Open Discussion: The Key to a Healthy Marriage

How does American football relate to marriage? Quite a bit, actually. Let me break it down…

… picture a football field. Each half is marked at 10, 20, 30, 40, and finally, 50 yards.

When the opposing team is on your 20 or 30-yard line, it’s a disaster. If they reach you’re 10, you’re in trouble.

Now, in relationships, especially marriage, I recommend spouses live at the 50-yard line. This means both are in possession of the ball.

When one person dominates, the other is shoved back to end of the field. The winning spouse has all the influence, and the other has no voice.

Dawna and I used to live this way. She was the high achiever who took ground. I was the passive husband who gave it up.

It wasn’t until I realized how suffocating it was to be on the 10-yard line that I started pushing back. I began to voice my feelings and concerns.

You see, it’s easy for spouses to just bury their emotions and contribute. But that’s a recipe for a miserable marriage.

At Prosperous Soul, we’re called to thrive!

Today, Dawna and I both live on the 50-yard line. She takes up her space, and I take up mine.

Winning looks like both parties feeling significant.

Do you want a healthy marriage? Aim for the 50-yard line.

That’s where true partnership thrives.

Hop on to our live coaching session

Join today’s meeting at 3:30 PM (CA time). Download my free handout here. I’ll see you soon!

How Much Is Enough For Retirement?

How much money do you need for retirement? According to a survey, the average American thinks they’ll need $1.46 million to escape the rate race.

What’s shocking is this desired amount has skyrocketed since 2020. Average respondents in 2024 are sitting on just $88.4k in retirement savings. That’s a bit shy of the coveted $1 million.

Now, before you panic, realize that Northwestern Mutual and Wall Street Journal are selling fear. It’s in their best interest to scare consumers into action. But the Bible is clear: “haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). So, don’t panic.

Let’s check a few conclusions. How did Northwestern researchers determine an average respondent? What was the age of those surveyed? What was their income? Did they ask young adults just out of high school? Or did they ask middle aged graduates struggling with debt?

According to the study, Boomers claim they only need $990k to support their golden years. Gen Z and Millennials estimate their needs to $1.63 and $1.65 million.

How much retirement money do you need? It depends on your age, stage in life, and financial expectations. Financial advisors and annuity salespersons have prophesied doom for DECADES. Do you have enough to retire? is like a carrot forever dangling out in front, just beyond reach.

We all pray for strong economies, righteous stewardship, and God’s blessing when it comes time to retire. But financial security isn’t just about money. It’s also a matter of the soul.

Instead of wearing yourself down with perpetual bad news, apply the biblical model:

  • Ask God for what you need (John 15:7-8). 

  • Seek advice from licensed experts (Proverbs 15:22). 

  • Stick to a sound plan (Proverbs 21:5).

  • Trust in the Lord (Philippians 4:6-7).

I’ll leave you with this quote. When a reporter asked John D. Rockefeller how much money he needed, he responded, “Just a little bit more.” If Mr. R had been a Prosperous Soul, his answer might have been, I have enough money. I just need a little bit more of God.

How To Talk About Money With Your Spouse

couple hugging picture

Do you feel like you can’t talk about money with your spouse? 

Everyone grows up believing certain ideas about money. Some grow up thinking having debt is normal. Others are raised around strict budgeting. Beliefs like these can conflict and bring 2 entirely different paradigms into the home.

When dealing with conflicts in a household’s finances, the goal is unity, not victory. When you choose unity with your spouse, you increase your strength by teaming up together. You accomplish much more than you ever could by yourself.

Here’s a simple analogy of how this works.

A draft horse is a massive, deep-chested animal that can weigh 1000s of pounds. With one of these, you can get a lot done, but when you have 2 or more, you can achieve the impossible.

I once heard a story about 2 pairs of draft horses. The first pair had a combined weight of 4800 pounds and together pulled 17,000 pounds—over 8 tons! That’s 3 and 1/2 times their weight.

The second pair had a combined weight of 3600 pounds. They were smaller but pulled 14,600 pounds—more than 4 times their weight.

That’s the synergistic power of unity. You and your spouse can replicate this when working toward a similar goal.

Don’t allow the enemy to steal your hope. The next time you face a financial disagreement, remember: go after unity. When you work together, you can achieve 3 to 4 times what you can individually. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish.