Module 6 Presentation! You can also download the slides and transcript below.
Check out this video about how to complete the "Sharing Financial Roles" activity in your workbook!
Check out this video for suggestions & prompts for deciding how (logistically/emotionally) you can effectively execute the plan that you've created in this program!
Check out the video about this module's communication skill/tool: Boundaries. This is perhaps the most challenging one in the program, but it also has transformative potential!
Check out the Module 7 Presentation! You can also download the slides and video transcript below.
Money is and always has been a top cause of stress, fighting, and divorce, and the challenges of a pandemic have only worsened things.
You may be feeling overwhelmed by it all, avoiding it, or even fighting about money.
If so, you're not alone -- money is the #1 relationship stressor and a top cause of divorce.
But it can go a different way. In fact, I've committed my career to making that happen, and now I've put everything I've learned into this course so that you can get the kinds of results my clients have been getting:
- Going from the verge of divorce to being best friends again
- Buying dream homes, paying off homes, and purchasing second homes to build generational wealth
- Negotiating raises
- Paying off 5 figures of credit card debt...and much more!
Bottom Line: If you want financial clarity, stability, peace of mind, and partnership...then you're in the right place!
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What You Will Get
- Everything you need to overcome financial overwhelm and get clarity and confidence around your money
- The skills and knowledge to transform your money mindset & habits so that you can build a stable and secure financial future - even in the midst of a pandemic
- Customizable tools for easily tracking spending, prioritizing debts, and more
- All the key skills and tools you need to have healthy money talks (this will give you a stronger, more intimate relationship overall, too!)
- A Financial Prosperity Plan that honors both your individual AND shared goals
Why It Matters
Many couples never get on the same page about finances, and it costs them intimacy, partnership, money, and sometimes the relationship itself.
If you could save several years of struggle, anxiety, and resentment, and replace it with more love, teamwork, and money, would that be worth it to you?
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You'll learn and apply the exact same concepts that Adam uses to get client results like these:
Adam helped us through our salary negotiations, which resulted in raises for each of us, with a combined gross salary increase of over 20% per year -- and in my case, a promotion as well -- with our current employers.
More importantly, Adam helped get us on the same page as a couple when it came to our financial goals and money mindset.
Adam is a former tax attorney, certified mediator, and life coach with a compassionate and non-judgmental communication style.
I highly recommend him to couples seeking financial clarity and peace of mind.
Patricia and Jonathan, Professionals & Parents of 2
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This is for couples who:
- Struggle to manage money together and/or have healthy money conversations
- May not know where to start but are ready to get on the same page about money once and for all
- Desire more financial clarity, stability, intimacy, and peace of mind!
- Want the ability to execute on their long-term vision and goals
This is not for couples who:
X - Want a magic bullet, overnight fix, or financial plan simply handed to them
X - Prefer to make financial decisions + plans completely separately
X - Are unwilling to work on improving communication + opening up to each other
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What's Included
Module 1) Your Money & Relationships Story (the key to self-awareness)
Module 2) The 4 Essentials (you must know these to make any real progress)
Module 3) Your Future and Your Top Priorities (individually and together)
Module 4) Values-Based Budgeting
Module 5) Accounts: Joint, Separate, or Mixed (this one's not what you think!)
Module 6) Create and Protect Your Future: Family, Retirement, Insurance & Legacy
Module 7) Sustaining Your Progress: Roles, Structures, and Ongoing Education (how to make your plan really stick)
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Each Module Contains:
-- Videos detailing essential financial concepts & knowledge
-- Written activities to help you get clarity around your money mindset, your partner, your finances, and your future
-- A supplemental presentation packed with powerful, experiential exercises to help you create financial intimacy and get on the same page
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FAQs:
THIS SOUNDS GREAT, BUT HOW DO I GET MY PARTNER ON BOARD?
Try this model to get the conversation started: "I've been thinking about our finances lately and feeling [nervous, uncertain, etc.]. I think we could [share goals that excited both of you] even more effectively if we got on the same page. When's a good time to talk about this more?" From there, you can share about this program.
HOW MUCH TIME WILL THIS TAKE?
The program consists of 7 modules designed to be completed over 12 weeks. While the time needed varies, expect for each module around 15-45 minutes between activities and videos. (Module 2 may take more.) Beyond that, it's up to you how much time you dedicate to practicing and implementing these tools, skills, and concepts.
DO I NEED TO UNDERSTAND PERSONAL FINANCE TO DO THIS PROGRAM?
Nope! Whatever knowledge you bring is great, and also I'll show you everything you need to know from the ground up!
2% of all revenues are donated to an organization supporting domestic abuse survivors, as financial abuse co-occurs 99% of the time with domestic abuse.
For any questions, don't hesitate to message me. I wish you the best of luck in the program, and more importantly with your relationship, your finances, and your life!