{"id":1653,"date":"2021-09-24T22:45:32","date_gmt":"2021-09-24T22:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.couples-experience.com\/?p=1653"},"modified":"2023-10-23T16:29:39","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T16:29:39","slug":"how-money-can-affect-your-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/couples-experience.com\/how-money-can-affect-your-relationship\/","title":{"rendered":"How Money Can Affect Your Relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"

Handling your own finances is stressful enough, but handling money between two people is one of the most common sources of relationship problems for couples worldwide. Being the reason <\/span>67% of people argue with their significant other<\/span><\/a>, money-related issues manifest in various ways. Still, however imperceptible some of them may be, they are the issues are a sign that something about the relationship needs to be addressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

The COVID-19 pandemic certainly intensified the impact of financial hardship. Along with facing lockdown together, couples have been challenged to elevate their levels of compassion and communication skills to brand new standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Honesty, empathy, and clear communication are the foundation for any healthy and lasting relationship. When it comes to money, it is no different. Learn some of the most recurring financial problems to haunt happy couples, how vital talking about money as a team is, and the first steps to bring up the conversation with your partner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most Common Money-Related Problems in a Relationship<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

Disagreement about finances is <\/span>one of the three leading causes of divorce<\/span><\/a>. These problems often surface because of personal income differences, insecurity, and personal baggage. Identifying what kind of money-related problem you are going through can be the first step in saving your relationship.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Power Imbalance<\/i><\/strong><\/i><\/h3>\n

Among the main issues related to money in relationships, power imbalance may be one of the most complex. It can come from several reasons, but its effects are always significant. In most relationships, there is one person who makes more money than their partner, and, as the age-old saying goes, money is power.<\/span><\/p>\n

When one person in the relationship has a higher income, it is common for them to have the final say in matters of finances. This increased control can start to leak even into the more straightforward decisions related to money, such as where to eat on date night. The person with more money often expects their partner to compensate for their lack of financial contribution by taking on more responsibilities and investing more time into the relationship – like taking on all the household work or looking after the kids.<\/span><\/p>\n

A power imbalance often makes the person who earns less feel guilty, ashamed, and, ultimately, become financially dependent on their higher-earning partner. The disadvantaged person possibly doesn\u2019t realize their situation until they face a possible end of the relationship and a sudden shift to their lifestyle. These situations force the person to choose between staying in a financially toxic relationship or adapting to a new reality where they\u2019ve lost their primary financial support.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Financial Infidelity<\/i><\/strong><\/i><\/h3>\n

In a study by the Financial Therapy Association, <\/span>27% of the participants admitted to having kept financial secrets from their partners<\/span><\/a>. Moreover, both marital and life satisfaction was lower for those who had experienced financial infidelity. Among the 14 behaviors linked to financial infidelity analyzed by the research, the four most common among the participants were:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n