“Creating a space to have these conversations where the two of you can maintain your emotions and be very open about what your feelings are, why you want something, why you don't want something, actively listening – That’s just great practice for setting up your household finances in general.”

What happens when one spouse has their heart set on a $20,000 pop-up camper and the other isn't buying it… literally? Our hosts, Natalie and Dan Slagle, break it down in this episode of Money Dates!

Natalie's been eyeing those square campers that pop up with beds on each side, the kind her aunt, uncle, and neighbors all had growing up. For her, it's about creating family memories outdoors, now with added convenience for their daughter. Dan? He's not convinced they need to skip straight from tent to pop-up camping.

Dan didn't grow up with campers; his mind immediately jumps to practical concerns like storage and learning to back up the camper. Plus, he's been harboring his own eight-year dream of owning a camper van by age 40. Suddenly, they're navigating competing visions of adventure.

Both he and Natalie unpack their "why” and end up butting heads in the process. Natalie acknowledges that she wants Dan to be genuinely excited, not just compliant. Dan admits his "no" might really mean "not now."

They explore compromise strategies: the 30-day delay tactic to avoid buyer's remorse, creating a dedicated "camper savings" account, or scaling down expectations. Most importantly, they recognize they need to examine their actual financial plan together, not separately assume things look fine.

Conversations like these work best in neutral spaces (coffee shops beat kitchen tables), with active listening, and grounded in actual numbers. The goal isn't winning the argument but staying aligned as a team, even when dreams don’t fully align.

Key Topics:

• The Big Reveal: Natalie Wants a Pop-Up Camper (05:11)
• Dan's Resistance: Storage, Skills, and Tent Loyalty (08:40)
• Why You Need to Be Intentional About Your Conversation Environment (12:03)
• Plot Twist: Dan's Eight-Year Camper Van Dream (14:29)
• Why Numbers Matter: Looking at the Financial Plan Together (17:10)
• Compromise Strategies: Delay Tactics and Savings Goals (20:56)

At Fyooz, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals.

Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit fyoozfinancial.com.