How Entrepreneurial Couples Can Manage Spending

Jun 18, 2025

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Learn from a real, honest (and pretty funny) conversation about how couples—specifically the “chicks” and “dudes”—spend money, especially when you throw entrepreneurship into the mix.

Glenn breaks down his go-to strategy for keeping household finances in check when your income is anything but steady, while Julie questions whether “bare minimum” budgets really let anyone thrive.

They get into the nitty-gritty of why joint accounts seem to mysteriously drain themselves, how guys tend to drop big bucks on a single item while women make more frequent, smaller purchases, and why splitting your fun money into his-and-hers (or hers-and-hers, or his-and-his!) accounts can be a total game changer. Spoiler alert: you might want to start a vacation fund after this episode.

If you’re sick of fighting about money with your partner or just want some practical, down-to-earth tips to make life as an entrepreneurial couple a little easier, tune in—there’s even some banter about jorts and golf clubs you don’t want to miss. So kick back, relax, and let’s talk about getting more value out of your hard-earned cash!

Empowering Moments

00:00 Household Finances: Spending Issues

05:20 Budgeting: Gender Spending Habits

07:36 "Living Within Means for Enjoyment"

10:09 "Enhancing Life by Smart Spending"

This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.

Here are 3 key takeaways you won’t want to miss:

Define Core vs. Discretionary Spending

Start by setting a clear budget for fixed household expenses, then allocate separate discretionary accounts for each partner. This approach helps keep spending balanced and arguments at bay.

Transparency is Key

Agree together—using a spreadsheet or whatever works for you—on what counts as joint expenses and personal spending. Honest conversations are the foundation for avoiding surprise credit card bills or missing vacation funds.

Preserve the Fun (and the Peace!)

By giving each partner their own “no-questions-asked” discretionary account, you reduce resentment, foster independence, and free up energy to focus on meaningful experiences, not just more “stuff.”

Glenn Harper, CPA, is the Owner and Managing Partner of Harper & Company CPAs Plus, a top 10 Managing Partner in the country (Accounting Today's 2022 MP Elite). His firm won the 2021 Luca Award for Firm of the Year.

An entrepreneur and speaker, Glenn transformed his firm into an advisory-focused practice, doubling revenue and profit in two years. He teaches entrepreneurs to build financial and operational excellence, speaks nationwide to CPA firm owners about running their businesses like entrepreneurs, and consults with firms across the country. Glenn enjoys golfing, fishing, hiking, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Julie Smith, MBA, is a serial entrepreneur in the public accounting space. She is the Founder of EmpowerCPA™, Founder of PureTax, LLC, COO for Harper & Company CPAs Plus, and Co-host of the Empowering Entrepreneurs podcast.

Named CPA.com's 2021 Innovative Practitioner of Year, Julie led Harper & Company's transition to an advisory-focused firm, doubling revenue and profit in two years. She now empowers other CPA firm owners nationwide through consulting and speaking, teaching them how to run their businesses like entrepreneurs. Julie lives in Columbus, OH with her family and enjoys travel, coaching basketball, sporting events, and the occasional shopping spree.

Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.

Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.

Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for success

Our clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.

Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.

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