--- title: Can Retainer Fee-Based Financial Planning & Wealth Management Help Couples Address Money-Related Relationship Problems? description: Yes, retainer fee-based financial planning and wealth management can help set couples—or anyone for that matter—on a clearer path toward achieving their lifelong goals. image: https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/Blog/4Thought-Blog_Can-Retainer-Fee-Based-Financial-Planning-%26-Wealth-Management-Help-Couples-Address-Money-Related-Relationship-Problems.jpg --- [![4thought\_footer-logo.png](https://www.4tfg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4thought_footer-logo.png?width=335&height=101&name=4thought_footer-logo.png "4thought_footer-logo.png")](https://www.4tfg.com/) - [![4Thought Financial Group](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/4thought_footer-logo.png)](https://www.4tfg.com/) [![4Thought Financial Group Compass](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/4Though-Compass.png)](https://www.4tfg.com/) - [About 4Thought](https://www.4tfg.com/investment-methodology) - [Our Investment Methodology](https://www.4tfg.com/investment-methodology) - [Management Team](https://www.4tfg.com/management) - [In the Media](https://www.4tfg.com/media) - [Contact](https://www.4tfg.com/contact) - [Services](https://www.4tfg.com/investing) - [Private Individual Investing](https://www.4tfg.com/investing) - [SMAs for RIA /Institutional /Family Office](https://www.4tfg.com/financial-advisors-and-institutions) - [Services for CPAs](https://www.4tfg.com/cpa-investing-services) - [Private Wealth Management](https://www.4tfg.com/wealth-management) - [Retirement Plan Services](https://www.4tfg.com/retirement-plan-services) - [Resources](https://www.4tfg.com/resources) - [Financial News](https://www.4tfg.com/resources) - [Portfolio Review](https://www.4tfg.com/portfolio-review) - [Investment Performance](https://www.4tfg.com/performance-requests) - [CPA Continuing Education](https://www.4tfg.com/cpe-continuing-education) - [FAQs](https://www.4tfg.com/faq) - [FAQs](https://www.4tfg.com/faq) - [Contact](https://www.4tfg.com/contact) - Log In - [Goldman Sachs Accounts](https://custodysolutions.gs.com/client-app) - [Wealth Management](https://wealth.emaplan.com/ema/SignIn?ema) - [Consolidated Reporting](https://client.myadvisorlink.com/auth/users/webportal/4tfg) - [Retirement Plan Services](https://www.4tfg.com/rps-login) - - Log In - [Goldman Sachs Accounts](https://custodysolutions.gs.com/client-app) - [Wealth Management](https://wealth.emaplan.com/ema/SignIn?ema) - [Consolidated Reporting](https://client.myadvisorlink.com/auth/users/webportal/4tfg) - [Retirement Plan Services](https://www.4tfg.com/rps-login) ## 4Thought Investing Resources ## 4Thought Investing Resources [Financial News](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/) [Investment Strategy](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/topic/investment-strategy) [Personal Finance](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/topic/personal-investing) [Business Finance](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/topic/business-finance) [For Professionals](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/topic/financial-professionals)[Compass and Crosshairs](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/topic/compass-and-crosshairs) SUBSCRIBE Subscribe for free tips and articles to help you lead a smarter financial life. 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Yes, retainer fee-based financial planning and wealth management can help set couples—or anyone for that matter—on a clearer path toward achieving their lifelong goals. \[fa icon="calendar"\] Mar 21, 2019, 10:25:13 AM by [4Thought Financial](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/author/4thought-financial) ![Can Retainer Fee-Based Financial Planning & Wealth Management Help Couples Address Money-Related Relationship Problems?](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/Blog/4Thought-Blog_Can-Retainer-Fee-Based-Financial-Planning-%26-Wealth-Management-Help-Couples-Address-Money-Related-Relationship-Problems.jpg) Info Sheet - PDF Download [![](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/Collateral/Wealth-Management.png "Wealth Management and Financial Planning")](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/Collateral/Wealth-Management.pdf) ### **Wealth Management by 4Thought Financial Group** "The comprehensive wealth management we provide involves the coordination and execution of four different types of financial planning: Investment Planning, Estate Planning, Business Succession Planning and Fringe Benefit Planning." [View the PDF](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/Collateral/Wealth-Management.pdf) [Save the PDF](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/Collateral/Wealth-Management.pdf.zip) [*Learn more about Wealth Management and Financial Planning*](https://www.4tfg.com/wealth-management) It’s well established that finances and money-related matters can be a prime source of [disharmony within a marriage](https://institutedfa.com/Leading-Causes-Divorce/) or [relationship](https://www.today.com/money/5-smart-tips-manage-money-your-honey-wbna20108870). Understandably so. Between rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, car and health insurance, utilities and entertainment costs, retirement and/or college savings, and the daily necessary living expenses associated with home ownership, transportation, and/or children, *it can add up*. *And these are just a brief rundown of some of the known expenses; unaccounted for are those unexpected costs that inevitably arise throughout the course of life.