The recession is bad for your wallet, and it ain’t helping relationships either, a PayPal survey released today found. The recession has caused 43 percent of couples to argue more, partly because of shifting power dynamics. One in ten couples says the role of breadwinner has changed in the past six months because of job loss or salary cuts.
Sources of other fights are household chores (28 percent), in-laws (22 percent) and sex (15 percent).
Would it help if we talked less about money? Maybe. The survey found that “couples in the Netherlands tend to avoid discussions about money, likewise reporting the least amount of finance-related arguments. On the contrary, couples in the U.S. and Mexico are the most likely to openly discuss their finances and report the highest instances of household arguments related to money.”
Many partners hide their purchases from each other and have separate bank accounts. Some 14 percent of U.S. couples have ended a relationship in part due to financial stress.
When Hubby and I talk about money, I try to make sure we are both fed and well-rested. Otherwise, we have two strikes against us. How do you make talking about money easier?
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
be happy with what you have, and dont get over your head… money fights tend to happen when both the people are not on the same page with purchases. come up with a budget and make sure both partners have spending money- it makes everything run much smoother.
Good advice, Shasta. I like the idea of both partners having money that they can spend on whatever they want, even if it is a small allotment. We all have different ideas of what is important to buy.
Transparency is the answer! I know what my hubby buys, and he knows what I buy. That said, I have my own checking account so that I do not feel like I am “reporting” to my husband all the time, and he trusts me. After 18 years of marriage, we pay for separate things in our budget, and it works for us.
Jenni, you and your husband have an interesting system. I’m curious, do you make about the same amount of money? Do you each contribute equally to the expenses? Part of the reason why Hubby and I have shared accounts is so that we don’t have to go in and split everything up.