When we think about building wealth, it’s easy to picture numbers on a statement, bricks and mortar, or a growing investment portfolio (or even a chest full of gold!). These are the tangible milestones: savings accounts, retirement funds, real estate, and other assets we can point to and measure.
But rarely do we consider the intangible part of wealth; the conversations we have about money. And yet, it’s these conversations that often shape the path we take and determine how we feel about the journey.
One of the most meaningful patterns seen in financial planning is this: people who talk about money — with their partner, their children, their planner, even themselves — tend to feel more confident, more in control, and more at peace with their decisions.
Why? Because silence around money can be heavy.
Left unspoken, money worries can grow into misunderstandings, hidden expectations, or even conflict. Many of us carry stories about money that we’ve never questioned (ideas we inherited from family, or assumptions we picked up along the way) and without conversation, those stories quietly guide our decisions.
Many couples and families avoid talking about spending habits for years, only to discover that their goals were completely misaligned. We’ve seen adult children blindsided by an inheritance plan that was never explained. We’ve seen people sabotage their own plans because they were afraid to ask for advice.
On the other hand, when people start talking openly, even when it feels awkward at first, something shifts. Partners get on the same page. Parents pass on wisdom instead of confusion. Clients find clarity about what they really want.
These conversations don’t have to be formal or perfect. They might start with a simple question: “What does financial security mean to you?” or “If money weren’t an obstacle, what would you want your life to look like?”
And it’s not just about others — it’s also the internal dialogue we have with ourselves. Are you telling yourself you’ll never be good with money? That you don’t deserve wealth? Or that it’s selfish to prioritise your own needs? Becoming aware of these inner conversations is just as important as the ones we have with others.
Building wealth isn’t only about accumulating assets. It’s about creating understanding, alignment, and trust. And that starts with talking.
If you’d like help starting those conversations, with your family, or just to get clear on your own values and goals, let’s have that chat. Sometimes, the right conversation is the most valuable asset you can build.