There are many reasons why we fall in love, but there’s one big reason we fall out of it: money.
Valentine’s Day is looming, and every year leading up to the lovers’ holiday, companies commission opinion polls for two purposes:
- Learn what those lovers are willing to spend, and on what products, so they can focus their sales efforts.
- Get free publicity from websites like this one, who will share the intriguing results.
Here are my favorite money-related Valentine’s Day surveys – and the most interesting tidbits…
Hiding money from the one you love
Have you ever spent more than $100 without telling our partner? According to CreditCards.com, 41% of us have. Meanwhile, 19% have hidden purchases of more than $500.
Who are the worst offenders? “Men are almost twice as likely as women to have spent more than $500 without notifying their spouse or partner,” CreditCards.com says.
Why we break up
Being “secretive about finances” is one big reason relationships fail, according to GOBankingRates. Nearly 36% of couples say that’s their “biggest financial turnoff.” That’s just shy of the nearly 38% who say “overspending” is what drags down their relationships. Next on the list is “too much debt” at just over 32%.
Interestingly, being “too cheap” is just under 20%. The conclusion? We’re turned off more by spending too much than too little.
And now for some good news
Love-and-money research isn’t always depressing. GOBankingRates also asked, “How much do you feel should be spent on an engagement ring?” The results were encouraging: 36% aid less than $1,000 and only 17% said, “money is no object.”
Now, I’m not a cold-hearted or unromantic person, but I’ve seen too many couples overspend on their engagement and wedding – then argue about money so much, it tears apart their relationship. As you can see from the previous studies, that’s a major reason couples split up.
Conclusion: Love is powerful stuff, but money can erode it over time if you’re not careful.