Tips on Surviving Financial Infidelity
Divorce can result from many things, but financial reasons are chief among the causes. Most people have made purchases outside your agreed upon budget then lied to hide the evidence or made purchases without clarifying just how much the totals came to. Making decisions to put you and your spouse at financial risk can create trust problems that could ultimately lead to divorce down the road.
The best way to avoid these problems is to keep the lines of communication open and to talk candidly with your significant other about your finances. Suzanna de Baca of the Huffington Post offers the following tips for keeping conversation open and honest.
- Agree on financial goals and stick to a mutually agreed upon budget :: Discuss your larger financial goals and be honest. What do you both want long-term and short-term? If you disagree then discuss how you’ll compromise and set common goals.
- Discuss your money styles :: Everyone handles money differently and you need to be open about those differences. Are you an impulse buyer or are you a comparison shopper? If your styles differ wildly then you might want to consider opening separate accounts.
- Forgive and forget, but take care of yourself :: If your loved one commits financial infidelity then weigh the situation and sit down and talk about the problem. If the action was especially egregious or was the second time, be honest about your feelings and how to move forward in the future.
- Have regular financial conversations :: Having a trusted professional as part of the conversation can make a tough conversation easier. If you and your spouse cannot agree on priorities then setting up a regular meeting with a financial planner to serve as a mediator might be a good idea.
If you or someone you know is facing such a stressful divorce, you need the help of an experienced South Carolina family law attorney to guide you through the complicated process.
Source: “Are You a Victim of Financial Infidelity?,” by Suzanna de Baca, published at HuffingtonPost.com.
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