Valentine’s Day is all about romance. Many couples spend the holiday showing their appreciation for each other, sharing candy, flowers and other (typically heart-shaped) gifts. But there’s often something couples don’t share: money. While keeping finances separate doesn’t always lead to a breakup, it can ruin a relationship over time.
A recent survey found that among people who don’t handle money together with their partner, 20% say they plan to leave the relationship due to money issues. It’s common for couples to keep love and money apart. One in five couples say they keep their finances completely separate. Almost one in three couples don’t know each other’s salaries.
Keeping money separate is a product of couples getting married later and waiting until after marriage to merge their money. But waiting until you’ve tied the knot to manage your money together may hurt your relationship.
Deciding to manage your money separately can often lead to dishonesty about spending habits, income or savings. When not discussed, certain money issues (like debt) can wreck a relationship.
Keeping your money separate isn’t always a bad thing, as long as you are open and honest with your partner. It can help to have regular discussions about how to split costs, and set large financial goals, like buying a home.
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This article originally appeared on Policygenius and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Featured Image Credit: gpointstudio.
