How to Talk About Money with Friends and Family

Talking about money is often treated as taboo. In many families it sits somewhere between politics and religion on the “topics to avoid” list.

But if you’ve read any of my content, you know I think money is too important not to talk about.

Growing up in a family full of accountants, money conversations were pretty normal at the dinner table. We talked about saving, taxes, retirement accounts, and smart spending habits. At the time I didn’t think much of it — but looking back, those conversations helped shape how comfortable I am discussing money today.

And that comfort has real value.

You Don’t Have to Share Everything

Talking about money doesn’t mean you need to share every detail of your financial life. You don’t have to disclose your salary, net worth, or account balances.

But there are plenty of healthy, useful money conversations that don’t involve private details.

Here are a few simple topics that can spark good discussions:

• Where do you go when you want to learn about money or investing?
• Does your job offer a retirement plan? Do they match contributions?
• Do you use a credit card, and do you understand the rewards and risks?
• Do you check your credit score? If so, how?
• What are your thoughts on investing? Index funds? Crypto?
• Have you ever used a budgeting or expense tracking app?
• What financial habits helped you the most in your 20s or 30s?
• Are there any money mistakes you wish you avoided earlier?

You might be surprised how much you can learn from a casual conversation.

Be Open-Minded — But Stay Thoughtful

At the same time, it’s important to stay open-minded and cautious.

Just because a trusted friend or family member shares an investment idea or strategy that works for them doesn’t automatically mean it’s right for you.

Everyone’s situation is different.
Your goals, timeline, income, and risk tolerance all matter.

Think of these conversations as idea sharing, not instructions.

Sometimes the best outcome isn’t copying someone’s strategy — it’s learning enough to ask better questions or research something on your own.

Your Financial Circle Matters

There’s a popular saying that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

That idea probably applies to money habits too.

Your financial literacy, confidence, and decision-making may be influenced by the people around you. If your friends and family talk about investing, saving, and planning for the future, those topics become more normal.

If they never come up, money can stay confusing or intimidating.

But the good news is you don’t need to be the expert in the room. Sometimes learning together is the best approach.

Did your sibling just start a new job and need to enroll in their retirement plan? Maybe the two of you can sit down together and review the investment options.

You can also seek out a paid financial advisor or coach — I'll have an article about this in the future.

A Simple Challenge

Here’s a challenge for you.

If there’s a money topic you’ve been curious about — something you’ve wanted to understand better — reach out to a friend or family member and ask what they think.

Start the conversation.

You might learn something helpful, or you might simply realize that you're not the only one trying to figure it out.

And of course, if you ever want to talk through a money topic or question, feel free to reach out to me. I always enjoy hearing what people are thinking about and learning more about the financial questions people are trying to solve.