Southeast European Center for Semiotic Studies

Finances have always been something that makes a relationship harder. The financial stress of the Great Recession has turned up the volume. Studies have shown that couples who argue about their financial situation end up splitting up very often. Money destroys relationships. Luckily, money helps relationships when it is discussed. The problem is that couples do not want to talk about money, and that eventually gets them into trouble.

Discussions on finances avoided by couples

Almost one in three couples say personal finance causes probably the most stress in their relationship, and 91 percent of Americans surveyed by a recent American Express Spending & Saving Tracker find reasons to keep away from talking about money with their partner. Knowing a spouse's salary is pretty unlikely in numerous marriages according to Ruth Mantell of the Wall Street Journal. However, in tough times, talking about money and financial strategy is very important for couples to deal with financial stress, like losing a job.

Couples have better relationships with financial strategy

It makes sense that most couples do not want to talk about their finances. The survey by American Express shows that fights were started by money conversations 45 percent of the time. Emma Johnson at Forbes thinks that working together on finances will help a relationship. Saving, spending, earning interest or even personal finance are areas where couples can bond.

Tempers flare during tough times

Right now, since it is such a bad economy, it is harder to bond over personal finance. The recession has changed about 77 percent of 1,000 American's lives as outlined by a StrategyOne survey. Americans tend to be unhappy, and even angry with individuals around them. The recession is causing people to delay getting married, having kids or retiring.

Working on conversations on finances

Financial reasons are keeping individuals, according to StrategyOne, from getting divorces also. So possibly that buys a while for couples to work on their personal finance situation. Mantell suggests five things couples should do. The first thing is to start talking about things. Then couples will work together with changes. Couples should talk about spending. Try to find a new job out of all of this, and maybe you need to cancel some vacations.

Focusing on money as a team

Couples not facing sudden financial stress nevertheless bicker about money. When a couple works together with finances, the Johnson Forbes article suggests, their relationship gets stronger. If the couple knows about each other's spending habits, the relationship could get stronger. Delegating money tasks is an additional way to build trust and improve communication. If both partners agree on goals about saving, spending and returns on investments, possibly they'll eventually be celebrating that golden anniversary when the Great Recession is a distant memory.

Resources

Wall Street Journal

marketwatch.com/story/five-money-tips-for-couples-in-tough-times-2010-07-20?pagenumber=2

Emma Johnson at Forbes

forbes.com/2010/07/15/marriage-money-fights-couples-relationships-forbes-woman-net-worth-family-finances_2.html

StrategyOne

prnewswire.com/news-releases/strategyone-public-opinion-survey-impact-of-great-recession-widespread-more-than-just-finances-affected-97574429.html