How to Talk to Your Parents About Money | Ep. 379

• Etinosa stresses preparation: reflect on your money scripts and biases, clarify your goals for the talk, and prepare to listen actively before discussing numbers.

It's really important to prepare yourself for the conversation before you even have the conversation.

• Lead with 'I' statements to share your own financial journey and reduce defensiveness. Treat the conversation as an ongoing practice rather than a single high-stakes event.

• Money scripts are subconscious beliefs about money formed by upbringing and life experiences. Etinosa shares a story of a single mother who felt guilty for buying her daughters expensive shoes because of her own fear of financial instability.

Money scripts are sort of subconscious thoughts and feelings and beliefs we hold about money.

• Recognize that everyone brings different scripts into the room—no script is inherently right or wrong.

• Tiffany shares an example of suggesting life insurance and being accused of wanting to 'kill' the person. Etinosa explains that defensive reactions often stem from the other person's money scripts and fears, not from you.

It's more of their fear. It's more of their money script.

• Choose relaxed, comfortable settings (brunch, family dinner) rather than stressful moments. Watch for defensive body language—crossed arms, shrinking posture—and verbal attacks as cues to pause or change topics.

If you're in the conversation and you see people start to use defensive language... that's a sign that, all right, let's back up a little bit.

• Etinosa's book provides practical conversation starters, questions to unpack your own money scripts, and ready-to-use scripts for topics like savings, insurance, debt, and estate planning. It's short, actionable, and available in print and digital formats.