Money issues can be stressful. Whether it’s being upset that your spouse earns more than you or struggling to make ends meet between paychecks, dealing with financial issues puts a strain on your relationship.
You will have to make financial decisions each and every day. If you and your spouse are not in agreement on how to spend your money, then there could be conflicts. If there isn’t enough money to go around, conflicts are more likely to occur, too.
It’s normal to have a difference of opinion on how to spend or save your money, but if it starts to cause problems, then letting those problems go without addressing them could result in a divorce later down the line.
Money makes things personal
While it may not seem very personal to fight over finances, the truth is that money does make things personal. One person may feel bad that they don’t earn more or be upset that their lesser-earning spouse spent what they were trying to save.
Differences in opinion on how to approach your finances make a big difference in your marriage. That’s why it’s important for you to sit down and talk about your finances. If only one of you is working, is it okay for the other to spend? If you have a large imbalance in earnings, should the person earning less still cover half of all the marital expenses? Discuss these issues to reduce the likelihood of a fight.
Getting on the same page with money can help a struggling marriage
If you and your spouse often fight about money but are able to come to an agreement on how to spend or use what you have, then you’ll have a lesser likelihood of fighting in the future. However, money issues can breed resentment, and you may find that those issues wear down your relationship over time.
If you are ready to divorce due to financial issues, consider the options open to you. You may be able to work together to agree on a settlement, which will help minimize the expense of your divorce and help you stabilize your own finances as you move forward as a single person.