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Hiding a Financial Secret From your Spouse? You are Not Alone

Hiding a Financial Secret From your Spouse? You are Not Alone
March 08
11:37 2016

Hiding secrets from your partner is often looked down upon. But, when it comes to finances this is not uncommon. May be you don’t want to burden your partner with your debt, or you rather not fight over a big purchase you made. Nonetheless, you are not the only one. According to a new survey from CreditCards.com, 13 million people have hidden a credit card or bank account from their spouse or significant other.

One in five of Americans surveyed admitted to spending more than $500 without telling their loved one. Men were found to be the more secretive when it comes to spending. They are twice as liking to spend $500 without sharing it with their partner.

Not all secret bank accounts are designated for suspicious activities, like a fund for the mistress or pool boy. So, if you have found out about your partner’s hidden bank account, don’t jump to any conclusions! This could be for an engagement ring or another surprise. But, being concerned about financial secrets is certainly warranted.

So, why are couples all over the country doing this? Money concerns tend to lead to arguments. According to a 2013 study by Kansas State University, money problems are often a predictor of divorce.

Although your partner may be disappointed that you are hiding something from them, it really depends on the amount for most couples. The survey revealed that a quarter of the participants wouldn’t care if their partner spent $500 without telling them. Furthermore, half of them agreed that if their partner spent $100 without informing them it would be no big deal.

Ultimately, it depends on what you and your partner are comfortable with. If you think your partner should talk to you before they drop a grand on a material item, make sure they know that. Or if you want to know why they have another secret bank account, ask them in a calm and collected manner. Communication is key.

“Depending on how much money you have, how comfortable you are with your partner, the boundaries can vary really widely from couple to couple,” said Matt Schulz, a senior analyst at CreditCards.com. “The underlying theme in all of this is just that honesty and openness are important with any relationship, but it’s really important when it comes to money.”

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Kerri Adams

Kerri Adams

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