Menu #56: Houston, we have a money newsletter

TOP FIVE 🖐️ 

Local links we’re enjoying

• Housing affordability holds steady in Greater Houston – The Houston Association of Realtors reports that 39% of residents can afford a median‑priced home; Montgomery County is the most affordable (46%), while Harris County is the least (34%).

• Project Row Houses program fuels Third Ward startups – Nonprofit Project Row Houses is offering reduced‑rent spaces in Houston’s historic El Dorado Ballroom, giving local entrepreneurs and startups a home base and access to mentorship.

• Action1 tops Houston firms on Inc. 5000 – Endpoint‑management company Action1 grew revenue by 7,188%, leading Houston‑area companies on the Inc. 5000; other fast‑growers include Bogey Bros Golf and Turtlebox Audio.

• Texas singles now need $90K+ to live “comfortably” – A new SmartAsset report pegs the cost of “comfortable” living in Texas at $90,771/year for singles, up nearly $6K from 2024. For a family of four? $204,922/year. The rankings put Texas at #31 for singles, #40 for families.

• Hibiscus Aesthetics & Wellness celebrates four years – Founder Dr. Jacinta Anyaoku launched the Fulshear med‑spa after her employer denied maternity leave; her clinic offers Botox, microneedling, laser hair removal and weight‑loss services, focusing on treatments safe for all skin tones.

  

DEEP DISH 🍕

Why we took the leap to join our finances

When Ahrif and I got engaged in July 2021, we were not in a rush to merge all our finances. At that point, we were focused on planning our September 2022 wedding, which came with its fair share of expenses and to-do lists.

Early in 2022, we opened a joint account specifically for wedding costs. Every so often, we each put in money, and every payment from the venue to the décor, to catering came straight from that account. It kept everything simple and organized. There was no confusion about who paid for what, just one place where all the wedding expenses lived.

After our big day, which was everything we hoped it would be, we kept the account. Instead of wedding costs, we used it for household expenses such as the mortgage, utilities, and groceries. We each set up a portion of our paycheck to go directly into that account, and that system worked well for a while.

In December 2022, we had one of our “let’s talk about the year ahead” conversations, something we do every year. We usually cover a little bit of everything: personal goals, career plans, spiritual growth, and money. One financial goal we set for 2023 was to start a joint brokerage account so we could invest together.

To make it happen, we knew we would need to make some big changes. We decided to live off one salary and put the other entirely toward investing. At the time, this was possible because we were living well below our means and had fewer financial responsibilities. We had only one car, modest monthly expenses, and no major debt payments. That cushion gave us the confidence to take the leap.

Fully combining our finances meant every paycheck went into the same account, and every spending and investing decision was made together. It was a big shift, but it felt natural because we share the same values when it comes to money.

We believe in spending intentionally, saving wisely, and investing for the future. We have always been open about past financial decisions, both good and bad, and about what we want our future to look like. That transparency built trust, and that trust made the leap less intimidating.

I know joining finances isn’t for everyone. Personal finance is exactly that — personal. Some couples thrive with separate accounts, and that is perfectly fine. For us, combining everything has helped us hit our goals faster, stay aligned, and feel like we are truly building something together.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about money. It is about being on the same team, chasing the same dreams, and trusting each other with one of the most personal parts of life. For us, that has been worth every bit of the leap.

MONEY MENU JOB OPPS
Hiring in Houston

Senior Analyst, Strategy & Innovation at Cornerstone Building Brands reports to the Vice President, Corporate Strategy  — ($100K - $135K) + 10% bonus + benefits starting day 1 + 401k

Designer/Salesperson at Closet Factory — ($100K+) Full commission for top performers. No cold calling, only qualified leads.

Associate Director, Planned Giving at MD Anderson to qualify, cultivate, and solicit new donors to the institution — ($110K - $141K)

Regional Director, Site operations at Sitemetric, leadership role in the construction industry — ($130K - $180K)

Interim Administrator at Paradigm Healthcare to oversee daily functions at the facility — ($90K - $133K)