Are you honest with your partner about money?

Bruce Wayne · #1 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 02:18 AM

One in three couples would rather talk about the awkward subject of sex or past relationships, than about their finances, new research reveals.

The Financial Services Authority's (FSA) survey of 1,436 people reveals that many couples find the hardest thing to talk about is money matters, with some lying to their other half about debts.

So what about you guys? I know I'm always honest with Barbara about everything but do you tell the truth with your partner about your finances?

frugalfarmwife · #2 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 02:42 AM

K, I must be wierd then, I probably talk to much about our finances

Yes, we're totally honest and up front about finances.

kj

Amy752 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 03:01 AM

I'm fine with talking about it, but it only frustrates me because while my husband sees the need to pay off debt, he doesn't understand my IMMEDIATE desire to pay it off NOW, or my massive concern about it. Anytime we have extra, he wants to spend it - ugh! So, I'd rather not discuss it. Often times, he doesn't realize we have extra money unless I tell him, so I'd rather just apply it to debt than get into a discussion about how he thinks we should spend it.

PrincessPerky · #4 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 05:22 AM

We are honest, totally, while we do not always see eye to eye (usually I want to be more frugal) we can find a middle ground. Thouhg I think talking about sex might be more fun, it has to wait till the kids are in bed

Lostsoul33 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 06:52 AM

We are completely honest with eachother about our finances. Normally I have to update him on how much we owe and how much is in our accounts. His philosophy is that he makes enough money to cover everything and that's all that matters. He doesn't really like to talk about it unless we really need to.

Ima saver · #6 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 07:13 AM

We have no problem with talking about it and we are completely honest. He makes the money, but I write his paycheck out to myself and give him an allowance. He is more willing to take on big debts than I am, for example, buying land or cars. I hate owing $35,000 on a piece of property where he sees it as an investment.

miclason · #7 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 08:31 AM

ex-hubby and I were...it was probably the best aspect of our relationship (no wonder we divorced!)...my sis and I are honest about our money situation (we live together and share house expenses)....my parents kept it all from us until it was too late!

We could have prevented a lot of $$$ problems if we had known sooner how things stood...

robex · #8 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 09:18 AM

We are very honest with eachother...although I don't know if he's always listening to me!LOL!

Fern · #9 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 12:52 PM

Yes, always.

If a couple can't be honest about $$, there are probably other areas of their relationship they're not honest about.

Ima saver · #10 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 01:10 PM

You are right robex, I don't know how much he listens to me but I never worry about him spending money we don't have and that is nice.

JoyJoy · #11 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 07:04 PM

My husband trusts me completely to handle our finances. I always show him our Quicken after each pay period. He always tells me what he is going to spend his allowance on too (lol) even though I advise him that this is his money to spend as he chooses! We've always been up front and honest about our finances. We both have been married before and we both had issues with our ex-spouses about money! ( Both ex-spouses wanting to spend their own checks the way they saw fit. )

My husband and I said 8 years ago when we married that there would be no secrets. I do know we have a great marriage and I couldn't bear life without my sweetie!

jodi · #12 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 07:33 PM

DH and I are always honest too. Sometimes, though, he doesn't volunteer info if he knows I am going to roll my eyes at him (you bought another losing lottery ticket??? or why did you buy a cup of coffee - you could have taken one from home!), but these are always very small cash expenses. I trust him to spend his cash how he sees fit, even if I don't agree. All other expenses are tracked through the accounts and ccs, so no secrets even if we wanted to keep them.

cercis · #13 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 08:18 PM

My dh thinks I'm maybe too honest. When I admit to him that I spent 65cents on a soda, it ticks him off because he doesn't want to hear of me drinking soda.

I "confess" to him and he to me. Partly it's because it keeps us honest and on track and partly it's a way of confirming that we are still working together.

elcheapo · #14 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 09:09 PM

yes I am the cheap one in the family my spouse is the go ahead a buy it one

markio26 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 08:19 PM

yeah, i try to explain the finances.. not sure if anyone is listening.
we are always busy..... but, total trust is there.

baselle · #16 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 10:32 PM

I'm forthcoming with my finances, but we don't yak about them all the time. I don't care if dearest bought a soda.

We have separate finances. Dearest has rescued me financially a couple of times when I was unemployed, and I have rescued him a couple of times when he was. So sharing big news - good or bad is important.

Ima saver · #17 (**permalink**) 02-11-2006, 08:58 AM

I couldn't be married to someone that wasn't honest with me.