How to Address Money Problems in Marriage
Several things can cause friction in a relationship, and money is one of those things. The best of friends can find themselves at odds because of disagreements about finances. Money is a sensitive subject that can stir up strong emotions in people, and those strong emotions can lend themselves to conflict that is difficult to resolve. In marriage, where a couple often holds their finances in common, money problems can become a source of significant stress. Money and marriage Financial issues are one of the leading causes of divorce, with between 20-40% of divorces being attributable to disagreements and problems about money. Money is such a key part of our existence. It’s how we eat, are housed, clothed, able to enjoy vacations, give to our favorite charities, and save up for retirement. It’s not surprising that when there are issues about money, it can affect every aspect of a couple’s life. Issues around money can emerge in several ways. Often, when there isn’t enough money to spend on everything one would want, disagreements can arise about what to prioritize with the limited resources there are. Conflict can arise based on the spending patterns of one or both spouses. Conflict can also spring up when financial problems are kept hidden from one spouse by the other. Money often comes through hard work, and that can complicate the use of money in the household. The spouse making more money may feel they have the right to determine how the family’s resources are spent. If one spouse is often working to provide for the family, they may become resentful of how much they work and insist on being able to enjoy the fruits of their labor. These are just some of the ways money affects the dynamic of a relationship. As money [...]
