Publications
Partners
- Relationship expert Paula Quinsee says money conversations are either ignored or postponed in many relationships.
- It's easy to 'blame and shame' your partner if they're not contributing in ways that you think are fair, which can lead to them keeping secrets from you.
- Paula delves into why money conversations are so sensitive and how couples can address them in a healthy manner.
Some people deem money a deal-breaker. It sounds extreme, but someone once said when they date, a conversation about how much they earn, their expenses, policies and bank statements is not off-limits.
It might be a bit much but it's necessary for people who have expectations about the person they want to be with and the kind of life they want to live. How do you plan a life when you don't know what the financial muscle looks like?
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There are many things couples openly talk about, whether dating, in a relationship or married. But when it comes to money, this conversation is not always met with honesty.
Not being open about your spending habits in a relationship can ruin it, things like spending money on a designer bag when the electricity bill or rent has not been paid. Or not being truthful about what you can afford, debts or financial aspirations.
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Relationship expert Paula Quinsee says trust is a crucial component in any relationship, personal or professional.
"When our trust gets broken, it can have all sorts of repercussions and even lead to a break-up or divorce. Finance is one of the leading problems that couples often argue about and end up getting divorced over, so couples should have these conversations," she says.
But why is talking about money perceived as a sensitive issue not easy to talk about?
"From a very young age, we are taught not to talk about money like never tell anyone how much you earn. We also seldom have money discussions at home. More than often, it's a heated discussion or argument. Seldom do our parents include us in money discussions as these are seen as 'adult talk', and our first experience of money is usually related to pocket money earned through chores. As a result, money conversations are usually experienced as awkward conversations that we avoid," Paula says.
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So when should couples indulge in some 'adult talk'? Often, the 'adult talk' happens when things fall apart.
Instead, Paula recommends these conversations start "early on in the relationship."
"Start with the basics such as drawing up a household budget and agree on how each one will contribute to the everyday costs relative to their income and personal expenses. Once a couple is settled in their relationship and committed to each other for the long term, they should be having more serious discussions such as medical insurances, policies and wills based on their lifestyle and aspirations."
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From small secrets to financial infidelity
Shafeeka Anthony, marketing manager at JustMoney, says it starts with small secrets and turns into financial infidelity.
"When two people are in a relationship, they bring a lot of baggage with them and often have different money personalities. Both may believe their views are correct, which can cause a significant amount of friction, leading to deception. Whether hiding how much you earn or keeping a secret stash of cash in case your relationship doesn't work out, you're behaving in ways that suggest you don't trust your partner."
"A secret addiction, such as gambling or alcoholism, can worsen things further," she adds.
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Blaming and shaming
Your worth is not just based on money, and you bring more to a relationship than currency. However, it's easy to 'blame and shame' your partner if they're not contributing in ways that you think are fair, which can lead to them keeping secrets from you.
Everyone has the right to privacy and agency over their finances, and you shouldn't have to account for every cent you spend. However, your actions can impact your partner's life, and you owe it to them to be honest.
Close the trust gap
"The only real solution is radical honesty, with yourself and with your partner. If you're not willing to play open cards with your partner, you may need to re-evaluate the relationship itself," Says Paula.
She recommends that if you struggle to have these kinds of conversations, get a therapist or financial advisor to help facilitate before severe repercussions like repossession of goods or insurmountable debt occur.
