Money is one of the biggest sources of stress in modern life—and it can make or break relationships. In this episode of Man Down, Ted and Patrick dive into how money shapes partnerships, why even fair-minded people often see it differently, and how past experiences and upbringing influence our views on contribution, fairness, and security. They explore why financial stress feels heavier today than ever before, the role social media plays in fueling comparison and “money dysmorphia,” and how couples can start having honest, constructive conversations about money without resentment or conflict. Along the way, Ted and Patrick share their own stories, lessons, and mistakes around money, offering insights that will resonate with anyone navigating finances, relationships, and modern pressures. 💬 Send us your questions in the comments or at mandownpodcast@varianceincorporated.com Listen to us on Megaphone (or find our RSS Feed!): https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/VI9326253269?selected=VI1151133526 Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLzsGH4hM9TxHC4hHPvgMJw X: https://x.com/ManDownPodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lm4shifbvs6k63eb54k2gmho Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandown.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mandownpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 Intro Teaser 00:20 Welcome Intro 00:27 Episode Intro 01:01 Ted and Patrick’s Personal Experiences with Money 07:35 Generation Perspectives on Money 08:43 Money, Security, and Morality 09:19The Complexity of Money Conversations in Relationships 10:40 Childhood Influences on Financial Attitudes 19:08 The Social Stigma Around Money 19:47 Navigating Financial Dynamics in Relationships 21:05 The Emotional Toll of Financial Vigilance 21:47 Housing Crisis and Its Impact on Family Planning 24:00 The Long-Term View on Housing and Utilities 25:56 Money Dysmorphia: The Social Media Side Effect 27:20 Population Decline, Immigration Dynamics and Economic Recovery 31:39 The Interpersonal Impact of Money in Relationships 33:40 Navigating Financial Conversations in Relationships 35:17 Taking Control of Personal Finances 35:40 The Challenge of Budgeting and Financial Discipline 38:20 Understanding FIRE and Fat FIRE 39:19 Money and Relationships: The Impact of Financial Views 41:38 Navigating Wealth and Anxiety 42:28 Ted Investing in Friendships Businesses 43:02 Balancing Financial Contributions in Relationships 45:05 10 Million is When People Start to Chill Out Financially 49:26 Ted on Combining Money and Friendships 52:19 Navigating and Understanding what Each Partner Contributes 53:20 Outro