Uncovering the Secrets of Money and Love
As we step into a new year filled with resolutions and tax preparations, Chime’s recent survey, conducted in partnership with OnePoll, offers a revealing glimpse into the financial dynamics of romantic relationships. This deep dive exposes both the hidden complexities of financial management and the emotional undertones of money in relationships.
The Financial Facade and Attractiveness in Relationships
Interestingly, more than 1 in 5 individuals are not as open about their finances with their partners as one might think, potentially because of the 77% of people who agree that being financially irresponsible is a turn-off. About 21% of survey participants admitted to having their own financial secrets, mostly surrounding Savings (38%), Debt (32%), and Spending (29%).
Meanwhile, 22% of respondents admit to breaking up with someone because of how poorly they manage their finances. When it comes to making sure you are stacking up, respondents prefer a high salary (30%) in a partner, even more than zero debt (28%), or a good credit score (19%).
“How well someone manages their money can reveal to you how responsible and stable they might be. For people considering a long-term partnership, financial responsibility can be a green flag!”
– Dr. Traci Williams, Certified Financial Therapist
Navigating the ‘Money Talk’ and Financial Discussions
The survey highlights the critical timing of financial conversations in relationships, with most Americans preferring to initiate the ‘money talk’ around six and a half months into dating. This period typically signifies a shift from the initial romantic phase to more serious contemplation of a long-term future together. When these conversations occur, they often start with less intimidating topics like current expenses, financial goals, and budgeting. These discussions lay the foundation for building trust and navigating the financial aspect of relationships with greater ease and understanding.
“Approaching financial discussions with tools like Dollars and Sense can significantly ease couples into meaningful conversations, setting the stage for a transparent and collaborative financial relationship.”
– Jennifer Dohm, Head of Consumer Communications at Chime
Aligning Financial Goals for Relationship Harmony
Despite differences in individual financial habits, Certified Financial Therapist Dr. Traci Williams emphasizes the importance of aligning financial goals and values. The average couple fights about money about once per month, though millennials and GenXers tend to argue twice each month.
“Couples can get on the same page by working on their financial goals together, discussing the values they share, and making plans for their future.”
– Dr. Traci Williams, Certified Financial Therapist
But it’s not all rocky roads ahead, when it comes to setting financial goals, we see more than half of couples (52%) do stick to a budget. And of the 2,000 Americans polled -all in serious relationships- almost two-thirds (63%) find it easy to manage their finances with their partner.
About Dr. Traci Williams, Certified Financial Therapist
Dr. Traci Williams combines psychological expertise with financial counseling to help couples navigate the complexities of financial decision-making. Her practice, Healthy Wealthy Roots, is dedicated to fostering healthy relationships and financial wellness.
Survey methodology: The survey, which was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of banking app Chime, was a random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 Americans in a serious relationship, engaged or married, split evenly by generation (500 Gen Z, 500 millennials, 500 Gen X and 500 baby boomers) was commissioned by Chime between Jan. 2 and Jan. 5, 2024. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
