You have probably heard that money is one of the biggest reasons for divorce in the United States. It divides couples. They can’t get past it. They end their marriages.
If you’re married, you may find yourself wondering why. Why is it that money causes these problems? Is it going to happen to you? What are the odds you get divorced?
Every case is different, but let’s take a look at some of the main reasons that money leads to divorce:
1. Couples do not share the same financial goals.
Maybe your spouse wants to save up so they can retire early. You, on the other hand, feel like the future isn’t guaranteed, so you want to enjoy life now. Both of you feel like the other is working against them. Your spouse feels like your activities are ruining their retirement, while you feel like their constant saving is holding you back from what you want to do in life.
2. Couples do not have the same attitudes about their money.
Some people take money very seriously. They’re careful with it. They treat it as something that is hard to come by. Others take a far more relaxed approach. They’ve always had enough, so they always assume they will. These differing attitudes can cause serious conflicts.
3. One person’s spending impacts the other.
Dating couples may notice that they spend money in different ways, but it doesn’t impact them directly — at least, not as often. Maybe when you were dating, you warned your spouse about their habits, but they didn’t care. Now you’re married, they still don’t care, and you feel like they’re spending everything you work so hard to earn.
4. They spend or earn without telling you.
Does your spouse keep secrets? Maybe they told you that something wasn’t expensive, only for you to find out it cost thousands. Maybe they got a raise at work and kept the extra for themselves, without telling you about it. This lack of communication can be a problem.
5. Couples have too much debt and it leads to stress.
Excessive debt gets stressful. Maybe you can’t afford to keep food on the table. Maybe you got evicted from your house. Even if the debt is the fault of both of you, that stress can really drive a wedge between you. You may end up deciding that you want a fresh start — and that includes ending the marriage.
Your options
When money problems threaten to end your marriage, you have to know what options you have. You need to know where you stand, what your rights are and what steps you can take.
