How to Talk About Money (Without It Getting Awkward)

Money is one of the most important things in our lives, yet it’s also one of the hardest things to talk about. Whether it’s splitting the check with friends, discussing salaries at work, or teaching kids about spending and saving, these conversations can feel uncomfortable—even taboo.

But avoiding money talks doesn’t make financial challenges disappear. It just makes them harder to navigate. The good news? With the right approach, you can have open, productive conversations about money—without the awkwardness.

Here’s how to make money conversations feel less stressful and more empowering, whether you’re talking with your friends or your kids:

Talking About Money with Friends & Peers

Discussing money with friends can feel tricky—no one wants to seem cheap, nosy, or judgmental. But the reality is, money impacts friendships more than we realize. Whether it’s splitting bills, planning trips, or understanding different financial realities, open conversations can actually make relationships stronger.

1. The "Let's Be Upfront" Approach (Splitting Costs Without Stress)

Example: You’re planning a group trip, and some friends are comfortable splurging while others are on a budget.

What to Say:
"Hey, I want to make sure we’re all on the same page budget-wise for this trip. Can we talk about a price range that works for everyone before we start booking?"

✅ Why it Works: This approach normalizes money discussions and makes it about fairness and clarity, not personal finances.

2. The “Transparency Builds Trust” Approach (Talking Salaries & Raises at Work)

Example: You suspect you might be underpaid, but you don’t know what your coworkers make—and asking about salaries feels awkward.

What to Say:
"I’ve been looking into salary benchmarks for my role, but real-life numbers are always more helpful. Would you be open to sharing what range you're in? I’d be happy to do the same so we can advocate for fair pay together."

✅ Why it Works: Framing it as a way to help each other removes the stigma and makes it feel like a team effort.

Talking About Money with Kids

Kids learn about money from us, whether we talk about it directly or not. Making these conversations part of everyday life helps them grow into financially confident adults.

1. The “Hands-On Learning” Approach (Teaching Kids Where Money Comes From)

Example: Your child asks, “Why can’t we just buy everything we want?”

What to Say:
"That’s a great question! Let’s play a game. Imagine you have $20 to spend for the whole week—what would you buy? And what happens when the money runs out?"

✅ Why it Works: Instead of saying “we can’t afford that,” this shifts the conversation to decision-making and trade-offs.

2. The “Let’s Save Together” Approach (Helping Kids Build Healthy Money Habits)

Example: Your child gets birthday money and wants to spend it all immediately.

What to Say:
"That’s exciting! What if we do something fun—let’s put some aside for something special later, and use some for something fun now. That way, Future You will be just as happy as Today You!"

✅ Why it Works: It introduces saving as a positive choice rather than a restriction.

Final Thoughts: Money Talk Doesn’t Have to Be Taboo

Talking about money doesn’t have to be awkward—it just takes practice. The more we have open, honest conversations, the easier it gets.

Want to hear how this works in real relationships? I recently joined the Debt Free Dad Podcast, where we dove into how couples (and anyone in a relationship) can talk about money without stress.

🎙 Listen here: Debt Free Dad Podcast - Talking About Money in Relationships

Let’s normalize money conversations and build stronger financial futures together.