In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family podcast, Don and Suzanne tackle one of the most tension-filled topics in marriage: money.

After 35 years of marriage, they openly share how finances were one of the biggest sources of misunderstanding and conflict in their relationship — not because of bad intentions, but because they came into marriage with completely different money mindsets.

Don, a CPA with a master’s in tax accounting, approached finances with structure, planning, and spreadsheets. Suzanne, a self-described free spirit, had never balanced a checkbook before marriage and associated financial control with painful childhood memories. What one saw as responsibility, the other experienced as restriction. What one saw as freedom, the other interpreted as carelessness.

The result? Decades of miscommunication, avoidance, and tension around money.

In this honest and practical conversation, they unpack:

• How early money misunderstandings created distance in their marriage
• Why systems like strict budgeting and cash envelopes didn’t work for their personalities
• The importance of building a financial system that fits both spouses
• How generosity — especially tithing — changed their posture toward money
• A simple “10-10 rule” concept: 10% giving, 10% saving, live on the rest
• The importance of aligning spending with shared family values
• Why discussing money before it’s spent prevents conflict later
• The danger of credit card debt and the power of tackling it together
• How hiring a financial coach became a turning point in their communication

They also reflect on how their financial journey shaped their children — and how today their married kids are handling money in healthier, more unified ways because they learned from their parents’ mistakes.

But through communication, generosity, flexibility, and faith, money can shift from a source of contention to a tool for unity and blessing.

If you are in a season where finances feel tense, tight, or divisive — you are not alone. There is hope. The best is still ahead.

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
• Give us a review!
• Money Deep Dive
• MoneySavingMom - podcast from earlier this month and a great resource!

Episode 330 is a fun, practical, and faith-filled conversation as Suzanne sits down with Crystal Paine (MoneySavingMom.com) to help families approach money, time, and motherhood with wisdom and peace.

Crystal—mom of six (from almost 21 to age 3), writer, speaker, podcaster, and CEO of a small team—shares how her family learned to live intentionally and stay out of debt during law school by getting creative with groceries, simplifying, and focusing on what actually works in real life. She breaks down why saving money doesn’t have to mean clipping paper coupons (hello, digital deals!) and introduces a powerful mindset shift: time is money—so any “money-saving” habit should be worth the time it takes.

You’ll hear practical, step-by-step encouragement for overwhelmed moms, including why menu planning is the best first step (before trying to overhaul a budget), how to set a realistic grocery budget, and how to make slow, steady progress without stress. Crystal also explains why learning money systems can feel like learning a foreign language—and why starting small is the key to long-term success.

The conversation goes deeper as Crystal shares her parenting journey through a hard season, how God reshaped her heart, and the story of foster care, adoption, and unexpected pregnancies that changed everything. She reminds listeners that the foundation for home management isn’t hustle—it’s starting with prayer, trusting God with the day, and letting Him multiply what we don’t have.

Crystal leaves families with one central takeaway: Emmanuel—God with us. You don’t have to white-knuckle life alone. God is present, powerful, and faithful in the details.

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
• Give us a review!
• MoneySavingMom

In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, we sit down with McKenzie (our 4th daughter) to introduce the marriage Deep Dive “Fostering Love in Your Marriage.” She has been married for 4 1/2 years and has two tiny, beautiful daughters.

Together they unpack why the word fostering matters — nurturing, cultivating, and fighting toward something good — and why so many couples drift into fighting against each other instead of fighting for their relationship. Suz and Kenz talk about how marriage can become a “back burner” once kids arrive, but why it’s worth prioritizing again because children can feel unity and disunity in the home.

The conversation centers on returning to what God says about love and marriage, using Scripture as the anchor rather than relying only on the world’s tools. They also share practical rhythms couples can start using right away, including making time, practicing honesty, doing regular check-ins, and choosing to love with intentionality.

If you are looking for a way to invest in your marriage this month, this is the podcast for you. Listen and share with a friend, today!

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
• Give us a review!