Kevin O'Leary's Secrets to a Happy Marriage

Hey Husbands! Hope you're having a wonderful day. I recently tuned into The Iced Coffee Hour podcast featuring Mr. Wonderful himself, Kevin O'Leary. He covered a wide range of topics, from watches to valuing time, and of course, Shark Tank. However, what really stood out were his insights on marriage and maintaining a long-lasting relationship. One key takeaway was the importance of having a financial pillar in marriage.

I thoroughly enjoyed the podcast, and if you'd like to listen to it, you can find the YouTube link below. It's also available on Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms. In this newsletter, I want to dive into three important topics Kevin discussed that are crucial for a strong marriage:

• Financial Pillar

• Families Work

• Listen

Financial Pillar

Kevin O’Leary emphasizes that while a marriage can survive infidelity, it cannot withstand financial stress. He states, "In marriage, what turns out to really matter is that you both share the same financial goals and one doesn’t outspend the other and go into bankruptcy." He points out that couples often don’t establish a financial pillar or goal beforehand because they are in a euphoric state of love.

This might be a hard pill to swallow for those who haven’t given it much thought. Aligning financial goals with your spouse often requires making sacrifices. Kevin O’Leary's insight is valuable because, eventually, you and your wife will be aware of each other’s finances and spending habits. Therefore, it’s crucial to sit down and figure out a plan together. Kevin asserts that if you don’t have a financial pillar, you’re already failing within the first seven years. While this may sound harsh, there's a lot of truth to it.

Understanding each other’s financial practices and beliefs will help establish a solid financial foundation for the future. Think about the future: you may have kids, if not already, and there are bills, vacations, and responsibilities that must be met. With the world pulling you in multiple directions, having a financial pillar will help you and your wife come together at the end of the day and ensure that you are achieving your goals together.

One partner may have debt while the other is the sole breadwinner, but without understanding and establishing a financial pillar, the whole marriage could crumble. Knowing what you are getting into and how to move forward will create a happy and lasting relationship.

Families Work

Having a great connection and an active family is beneficial for any relationship, whether it's enjoying family gatherings or seeking help from parents. As husbands, we not only become part of a new side of the family but also create our own. In the podcast, Kevin O’Leary mentions that if he could change one thing, he would have gotten married and had kids earlier. This underscores his belief that "families work," as growing up with your children and being around when they reach significant milestones, like college, is invaluable.

Raising kids requires a lot of energy, and it's a 24/7 commitment. It can be challenging for us, especially for newlyweds, as we lack the experience. That’s why families matter—they provide support and guidance. After the first child, life changes drastically, and many couples realize they can't do the things they used to. Kevin O'Leary highlights that a lot of marital stress happens after the first child, as couples adapt to their new reality and responsibilities.

It’s true that bringing a child into the world can be stressful, and families need to support each other. While not all families are perfect, it's essential for you and your wife to sit down and realistically look at your lives’ timeline. Having a financial pillar and a plan can also help. As Kevin O’Leary mentioned, it's about choosing between having all the money when you’re old or having a family. Open communication with your wife is crucial in navigating these decisions.

If you already have kids who are growing or grown, think about your future relationship with them. Families have the amazing gift of creating wonderful memories and happiness, not only in your life but also in the lives of those around you.

Listen

We husbands know that communication and listening to our spouse is crucial in maintaining a strong relationship. When asked by Jack Selby what advice he would give to keep a relationship steady, Kevin O'Leary responded beautifully with, "I have a single word... listen." He explained, "If you don’t listen to your spouse and you don't consider their ideas, you'll get divorced because if you don't, that is a problem. You have to have a two-way street no matter what kind of relationship it is—gay, married, whatever—you gotta listen."

This basic yet golden rule is something we husbands must remember to maintain a healthy relationship. It’s easy to forget to simply "listen" due to work stress, falling into routines, or even becoming too lazy and selfish. Actively thinking and putting in the effort to listen to your wife will strengthen your bond and build trust in each other.

Graham Stephen brings up a good point later in the conversation, saying he listens but also offers solutions to any problems. While this approach may work for some, it’s essential to recognize that every couple is different, and you know your wife best. There are times when we need to put our foot down, and there are times when our wives will do the same. These are the moments to snap out of automation and really consider what your wife is saying. It can be challenging to gauge whether your wife wants a solution or just needs to vent, but the important thing is to be there for her. If unsure, just ask what she’s looking for. It’s better than jumping the gun and risking annoyance by interrupting when she’s just trying to vent.

Thank you for reading through! I hope today’s newsletter brought some good topics about being a husband from Kevin O’Leary. I really enjoyed listening to this episode of Iced Coffee Hour with Kevin O’Leary and if you haven’t listen to it yet, I highly recommend it as it’s only an hour and a half long. Listening and learning from many successful individuals in their own lives and in their marriage is truly a educational blessing.