The newlywed period is a critical transition for couples.[1] Nearly all newlyweds face financial stress, which can affect many aspects of marriage, including marital satisfaction[2] and sexual satisfaction.[3],[4] When couples experience disagreements or challenges around money, they are also more likely to encounter conflicts in their sexual relationship[5] because financial stress can create tension, reduce emotional intimacy, and make it harder for partners to feel connected or relaxed with each other.

Money may not buy love, but it can definitely shape the balance of power in a relationship. For generations, men have been seen as the providers—the ones who bring home the paycheck and, in turn, hold decision-making power. What happens when that script flips and she earns more? Does power in marriage shift with income, or do old gender roles still quietly steer the relationship?

Imagine sitting at the dinner table with your spouse. It is common to discuss different aspects of your day such as people in your social circle or perhaps your job. However, even couples who communicate well about everyday events often have a hard time talking about sex and money, which are important aspects of a relationship. In a new social science theoretical model, it has been proposed that money and sex are both taboo topics that are often regarded as crude, unrefined, low, or even dirty.[i] Probably not considered appropriate dinner-time conversation material.

Ever wonder why some couples can calmly discuss finances while others spiral into arguments over spending? Money disagreements are one of the top stressors for romantic relationships, but the fights are often less about dollars and cents than they are about fairness, responsibility, and the values each partner brings to the table. Imagine a couple sitting down to pay bills, and one partner notices the other spent $200 on new headphones without mentioning it. The argument that follows isn’t really about the headphones—it’s about trust, responsibility, and whether money is being handled fairly. So, what is the difference between couples? In their 2023 study, Peetz, Meloff, and Royle explored exactly this, looking at what couples fight about when money is involved, which disagreements affect satisfaction, and which ones tend to cause the most stress.¹ They analyzed hundreds of financial conflict descriptions from reddit posts and recollections from married couples to uncover what couples actually fight about, which disagreements connect to relationship satisfaction, and which types of money conflicts are most harmful. In this article, I’ll explain what they found, why it matters, and how understanding these patterns can help couples approach money conversations with more empathy and less stress.

Many couples face issues with credit card debt, installment loans, and other forms of consumer debt. Most people understand that debt affects financial well-being, but debt can also impact marital relationships—and even increase the risk of divorce! A study involving 4,574 couples found that consumer debt not only strains family finances but can also increase marital conflicts, lower marital satisfaction, and even increase the likelihood of divorce.[1]

In an attempt to stay informed, I keep up with the news. I find myself fascinated by crazy and scary stories. The feeling part of my brain activates as I wade through article after article which consistently seem to share bleak and dark news. So why do I even bring that up? My point is that it is easy to look at the news and feel like there is no hope for the future. One example of this potential for despondence is a rising national (U.S.) debt and a culture that almost promotes and perpetuates debt. This environment can make it easier to make poor financial decisions. My hope is that by sharing some recent research, we might all find a little more hope in the financial outlook of the nation, families, and individuals.

Finances can be both one of the most stressful and one of the most important topics in marriage.[1] The way couples manage finances impacts not only financial satisfaction but also relationship satisfaction, for better or for worse.[2] Financial management can be connected to marital stability, satisfaction, disagreements, and conflict. Evidently, finances hold a lot of weight. Because it is such a heavy, consuming topic, careful consideration of how finances fit into one’s marriage can be vital to a marriage’s success.

Ever wonder why some couples can calmly talk through a budget while others spiral into shouting matches over spending? Money disagreements are one of the top stressors for couples—but what if the way you learned about money as a kid could help keep those fights at bay? That’s the question Dr. Ashley Larsen Gibby and colleagues explored in their 2021 study.1 They looked at how both implicit and explicit childhood financial lessons affect couples’ ability to handle money disagreements in marriage. In this article, I’ll explain what they found, why it matters, and how your own childhood money experiences might be your secret weapon (or crutch to overcome) for smoother financial talks with your partner.

Marriage requires the sharing of many things. There is a shift from individual goals and mindsets to setting goals as a couple, a change in focus and a new pattern, strengthening and supporting each other, and everything in between. During this adjustment, financial questions are often top of mind. How should we handle finances? Who handles the budgeting, income, and savings? Is it one partner, both, or something in between? And is one way of approaching it better than another approach? These questions are similar to those asked by researchers who sought to better understand how financial management roles influenced couple relationships.1,2,3

Retirement. The dream within a dream. The eventual likelihood for every working person and often a major goal and milestone for many people. Yet there is also sometimes a less talked-about but essential aspect to retirement. I term it a perpetual gloom and doom for some, with the hopes and dreams of fun, worthwhile, and fulfilling retirement being met with disappointment as financial worry overshadows it all. But are financial worries about retirement really such a big deal today? Do people still see them as a regular part of the retirement experience?

