When’s the last time you had an honest conversation with a family member about money? Turns out, many of us don’t even have open discussions with our household about finances: 44% of adults hide an account or a debt from their partners.¹

“An old adage says money, religion, and politics cause arguments,” says Heather Winston, assistant director of financial advice and planning at Principal^®. “Of those three, money gets talked about the least in a family.”

But talking about money—what we do with it, what our plans are for it, whether we need help with it—is important, and probably doesn’t happen enough.

Take making a will: Only one-third of adults have one.² But without it, you may lose control: A local probate court—not you—will follow state laws and a public trustee will decide what happens to your assets.

“To some people, money feels intensely private. You add in potential emotions like guilt and shame over past decisions and the fear of the conversation only intensifies,” Winston says.

To figure out how to talk with family about money, these tips can help break the cycle of overheated conversations.

1. Make the family and money conversation a meeting.

It may seem strange to set up a time and a place to begin conversations about money. But having a surprise chat can lead to unintended friction.

Timing is important. Avoid pairing these conversations with big events such as holidays—those can be stressful enough on their own. “Pick a moment when you anticipate that everyone will be at ease and calm, not in the midst of a loss or crisis,” Winston says.

2. Narrow the first conversation.

Ultimately what you’re worried about may be big. But to start, keep the topic simple: The easier it is, the more confidence you will have in the discussions.

For example, if you need to talk about long-term care plans for aging parents begin with a basic conversation about options and coverage they may have, if any. To talk about college costs (and payments) for your kids, start with a list of ways to pay and ideas that might work for your family. Instead of reviewing dollars and cents saved in retirement accounts, you could open your first family finances meeting with a conversation starter, says Winston. “If you come from a point of curiosity and not judgement, it lays a foundation.”

And in case you’re catching anyone off guard, choose a place that is comfortable and private (think a living room, not a restaurant) with a focused, smaller audience. In an initial conversation with your parents, perhaps it’s just you and your siblings with no spouses.

“It's always a good idea to have anyone who may be playing a role—guardian, executor of your will, health care proxy, for example, included,” Winston says. “That way you won't have to have multiple conversations on the same topic.”

3. Keep your own emotions in check.

That can be hard to do. Many people talk about money when they’re facing a crisis or having end-of-life conversations. “Talking about your finances at this stage is forcing you to face your own mortality, and that’s never comfortable for anyone,” says Stanley Poorman, a financial professional with Principal.

4. Meet as often as you need to.

With every successful conversation you have, set a time and a topic for the next discussion.

It’s not about being wishy-washy in your first conversation, says Winston, but deliberate, specific, and supportive. “The goal isn’t to have this be the only conversation, but the first conversation,” she says. “Your listening skills are incredibly important.”

5. Find neutral help if needed.

Poorman helps other people with their money for a living. Still, it can be hard for his own family members to come to him for insight. “Sometimes I just put it out there that I can help if they want, and let them come to me,” Poorman says.

That’s because learning how to talk to family about money is hard. “You won’t get it right 100% of the time, but simply starting from a place of good intentions is important,” Poorman says.

If you feel like you’re not getting anywhere or creating more tension, it may be helpful to suggest a neutral third-party, such as a financial professional, for insights. “Sometimes it’s easier to have the conversation with someone who isn’t emotionally invested in the outcome,” Winston says.