152: Healthy Money Conversations
Podcast Guest: Dee Zimmerman
October 27th, 2025
Listen to the Show:
In this Episode
Money fights don’t have to sink your relationship. Money coach Dee Zimmerman shares practical, research-backed tools for healthy money conversations, financial boundaries, and weekly “money talks.” Using Gottman’s Four Horsemen as a communication lens, Dee explains how to avoid criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling, how to pause and repair mid-conversation, and how to align on a money mindset and long-term goals.
“The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the Utah Marriage Commission.”
Time Markers
00:00 – Why money strains couples
01:19 – Show mission & setup
02:18 – Dee’s path to money coaching
06:28 – Why money = emotions
08:40 – Different money histories collide
10:20 – Four Horsemen overview
12:32 – Criticism vs. complaint
13:49 – Contempt: signals and costs
15:00 – Defensiveness: catch and correct
16:58 – Stonewalling vs. timed pause
19:48 – Make money talks routine
21:55 – Easy, curiosity-first prompts
23:51 – Inviting a reluctant partner
26:42 – Timing and soft start-ups
27:34 – Mid-talk repairs that work
30:17 – Setting financial boundaries
33:42 – Tone checks on spending
35:07 – “Wealth Together” philosophy
35:45 – Money Talks Quiz styles
37:51 – Where to find Dee’s tools
40:23 – Daily connection and repair
44:16 – You can do this—start now
47:32 – Final takeaways & close
Insights
Dee's
Believe it’s possible and take action. Money friction is normal—partners bring different histories and scripts. Start with curiosity, have gentle conversations, build understanding and compassion, and connection will grow.
Liz’s
Believe it’s possible—healthy money communication can be learned. Every couple brings different financial histories, so start with curiosity and compassion to build deeper understanding and connection.
Dave’s
Intentional change takes consistent effort. Growth in marriage comes from humility, small weekly check-ins, and choosing to engage even when it’s uncomfortable. Over time, those simple, intentional actions strengthen connection and trust.
About Dee
Dee Zimmerman is a Money Coach and Strategist for Couples and the creator of Wealth Together, a year-long group coaching program that helps couples stop fighting about money and start building a financial future they’re both excited about. She helps them improve money conversations, build better habits, and set up simple systems that make managing money less stressful. Her approach combines practical financial education with Gottman’s “Four Horsemen” framework for healthy communication, giving couples tools to strengthen both their finances and their relationship.
Before becoming a financial coach, Dee spent years in ministry work, which shaped her heart for helping people grow in connection and purpose. She also contributed to the collaborative book Rethink Everything You Know About Financial Literacy for Teens.
Outside of coaching, Dee enjoys tennis, traveling, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She is also a former singer with a master’s degree in voice and opera.
Dee's Resources
https://www.dzimmermanfinance.com/
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