The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning: Money Management Before and After You Blend a Family

Ranked #1 of the 100 best estate planning books of all time by the website Book Authority (2021). 
From bestselling author, speaker, and therapist Ron Deal, one of the most widely read and viewed experts on blended families in North America, this book is part of Ron's Smart Stepfamily Series of books (over 250,000 copies sold) including The Smart Stepmom, The Smart Stepdad, Dating and the Single Parent, The Smart Stepfamily Marriage, and Daily Encouragement for the Smart Stepfamily, and the bestselling The Smart Stepfamily. 
Money issues are a frequent source of conflict in all marriages. But blended families are a monetary minefield. Debts, bills, and child support payments from previous relationships often influence the finances of a blended family. And planning for college expenses, retirement, and inheritance (estate planning) gets even more complicated in remarriage. These issues can explode couple unity and blow up developing family harmony.

However, proper blended family money management can make money an asset to your relationship, not a liability. The authors use over 50 years of combined financial planning and blended family educational experience to help you envision your combined financial future and plan for how you'll get there. You'll discover practical ways to merge your current financial realities and protect your marriage while doing so.

Get real-world financial advice specific to unique blended family legal and relational matters so you can provide for your family both now and in the future.

Named #1 Best Estate Planning Book of All Time by BookAuthority

Take Control of Your Blended Family Finances

Money issues are a frequent source of conflict in any marriage. But blended families are a monetary minefield. Debts, bills, and child support payments from previous relationships often influence the finances of a blended family. And planning for college expenses, retirement, and inheritance gets even more complicated in stepfamilies.
However, proper blended family money management can make money an asset to your relationships rather than a liability. The authors use over fifty years of combined financial planning and blended family educational experience to help you merge your current financial realities and family, and protect your marriage while doing so.
Get real-world financial advice specific to unique blended family matters so you can provide for your family both now and in the future.

"Undoubtedly one of the most complicated financial situations is that of the stepfamily. Ron, Greg, and David have combined their individual experiences to write a very helpful and practical book. I recommend it highly."--RON BLUE, founder of Ronald Blue Trust and the Ron Blue Institute of Financial Planning, and author of more than 20 books, including Master Your Money

Ron L. Deal is founder of Smart Stepfamilies™, director of FamilyLife Blended® for FamilyLife®, the author of numerous books on stepfamily living including the bestselling The Smart Stepfamily, and consulting editor for the Smart Stepfamily Series of books. Ron is a licensed marriage and family therapist and popular speaker. He and his wife, Nan, have three sons and live in Little Rock, Arkansas. Find resources at SmartStepfamilies.com.

Greg Pettys, CLU, ChFC, CFP, has thirty-four years of specialized experience in securities and life insurance sales and services. Ron has known Greg for twenty years, and Greg speaks regularly at Ron's Smart Stepfamily events.

David O. Edwards is an estate planning and elder law attorney based in Springfield, Illinois. David speaks regularly at Ron's Smart Stepfamily events.

Ron L. Deal (www.rondeal.org and www.familylife.com/blended) is one of the most widely read and viewed experts on blended families in the country. He is president of Smart Stepfamilies, directs the blended family ministry at FamilyLife, and is the author of more than a dozen books and resources, including the bestselling The Smart Stepfamily and Building Love Together in Blended Families (with Dr. Gary Chapman). Ron is a licensed marriage and family therapist, popular conference speaker, and host of the podcast FamilyLife Blended with Ron Deal. He and his wife, Nan, have been married since 1986 and have three boys.

Greg S. Pettys, CLU, ChFC, CFP, has thirty-four years of specialized experience in securities and life insurance sales and services. Ron has known Greg for twenty years, and Greg speaks regularly at Ron's stepfamily events.

David O. Edwards is an estate planning and elder law attorney based in Springfield, Illinois. David speaks regularly at Ron's stepfamily events.