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.
Scholars recently conducted a study on couples who self-reported having “great marriages,” meaning they had generally strong and successful partnerships.[3] The couples were asked about their marriage, and themes were drawn from responses that mentioned finances. Although this study had some excellent findings, analyses were done with a small, non-representative sample. The sample was also older, with many participants around the ages of 50-60. While researching the older population is very important, findings from an older population may not apply to everyone. However, several of the study’s findings align well with other family finance research.
One key financial principle practiced by couples in this study was having little to no debt[3] Reducing or avoiding debt relieved financial burdens and stress, which couples reported as a major benefit to financial and marital satisfaction. In addition to lowering stress, avoiding debt gave couples a shared financial goal to work toward together. Having common goals fostered unity and ensured that both partners were aligned in their financial decisions. This shared purpose further strengthened trust and communication, which were two central themes that helped couples successfully manage their finances. Many couples reflected that living with minimal debt provided a sense of financial freedom rather than negative tension that finances can bring.[2]
A second theme practiced by these couples was living within their means.[3] Couples in this study focused on managing their finances to meet their needs and wants while living frugally. Adopting this lifestyle meant they would not keep up with the flashy or unrealistic lifestyles of friends or neighbors and instead prioritize living fulfilling lives within their financial bandwidth. Couples reflected that living within their means allowed them to save money, focus on what truly mattered to them, and make necessary financial sacrifices to achieve their goals. Budgeting, couponing, and finding ways to save money are three accessible ways couples can practice living within their means.
Lastly, many couples in this study reported that one partner managing the day-to-day finances contributed to their financial and marital satisfaction.[3] Although this was a common financial practice among these (mostly older) couples, many other studies have found that equity and sharing in financial processes and management leads to positive outcomes in marriage.[4] Other research also shows that more financial integration (like sharing bank accounts and pooling your money together) can also result in fewer financial disagreements.[5] So, in most cases, research shows that more joint financial management leads to more positive outcomes than just one partner handling finances or handling finances separately. The findings from this study might contradict other research because of the specific age demographic. Perhaps these older couples may have experienced positive marital outcomes when one person was handling the finances because they were more likely than today’s average couple to adhere to traditional gender roles. All that said, couples should decide together what will work best for them in handling finances in their relationship, keeping in mind that most research has found that when couples pool their money and manage that money together, they enjoy healthier, happier relationships.
1. Trust and open communication serve as the foundation for successfully managing finances.
When determining which financial practices may work best in one’s own marriage, evaluating how trust and communication fit into those practices is an excellent place to begin. One application of this could be deciding on a specific amount of money that couples will not exceed spending without openly discussing it with their partner.
2. Communicate about the roles each partner plays in money management.
Although some couples report that it works well for one partner to handle day-to-day finances, most research has found that managing money together is a better approach. Couples should openly discuss what will work best in their relationship. Regardless of who manages the money, trust and open communication remain essential and must be maintained consistently. For example, if couples choose to divide up financial responsibilities based on each partner’s desires, abilities, or time, they should ensure that both spouses are fully informed and find ways for both spouses to be involved.
3. Avoid debt and live frugally.
Mindfulness about spending and saving habits are important to marital satisfaction. Practicing these principles in one’s own life and marriage may promote both financial freedom and marital satisfaction. One application of avoiding debt and living frugally could be implementing a shared savings goal for each month.
References:
[1] Lee, Y. G., & Dustin, L. (2021). Explaining financial satisfaction in marriage: The role of financial stress, financial knowledge, and financial behavior. Marriage & Family Review, 57(5), 397–421. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2020.1865229
[2] Driggs, T. M., LeBaron-Black, A. B., Saxey, M. T., Hill, E. J., James, S. L., Yorgason, J. B., & Holmes, E. K. (2025). All’s not fair in love and work: Financial distress, work-family spillover, and relationship satisfaction in newly-married couples. Community, Work & Family, 28(1), 115–135. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2023.2174411
[3] Skogrand, L., Johnson, A. C., Horrocks, A. M., & DeFrain, J. (2011). Financial management practices of couples with great marriages. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 32, 27–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-010-9195-2
[4] LeBaron, A. B., Holmes, E. K., Yorgason, J. B., Hill, E. J., & Allsop, D. B. (2019). Feminism and couple finance: Power as a mediator between financial processes and relationship outcomes. Sex Roles, 81(3/4), 140–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-018-0986-5
[5] Lim, H., & Morgan, P. (2021). Financial integration and financial conflict: Does less financial integration relate to increased financial conflict between romantic partners? Journal of Family & Economic Issues, 42(2), 273–281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-020-09703-x