Money conversation
starters guide
A practical guide to talking about what money really means to you
- 'Having money in the bank helps me breathe easier'
- 'Financial stability gives me a sense of control over my life'
- 'I feel protected and able to handle whatever comes'
- 'Money represents peace of mind more than anything else'
These prompts are designed to help you start conversations about money emotions that matter, with clarity, honesty, and without shame. It’s worth noting that these prompts are just to help you get started, and there may be other points that you want to ask and raise – this is up to you, and whatever you feel comfortable sharing.
You can use them in conversations with a partner or loved ones, or simply as journal prompts for personal reflection.
In conversation with a partner or loved one:
- 'Financial security is really important to me. Can we talk about what that means for both of us and how we build it together?'
- 'I feel secure now, but I want to protect that feeling. Can we create a plan that keeps us stable long-term?'
- 'Security means different things to us. How do we honour both of our needs?'
- 'I feel safe when (we have X in savings/we're debt-free/we have a plan). Can we make that a shared goal?'
- 'I need to feel secure in retirement. What does that actually require in real terms, and how do I get there?'
Solo reflection:
- 'What does financial security actually mean to me, not what I've been told it should mean?'
- 'Do I feel secure right now? If not, what specific thing would make me feel 10% more secure?'
- 'What am I protecting by prioritising security, and is that still serving me?'
- 'If I felt completely secure, how would I live differently?'
- 'What's the difference between security and control, and which am I really seeking?'