* Consequently, employing efficient budgeting practices, sound [financial planning](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/different-types-of-financial-planning-services), and adopting appropriate spending habits are mission critical to ensure you and your loved ones live within your means, and remain on track to achieving your short- and long-term financial life goals. Doing so may [help alleviate the potential stresses and strife](https://www.forbes.com/sites/financialfinesse/2011/11/10/5-financial-mistakes-that-ruin-your-marriage-2/#9dd302aafa50) that may arise between spouses regarding a household’s [shared finances](https://www.moneyunder30.com/how-do-you-split-expenses-with-your-partner-or-spouse). ***“How do I convince my [spouse to stop spending so much money](https://www.moneycrashers.com/how-to-survive-life-with-an-overspending-spouse/)?”*** This is an all-too-common question posed by both men and women alike, and testament to the significant role money plays in facilitating—*or undermining*—marital bliss. In fact, [one analysis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3230928/) published in *Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science* concludes that when “compared to nonmoney issues, marital conflicts about money were more pervasive, problematic, and recurrent, and remained unresolved, despite including more attempts at problem solving.” There is an entire branch of therapy, known as (you guessed it) “financial therapy,” in which licensed holistic practitioners and counselors [concentrate on resolving](https://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2013/10/01/what-its-like-to-be-a-financial-therapist/#43a44c5f30f6) the foundational psychological, emotional, behavioral and relational underpinnings motivating spending behavior. Crunching the numbers on the analytical side of this equation, and utilizing several key tenets of [comprehensive wealth management](https://www.4tfg.com/wealth-management) to assess and develop efficient and effective financial strategies that can at least make the path toward sound fiscal health a bit clearer, are retainer fee-based [financial advisors](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/finding-your-financial-advisor). Thus, the financial planner and wealth management advisor [have inherently evolved into](https://www.fa-mag.com/news/here-comes-the-certified-financial-therapist-designation-38388.html) the function of so-called ‘financial therapists,’ ‘financial counselors’ and ‘budget mediators’—with some relationship advice experts actually calling for the creation of a financial plan and/or visit to a financial planner as critical steps toward a meaningful resolution. **How Can Sound Financial Planning Help Clients [Address Money-Related Relationship Problems](https://pairedlife.com/problems/How-to-Address-Money-Related-Relationship-Problems)?** A fundamental component of true, [retainer fee-based financial planning and comprehensive wealth management](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/retainer-fee-based-financial-planning-wealth-management) is the [development of a personalized fiscal roadmap](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/4thought-financial-group-wealth-management-and-investment-methodology-overview) to achieve individual and collective financial objectives. This entails getting to know the clients and the many diverse aspects of their financial—and to a degree, personal—lives, including such factors as their income, savings, and lifestyle expenses. An *independent and objective assessment* should be conducted by a third-party fiduciary acting solely in the best interests of these clients, and among other components should encompass: - Living Expense Analysis - [Cash Flow](https://www.thesimpledollar.com/personal-cash-flow-and-you/) Analysis - Recommendations for Improvement - Budgeting Having a professional act as an objective mediator can [help married couples](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferwoods/2015/07/06/10-ways-to-prevent-money-from-ruining-your-marriage/#3db309544c9c)—*or any client for that matter*—identify financial frictions and unnecessary expenditures, implement fiscally responsible strategies and efficiencies, make more informed decisions regarding their financial activities, and set them on a clearer path toward achieving their life goals—without causing the [undue emotional stress](https://couplemoney.com) often associated with such discussions between couples alone. ### **4Thought Financial Group** For more information on the above and to review budgeting and cash flow needs, please contact 4Thought Financial Group at [info@4tfg.com](mailto:info@4tfg.com) for additional information on how to best [plan for your financial future](https://www.4tfg.com/wealth-management). 