If you have money problems in your marriage, it makes divorce more likely. That’s a simple truth that all couples have to face. Money often gets the credit for ending otherwise successful marriages.
This happens in a number of ways. For example, one partner may be more reckless than the other with their money. They buy what they want, not worrying about credit card debt. They spend money on things they don’t need.
The other person, however, is very careful never to spend money they don’t have. They also only buy the necessities, making exceptions to this rule only occasionally.
This can work while you’re dating and even for a short time during your marriage, but it causes problems. The conservative spouse feels like the other person is jeopardizing the family’s financial future and wasting all of their money. The other spouse, if told not to spend so much, feels like their spouse is holding them back and making life boring.
On both sides, the people begin to resent each other. This takes a toll.
Plus, if you really do run into serious financial problems — like bankruptcy and foreclosure — it simply adds a lot of stress to your life. Marriage already comes with its own stress, as does work and raising kids. The more you add on, the tougher it is to stay together. Couples eventually see that stress boil over into disagreements that they cannot move beyond.
If this happens to you and you decide it’s time to end your marriage, be sure you know what legal steps to take.