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Home›Variable Rate Loans›The most common money is in relationships

The most common money is in relationships

By Mary M. Cox
February 13, 2022
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Select’s editorial team works independently to review financial products and write articles that we think our readers will find useful. We may receive a commission if you click on links for products from our affiliate partners.

Financial struggles can be a major hurdle in romantic relationships, with nearly a third (30%) of couples struggling with financial infidelity in the past year, according to a recent US News & World Report survey.

Similar to romantic infidelity, financial infidelity is when a partner consciously chooses not to tell the truth, but in this case it’s about money.

While financial infidelity certainly comes in a variety of forms, the survey results showed that the biggest money-related lies to come out of relationships related to secret purchases (31.4%), hiding debt (28.7%) and dishonesty the income (22.6%) were.

These numbers help paint a broader picture of how much money impacts our partnerships. An important part of lying to your spouse about the massive credit card debt you may have, or your partner being dishonest about how much money they really make, is gaining a better understanding of your own personal financial management and that of the spouse others to get skills.

“Couples probably have different levels of financial literacy,” Beverly Harzog, credit card expert at US News & World Report, tells Select. “What’s important is that they can grow together and compromise when it comes to budgeting and spending. There are so many resources to increase your financial knowledge like books, websites and free apps.”

In short, having a good understanding of how your money works and where your money goes can help you avoid financial infidelity down the road. From reducing debt to proactive budgeting, it’s important to use resources to be on the same wavelength.

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There is a strong correlation between financial infidelity and large debt burdens

For many couples, carrying debt can make or break a relationship—especially when one partner is unaware of the other’s financial burden.

According to the US News survey, more than half of the couples who experienced financial infidelity were also heavily in debt. On the other hand, of those who did not experience financial infidelity, only 22.7% were in debt.

Coping with your debt, or at least Talking about it openly with your partner is a good first step to getting on the same page. “Couples have to agree on reducing debt,” says Harzog. “They set a common financial goal and must work together to achieve it.”

What to do if you or your partner have credit card debt?

“Most importantly [credit card] Issuers have apps they can use to track their spending,” says Harzog. Once you’ve decided on a debt reduction strategy, reduce spending to reach your goal.”

Prepaid transfer cards offer no interest on prepaid transfers for a set period of time – typically a minimum of six months and up to 21 months. During the introductory period with 0% APR you can pay off your debt without having to pay expensive interest. For example, both the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card and the Citi Simplicity® Card offer an introductory interest rate of 0% for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of the first transfer (thereafter a variable APR of 13.74% to 23.74% on the Citi Diamond Preferred and a variable APR ranging from 14.74% to 24.74% on the Citi Simplicity). All transfers must be made within the first 4 months. The balance transfer fee for each card is $5 or 5% of the transfer amount, whichever is greater.

Citi Simplicity® card

  • reward

  • welcome bonus

  • Annual fee

  • Introduction APR

    0% for 21 months on balance transfers; 0% for 12 months on purchases

  • Regular APR

    14.74% to 24.74% variable

  • transfer fee

    5% of each balance transfer; At least $5

  • foreign transaction fee

  • credit required

Another great option that can also help you earn money back on your expenses is the Citi® Double Cash Card. This card offers no interest on balance transfers for the first 18 months (13.99% to 23.99% variable APR thereafter). Cardholders receive 2% cashback on all eligible purchases (1% at purchase and an additional 1% after the credit card bill is settled). Remember that interest will accrue after the 0% effective introductory period has expired, so you should ensure you withdraw your funds within this interest-free period.

Citi® Double Cash Card

  • reward

    2% Cashback: 1% on all qualifying purchases and an additional 1% after paying your credit card bill

  • welcome bonus

  • Annual fee

  • Introduction APR

    0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers; N/A for purchases

  • Regular APR

    13.99% – 23.99% variable on purchases and balance transfers

  • transfer fee

    Prepaid transfers made within 4 months of account opening will incur a prepaid transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5). After that, a transfer fee of 5% of each transfer (minimum $5) will apply

  • foreign transaction fee

  • credit needed

What to do if you or your partner have student loans?

Does your spouse need some motivation to finally pay off their student loan debt?

Apps like Chipper have a special round-up feature that allows users to break up their student loans using the loose change from their daily groceries. This tool to use on top of users who make the minimum monthly payment on their student loans ensures that you are constantly spending money on your loans without having to think too much about it.

Chipper can also help you or your partner develop a student loan repayment strategy by connecting the user to forgiveness programs and income-based repayment plans to potentially help lower monthly payments.

For private student loan borrowers, it’s worth considering refinancing your student loans at a lower interest rate — especially now that we expect to see rate hikes in March. Refinancing your student loans gives you the chance to earn a lower interest rate, and you can increase or decrease your loan term depending on how quickly you want to pay off your loans. This could make your monthly payments more manageable and save you money in the long run.

Refinancing SoFi student loans is a great option for borrowers who want to refinance at a lower interest rate while still having some protection should something change in their financial situation. To get even better refinancing terms or lower rates, applicants with a lower credit rating can also apply with a co-signer.

Check out Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, technology and tools, wellbeing and more, and keep following us Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

Editorial note: Any opinion, analysis, review, or recommendation expressed in this article is solely that of Select’s editors and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any third party.

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