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Disclaimer [Form CRS, Firm Brochure (ADV Part2), Privacy Policy Notice, and Wrap Fee Program Brochure](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/Firm_Brochure_ADV_Pt2-Privacy_Policy-Wrap_Fee_Program_Brochure.pdf) [Disclosure](https://www.4tfg.com/disclosure) [BrokerCheck](http://brokercheck.finra.org/) Investment Advisory Services are offered through 4Thought Financial Group Inc., an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The content presented here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a complete description of our investment advisory services or performance. This website is in no way a solicitation or offer to sell securities or investment advisory services except, where applicable, in states where we are registered (or notice filed) or where an exemption or exclusion from such registration exists. Information throughout this site, including, but not limited to, stock quotes, charts, articles or any other statement or statements regarding market or other financial information, is obtained from sources which we, and our suppliers believe reliable, but we do not warrant or guarantee the timeliness or accuracy of this information. Nothing on this website should be interpreted to state or imply that past results are an indication of future performance. Neither we nor our information providers shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies, regardless of cause, or the lack of timeliness of, or for any delay or interruption in the transmission thereof to the user. THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS TO ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, OR RESULTS OBTAINED FROM ANY INFORMATION POSTED ON THIS OR ANY LINKED WEBSITE. Any opinions presented here are subject to change at any time without notice. Any comments or postings are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell securities or other financial instruments. Readers should conduct their own review and exercise judgment prior to investing. Investments are not guaranteed, involve risk and may result in a loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investments are not suitable for all types of investors. \*4Thought Financial Group claims compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). GIPS® is a registered trademark of CFA Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse or promote this organization, nor does it warrant the accuracy or quality of the content contained herein. The GIPS firm definition excludes any third party asset management programs over which 4Thought maintains oversight advisory agreements on behalf of its clients, any arrangements under which 4Thought provides recommendations for client self-implementation, and any assets under advisory but not under direct management (in which 4Thought provides allocation changes or trading signals to third party firms but does not take discretion over the trading of client accounts). GIPS-compliant performance information for 4Thought's strategies may be obtained by email at [info@4tfg.com](mailto:info@4tfg.com); on the 4Thought website at [https://www.4tfg.com/performance-requests](https://www.4tfg.com/performance-requests); or by phone at (516) 300-1617. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "", "addressLocality" : "Syosset", "addressRegion" : "New York", "postalCode" : "11791", "streetAddress" : "6851 Jericho Turnpike Suite 120" }, "alternateName" : "4 Thought Financial Group", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "latitude" : "+40.8100713", "longitude" : "-73.5172286" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Yes, retainer fee-based financial planning and wealth management can help set couples—or anyone for that matter—on a clearer path toward achieving their lifelong goals.", "email" : "[GDelorenzo@ClearHorizonGroup.Com, info@4tfg.com, no-reply@4tfg.com]", "image" : "https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/4Thought-Financial-Group-OG.jpg", "logo" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2201374/4thought_header-logo.png", "naics" : "523920", "name" : "4Thought Financial Group", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/4ThoughtFinancialGroup", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/3043702", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEHRK-25mAwfTlNzdvFSN3g", "http://investment-advisors.credio.com/l/39493/4thought-Financial-Group-Inc" ], "telephone" : "516-300-1617", "url" : "http://www.4tfg.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "4Thought Financial" }, "dateModified" : "March 21, 2019, 2:25:12 PM", "datePublished" : "2019-03-21 14:25:13", "description" : "Yes, retainer fee-based financial planning and wealth management can help set couples—or anyone for that matter—on a clearer path toward achieving their lifelong goals.", "headline" : "Can Retainer Fee-Based Financial Planning & Wealth Management Help Couples Address Money-Related Relationship Problems?", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/Blog/4Thought-Blog_Can-Retainer-Fee-Based-Financial-Planning-&-Wealth-Management-Help-Couples-Address-Money-Related-Relationship-Problems.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.4tfg.com/resources/financial-planning-wealth-management-help-married-couples-money", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2201374/4thought_header-logo.png" }, "name" : "4Thought Financial Group" } } ```