Lockdown has seen the UK population spending more time at home and having more reason to worry about money, but this hasn’t made us more willing to talk about money. Having these conversations can have a positive impact on our closest relationships. Use the Money Helper guides to help you start a conversation with your friends, partner, relatives and children.
Five tips to help you get started:
Create a comfortable setting: You might feel more at ease chatting over a cup of tea, as you go for a walk or at your kitchen table so you can lay out any paperwork. Try to minimise interruptions; put phones on silent.
Prepare how you’re going to kick it off: Sometimes the hardest part of having a conversation is knowing how to start. Once you’re past the first few seconds, you might be surprised by how easily the conversation flows. If you see a news bulletin relevant to your situation, use this as a springboard to initiate a conversation – it’s a useful way to break the ice and to remember that many people are in the same boat right now.
Listen as well as talk: Try to make sure you go into the discussion with an open mind, being prepared to take in the other person’s point
of view. Hearing one another’s standpoint in a respectful way can make the difference between having a constructive conversation versus an unproductive argument.
Check in with friends and family: Once you’ve made the first step to opening up about your financial worries, you can help others to do the same. Never force someone into a conversation as they’ll only be defensive, but do remind them you’re here to chat if they need support.
Choose who you open up to: Try not to have preconceptions about whom you should have these conversations with. You might find it
easier to speak to someone who may not be directly impacted by your money worries, like a friend or professional.
Join the conversation #TalkMoney week 8-12th November
Use our Wave Money Guide quick quizzes to see what your attitude is towards money.
