Many couples blame their marriage problems on disagreements and an inability to see eye to eye. Marriage counseling is a great option for couples who need to learn how to better communicate, but it might not solve the problem that caused a disagreement in the first place, especially if the problem involves money. So because money is a leading cause of stress in relationships, couples may want to consider money counseling before heading to a marriage counselor. Nearly three-quarters of all Americans experience some kind of financial stress, according to the American Psychological Association. When you are in a relationship with a partner who has different views or values about money, this stress can become further exacerbated.
Throughout my years in the financial services industry, I have noticed that money counseling and marriage counseling often go hand in hand. Although it is not always obvious whether you need marriage counseling or money counseling but, here are some common warning signs that your relationship might be in financial trouble:
When it comes to managing household finances, both partners should be involved, or at least be aware of where money is being spent. We often meet with many clients who have mentioned that, within their relationships, one partner manages the finances and the other never looks into what he or she is doing. Societally, we used to view men as being responsible for a couple's finances, but this is no longer the case. Both partners should have a role in managing money.
If you both want to keep an eye on your money, separate bank accounts might seem like a good idea, but they can actually cause a lot of financial stress in a relationship. Managing money should be a joint effort, and separate accounts do not allow you to work together as well. Having separate accounts can lead to one partner hiding expenses or debts from another and can create animosity, because there is usually going to be judgment against how one partner is spending.
Just like religion and politics, it's important for couples to have similar values when it comes to money. This is something that's often overlooked in the early stages of a relationship, but it tends to surface and cause tension later on. Before getting serious, it's important for couples to talk in detail about what kinds of budgets and savings they have. These conversations are sometimes uncomfortable, so many people avoid them. We recommend that you should show copies of tax returns; this is rarely done and can make people uncomfortable, but it's a great step in really getting honest about your finances. It is also a good idea to talk about how your families handled finances when you were growing up. Because, more often than not, as people age and start taking more responsibility for their finances, they start doing things just like their families did.
Having a different socioeconomic background than your spouse can cause more issues than you might think, because you're likely used to handling and thinking about money differently. For example, someone from a wealthier background might not be used to worrying about money, while someone who grew up in a lower-income household might be more accustomed to saving, or might carry some debt. Money is power, especially in relationships. While it's not necessary to date within your own socioeconomic status, it is important to have open and honest conversations about how you view money. This is especially true if one partner makes more than the other. Even if the intention is to be equal, the person bringing in more income is inherently more powerful.
This is something my wife and I have had to work through. You should always be honest with your partner about how much debt you have, but it's also important to be on the same page with how much debt you're comfortable accumulating. For example, my wife and I came from pretty different backgrounds. I was raised by two business owners who often took risks with their money and had debt. My wife was raised by two employees, so she was much more accustomed to having a steady stream of income. Especially if one or both of you has large-scale debt, you need to be on the same page about how to manage it and eventually pay it back.
So, how can couples with money issues get back on track? If you're looking to do it yourself, David Ramsey has great resources, and I recommend him to our clients. If there are bigger issues, I would recommend seeing a financial planner. Just like with marriage counseling, it sometimes takes a third point of view to resolve issues in a relationship. A good financial adviser can help you achieve that balance in your bank account and in your personal life.
Partner, Financial Planner
Mike enjoys getting to know and understand his clients and their needs. Mike guides clients through the financial planning process to help them identify their goals and create a plan to achieve them. His expertise is working with folks nearing retirement and young couples looking to save for retirement and plan for their children’s education. Mike retired from the Air Force in 2014 and went back to school as a non-traditional student at the University of Northern Iowa. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Mike is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, XY Planning Network and Fee Only Network.
