Feb 18, 2025
Two in five adults in committed relationships admit to being financially unfaithful in their relationships, according to a recent Bankrate survey.
That’s in spite of 45% of them believing it’s just as bad — if not more — as physically cheating.
Advertisement
These acts go beyond sneaking a few extra snacks into the grocery cart or picking up the tab for friends. Whether it’s taking on debt their partner isn’t aware of, spending more than mutually agreed upon or even secret checking, savings or credit accounts, financial infidelity happens when someone hides major financial decisions from their significant other.
But Ramit Sethi, author of Money for Couples, says it doesn’t have to be so difficult. Sethi’s worked with countless couples on his show, I Will Teach You To Be Rich, and he believes money can in fact be a source of joy and connection for couples.
Here’s how Sethi says couples can find compromise in their financial lives and invest in a solid future together.
Secrets are toxic to relationships
Keeping secrets was the most common financial infidelity respondents copped to in the Bankrate survey. A significant 33% said they’ve been guilty of secretly spending more money than their partner would be comfortable with. But that’s not the only secret they’re keeping — 23% admitted to hiding debts and 17% had secret credit cards.
But these secrets, whether omissions or lies, can take a real toll on relationships. A whopping 38% of Bankrate’s respondents say keeping a financial secret is equally as bad as physical infidelity, while 7% say it’s worse.
Sethi says he sees embracing financial transparency as seizing an opportunity to grow with a partner — whether that means planning a dream trip to Disneyland or investing in meaningful shared experiences.
Interestingly, the likelihood of financial infidelity seems to decline with age. Sixty-seven percent of Gen Zers in committed relationships have engaged in financial deception, compared to 54% of millennials.
Must Read
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — are you doing the same?
- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how
- Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year and begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
How to stay faithful
While there’s no one right way to manage money as a couple, one of the best ways to foster transparency is by creating a shared budget. That doesn’t have to mean tracking every dollar to the cent. What’s most important is ensuring both partners have a clear understanding of what’s being spent, saved and invested.
Advertisement
Another step is deciding how to structure your accounts — whether that means fully combining finances, keeping separate accounts with shared expenses, or opting for a hybrid approach. Sethi advocates for a hybrid approach, allowing partners to keep their independence while having a joint account.
“Every couple should have joint accounts, joint priorities, joint rich life vision and also you have your own money set aside for safety, security, for spending on the things you but only you love,” Sethi said.
Setting aside regular time to talk about money can make financial conversations feel less daunting and more natural. Sethi suggests keeping these chats short and stress-free check-ins — just 15 minutes, and definitely not right before bed.
The goal shouldn’t be to tackle everything at once but to create an open dialogue where both partners feel comfortable discussing financial goals, adjusting budgets and addressing any concerns.
These check-ins aren’t just about crunching numbers; they’re about maintaining trust and ensuring both partners feel heard. When money becomes a regular, judgment-free topic of conversation, there’s less room for secrecy — and less risk of financial betrayal.
You May Also Like
- Turning 50 with $0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. Here are 6 ways to catch up fast
- Inside a $1B real estate fund offering access to thousands of income-producing rental properties — with flexible minimums starting at $10
- Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
- Here are 5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé. You can start with $10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing)
Victoria Vesovski is a Toronto-based Staff Reporter at Moneywise, where she covers the intersection of personal finance, lifestyle and trending news. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, a postgraduate certificate in Publishing from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Master’s degree in American Journalism from New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. Her work has been featured in publications including Apple News, Yahoo Finance, MSN Money, Her Campus Media and The Click.
