Some couples tell each other absolutely everything, but new research suggests quite a few people are hiding details about one area of their lives from their partners. It’s nothing to do with exes, past relationships, or cheating, but their finances. It turns out, 59% of Americans admit to keeping some sort of “financial secret” hidden from their partner, according to a new survey.
The poll of 2-thousand adults across the country reveals that the biggest one is secretly having a bad credit score, something one in five (21%) confess to.
- Three in 10 (30%) admit to hiding a purchase or financial decision from a spouse, partner or family member and almost a quarter (23%) say someone close has hidden one from them.
- The thing is, money matters when it comes to dating, as 72% say financial stability is important in a partner. That includes 41% who say it’s very important for their partner to be financially stable and help support the household as needed.
- Nearly half (46%) say someone’s debt or financial habits may keep them from wanting to pursue a relationship and just 6% say they don’t consider someone’s financial situation at all when deciding whether to get romantically involved.
- Most Americans think couples should combine their finances at some point, but they disagree about the right time to do so. For 30%, marriage is the time to mix money, while 13% say it should be when they move in together and 12% believe it should be while seriously dating.
- Only 13% of respondents say couples should always keep their finances totally separate.
- According to the survey, a lot of adults still lean on loved ones for financial support. Two-thirds have gotten some kind of financial assistance from friends or family for everyday bills (24%), emergency bills (21%), debt payments (15%), and rent or mortgage payments (15%).
- Respondents have taken an average of $12,252 in financial support since becoming “financially independent,” but 31% have taken less than $1,000, and for 17% it’s been $25-thousand or more over time.
- It goes both ways, as 71% have also helped a loved one out financially when they needed it.
The Biggest Financial Secrets Americans Keep Hidden
- Bad credit score - 21%
- Significant credit card debt - 16%
- Gambling hobby - 14%
- Bank account their partner doesn't know about - 11%
- Unpaid student loans - 9%
- Child support payments/alimony - 6%
- Bankruptcy - 5%
Source: Talker