Most of us know that money and relationships are deeply connected. Few of us ever talk about it honestly, especially not with our partners in the room.

In this episode, Anna does something a little different. She sits down not just with one of the UK's most well regarded finance creators and financial advisors, Rotimi Merriman-Johnson, but with their partners too. Rotimi's fiancée Dora Balusa, a talented makeup artist, and Anna's own husband Simon join the conversation for one of the warmest, most honest and most revealing episodes of Money & Us yet.

Together, the four of them explore what really happens when money meets love. From navigating salary differences and financial anxiety in relationships, to whether couples should combine their finances, how to set boundaries when work bleeds into home life, and why communication about money is one of the most important things can do before you walk down the aisle.

This is the conversation most couples never have. If you're in a relationship, thinking about getting serious with someone, or simply want to understand how money really works between two people, this one is for you.

Key Moments:
• 1 in 5 Brits have considered ending their relationship over salary differences
• Why only 22% of Brits find talking about money with their partner awkward, and why that number feels surprisingly low
• How Rotimi and Dora met twice, once online and once on Hinge, and why the universe had other plans
• Why Rotimi led on money conversations from day one and how that helped Dora become more comfortable with her finances
• The case for couples therapy before the big issues arrive, not after
• Joint finances vs separate pots, and why there’s no one size fits all approach
• How two content creators manage work-life boundaries when everything is always on
• What wealth means to Rotimi and Dora, and why their answers will stay with you

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:02 Fact or Fiction: Money & Relationships
04:27 How Rotimi & Dora Met
10:42 When Should Couples Talk About Money?
14:03 Who Should Pay on the First Date?
16:09 Money, Values & Cultural Expectations
18:38 Has Modern Dating Made Relationships Harder?
23:33 Does Being a Financial Expert Change Your Relationship?
25:28 Saving for the Future vs Living Today
31:13 Managing Money When You're Self-Employed
34:11 Setting Healthy Work-Life Boundaries
41:34 Why Couples Really Argue About Money
42:16 Navigating Cultural Expectations Around Marriage
45:06 How Children Change Your Relationship With Money
58:24 Black British Wealth: The Financial Reality
01:05:58 Why Representation Around Money Matters
01:10:11 Practical Relationship Advice That Actually Works
01:12:03 Love Languages & Financial Compatibility
01:13:12 Gender Roles & Splitting Finances
01:16:13 Joint Accounts vs Separate Accounts
01:18:55 Money Systems Every Couple Should Have
01:20:31 What Does Being Wealthy Really Mean?
01:22:36 Final Thoughts

Follow Rotimi Merriman-Johnson:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrmoneyjar/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rotimimerrimanjohnson
X: https://x.com/mrmoneyjar?lang=en
Website: https://www.mrmoneyjar.com

Follow Dora Balusa:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorabmakeupartist?igsh=MXZtbDE3Z2g0dHF6aw==

Follow Simon Brading:
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simonbrading?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Follow Anna Brading:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentoramoney/?hl=en-gb
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annajoybrading/
Website: https://www.mentoramoney.com

Follow Money & Us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentoramoney/?hl=en-gb
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moneyanduspod?_r=1&_t=ZN-97TWiGIYThe
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@moneyanduspod?si=eezWMsuQ7uY4ipBP

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