Money and marriage…when put together, they can be a recipe for stress and strain. But what if there was a way to handle money worries without letting them harm your relationship? New research shows that financial concerns don’t always spell doom for a relationship. In fact, some couples can feel stressed about money and still report being happy together. How? That’s what Drs. Brandan Wheeler and Cecilia Brooks1 set out to explore. They studied how financial worries, relationship happiness, and money management behaviors are connected among married and cohabiting couples. Their findings reveal that how you handle money matters just as much—if not more—than whether you feel financially stressed in the first place. In other words, the strategies couples use around money can act as a protective factor, helping them stay close even when finances are tight.

Money can do more than stress a relationship; it can quietly shape who holds power in a couple. But it doesn’t have to be a source of tension. A study by Dr. Xiaomin Li and colleagues examined how financial communication, power imbalances, and even “social sabotage” show up in different-gender couples in the U.S.1 Put simply, the way partners talk about money and make decisions together can either bring them closer or create subtle tension. The study highlights three key dynamics that shape relationships: how open communication fosters fairness, how power imbalances emerge when communication falters, and how certain behaviors can quietly undermine trust.

Newlywed life is like building a bridge together, and its stability depends on two essential pillars: trust and communication.[1] This period is not only a crucial time for redefining relationship norms, but also a period of some of the most heightened emotional fluctuations and shifts in relationship satisfaction.[2] That makes it especially important to understand how trust and communication interact. Trust is an inner assurance that your partner will make decisions that benefit both of you[3] and serves as the foundation for positive interaction.[4] Communication is more than exchanging words; it’s about expressing respect, empathy, and affirmation, especially when one partner is feeling vulnerable.[5]

Ever wonder why some couples seem totally in sync when it comes to managing money, while others can’t agree on whether to save, spend, or invest? The start of those habits often occurs early in life. In their 2014 study, BYU researchers Scott Payne and colleagues looked at how financial lessons from childhood can shape how well couples manage money together.¹ How you learned to handle money as a kid—whether through direct lessons or by observing your parents’ habits—can influence whether you and your partner develop healthy financial teamwork, including decisions about long-term goals like retirement or everyday spending.

Hannah is extremely disciplined with her money. She keeps track of every cent, saves regularly, and maintains a strict budget. She is proud of her spending habits because she knows exactly where her money is going. These habits lead her to feel financially secure and satisfied. Josh, on the other hand, tends to use his money impulsively. He does not like to budget or save very much, and his financial situation often stresses him, leading him to feel financially frustrated. What happens when these two mindsets come together in a relationship? Would their finances follow Hannah’s financial expertise or Josh’s haphazard ways? According to research, there are certain outcomes that these two lovebirds could potentially expect.

You probably know your partner's favorite takeout order or Netflix show. But do you know how they feel about money? Not just the budget stuff—but their deep-down beliefs about what money means. These beliefs, called money scripts, can influence your behaviors, your conversations, and your connection with your partner.[1]

In Disney’s film Up, you learn about Carl and Ellie—a young couple filled with aspirations and adventurous spirits. Shortly after getting married, they purchased a fixer-upper house because it was likely all they could afford as a newlywed couple. To save money, Carl and Ellie sawed, nailed, and polished their house until it felt more like a home. After some planning, they prepared for an addition to their home: Carl and Ellie delicately hung toy blimps over a crib and trimmed the back wall with a hand-painted stork. The next time you see this overjoyed couple, however, they’re in a dark hallway under the ominous glow of a pale-lit doctor’s office. Ellie has her face buried in her palms—they can’t have children. She isn’t alone, though; about one-tenth of all couples struggle with infertility.[1]

Money is the last thing I want to talk about with my friends and family. Money is sensitive, personal, and a bit taboo. However, it is a vital resource to get the things we want and need in life! Seeking advice can be considered an important resource as well!1 Dr. Melissa Curran and her colleagues dove deeper into the idea of resources, specifically with consideration to seeking advice from family and friends.