Financial matters are the most common source of discord among American couples, prompting an average of three arguments per month, according to a national telephone survey conducted for the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) by Harris Interactive.
More than a quarter of those who are married or living with a partner said disagreements over money are most likely to prompt a spat. That made it the most volatile topic, ahead of arguments about children, chores, work or friends.
Financial arguments most often are over differing opinions of “needs” versus “wants,” with 58% of those who argue about money identifying this issue as the most common cause. About half most often argue about unexpected expenses and a third argue about insufficient savings.
Much of the relationship conflict can be traced to a failure to communicate about finances, according to the survey. More than half of adults who are married or living with a partner said they do not set aside time on a regular basis to talk about financial issues.