While money can’t buy love, it plays an integral part in any relationship. Money in a relationship impacts the choices you make as a couple. And if you’re not on the same page or have money differences, it can cause problems down the road.

While dating sites make finding a spouse incredibly easy, issues about money in a relationship or marriage can become problematic. It is especially true if you are dating your financial opposite. This means dating someone with differing financial priorities. In fact, about a third of adults in a relationship or marriage report money as a leading cause of conflict in their relationships. And that’s why money issues often lead to divorce.

While you may have differing views about money, finding ways to achieve financial compatibility with your partner can help strengthen your relationship. On the pro side, money differences in a relationship can provide insight and the road to better marital finances. Here are five reasons why money differences in relationships matter.

1.   Saving and Spending Differently

Money in a relationship can become an issue if one of you prioritizes saving for the future while the other partner squanders their income. Sharing money in a relationship when you and your partner have different money management styles can lead to problems.

Agreeing on how to spend money as a couple can help you navigate your differences and improve your financial health. You can start by deciding how to pay your bills on time and saving a specific amount in a joint savings account each month for shared expenses. Then you can consider having a joint account for all your household expenses. Maintaining individual accounts while having a joint account for household expenses is an effective way to eliminate issues related to using your finances. It’s also important to leave some amount for the spender to spend as they wish and the saver to put into their account. That’s how you can start splitting money in a relationship.

2.   Varying Paychecks

Money can affect relationships when there’s a significant difference between individual salaries. If you earn less than your partner, you’re more likely to feel the financial burden of splitting your household expenses equally. In such a situation, you need to agree upon a system for covering shared bills that’s fair for both of you.

That means, if you earn $75,000 and your spouse makes $25,000, then you need to pay 75 percent of the shared expenditures and your partner 25 percent. This allows you to split shared costs equitably and fairly and still have some money in your accounts for personal use. This way, the person making less won’t feel weighed down by the costs of shared expenses and their lifestyle. 

3.   Differences in Amounts of Debt

So, can money affect relationships? When it comes to debts, it can. Most people get into a relationship with debt, whether student loan, car loan or credit card debt. Having different amounts in debts can become a problem when discussions about money in a relationship come up. In such situations, how both of you deal with your debt will largely depend on how you choose to combine your finances.

For instance, you may agree debts incurred before marriage to be handled individually and debts incurred after marriage to be owed by both of you. Keeping past debts separate can help prevent hurting each other’s credit rating. However, the most crucial thing is ensuring you don’t pass judgment on your significant other. Instead, focus on servicing the debt and dealing with the cause, such as fixing your spending habits.

4.   Different Money Management Styles

Often, the partner who’s hands-on with finances usually takes charge of the finances in the relationship. They also happen to have more control in the relationship. This can be a disadvantage for the other partner since they’re often left in the dark when it comes to financial planning in the relationship.

And if you have conflicting expectations with your partner, you’re more likely to disagree over how money is spent constantly. Addressing the money factor in your relationship can help you and your partner determine the best way to manage your money together. This can also help you ensure that both of you control how cash is spent in your relationship and hold each other accountable.

Conclusion

As you’ve seen, money matters in a relationship. Having money differences between you and your partner can be a deal-breaker in your relationship. However, having disagreements about finances doesn’t always mean you can’t enjoy a happy relationship. As a couple, you need to learn the best ways to navigate your differences without changing or judging each other. This means accepting your differences and communicating respectfully on managing money in the relationship.

What are some effective ways you manage your finances as a couple when you have money differences in a relationship? Do you need money to be in a relationship? Let us know in the comment section below.

Miranda is an experienced relationship writer. Miranda enjoys studying relationship counseling, education, and development that focuses on improving communication. Miranda is passionate about cooking and yoga.