"This survey proves that when it comes to arguments between loved ones, money trumps everything else, including children, work, job security - and even sex," says Lynette Khalfani-Cox, author and personal finance expert. "What's different this year is the added pressure from the recession. Even if people are still employed, they are worried about losing their jobs and making ends meet, and it's bringing more conflict into the home."
In some countries, ignorance is bliss when it comes to financial matters. Couples in the Netherlands tend to avoid discussions about money, likewise reporting the least amount of finance-related arguments. On the contrary, couples in the U.S. and Mexico are the most likely to openly discuss their finances and report the highest instances of household arguments related to money.
In addition to arguing, at least 10 percent of couples surveyed say they have ended a relationship due at least in part to financial issues. The United States and Mexico ranked the highest at 14 percent, the Netherlands the lowest at 5 percent. Respondents also differed greatly in the amount of debt they currently hold. In Mexico, only 15 percent of respondents claimed no debt, versus 51 percent in Italy and roughly a quarter of U.S. and Australian respondents.
Around the world, well over half of all couples are keeping separate bank accounts. In the 2008 online population survey, 71 percent of UK respondents and about half (46 percent) of Americans reported having separate accounts from their partners. This year, those numbers are even higher: 80 percent of UK couples and 57 percent of Americans have separate accounts. Moreover, more couples in the U.S. are hiding purchases from their partners this year: about 23 percent reported doing so, versus 18 percent in 2008. For the second year in a row, clothing is by far the most likely purchase that women will hide from their partners, according to the survey.
St. Valentine Still Smiling
Despite the financial turmoil, gifts still equal romance on Valentine's Day. In the United States, 70 percent of respondents who are in a relationship give gifts to their significant others. Mexico, however, tops Valentine's gift giving with 79 percent of respondents planning to buy something for their loved ones this year. Around the world, Valentine's Day cards remain the number one purchase, followed closely by dinner dates. In the UK and the Netherlands, romantic getaways are popular. Chivalry is still alive in all countries, with men giving more gifts on Valentine's Day than women.
Other Global Findings
- American couples typically bring the largest levels of debt into relationships (51 percent) while most couples in Italy and the Netherlands say they have no debt.
- Money is the number one cause of arguments among U.S. couples (31 percent) followed by household chores (28 percent), in-laws (22 percent) and sex (15 percent).
- Finances are least troublesome among couples in the Netherlands and the UK, where less than 20 percent of couples argue about money. Financial issues are the most troublesome in Australia, Mexico and the U.S. where more than 30 percent of couples have money issues.
- More Americans are going online to find a date this year. In 2008, one out of five respondents tried online dating; this year, 25 percent have taken the plunge.
