Lawyers who handle divorce cases say that many break-ups stem from money disputes.
Says lawyer Amolat Singh from Amolat Singh & Partners: 'It is true that in nine out of 10 cases, money is the root cause of marital problems.
'Ironically, it is both the lack of it and too much of it that lead to problems.'
For instance, less well-to-do couples come to the stark realisation after the honeymoon that everything - from paying for the home to the children's expenses - requires money.
Even in cases where one spouse was initially quite tolerant of the other spouse's financial excesses, the last straw came when the spouse ran up huge credit card bills and borrowed from illegal loan sharks.
This led to the family being subjected to harassment and embarrassment.
'For financially better-off couples, the allegations are usually that the husband keeps late nights, spends money in pubs with female company, dabbles in the share market and so on.
'Their woes become greater if one party gets retrenched or has to leave his job for whatever reason,' says Mr Singh.
Financial experts agree that good communication over finances is key to a healthy marriage.
Money tips for couples
Discuss and prioritise goals together
IT IS important for a couple to discuss their goals to ensure they are both on track to achieving them.
'Couples need to talk openly and honestly, and map out how they're going to achieve their goals financially, instead of leaving it to one person to deal with it,' said ipac senior client adviser Scott Mitchell, who is conducting a financial workshop for couples on May 24. This means that if you consult a financial planner, make sure you go together.
Senior client adviser at ipac, Ms Shikha Gaur, noted that it appears from the survey that couples in Singapore have great relationships when it comes to money because of the relatively low level of financial conflicts they have. But this may simply mean they don't talk about money.
'The lack of discussion between couples could also be the reason that half of the respondents said they have not planned together for retirement and do not feel financially secure,' she said.
After all, many people are brought up to believe money is a taboo subject, which is why they find it difficult to have serious discussions about it, she added.
Understanding your partner's money personality
OUR money behaviour is affected by our upbringing. Still, many couples are surprised at how different their partners' financial views are.
It is no wonder that 41 per cent of survey respondents say the greatest source of financial disagreements is the amount of personal spending. This includes squabbles over how much money is given to their respective parents on a regular basis.
Sometimes, one partner is more aggressive in expenditure while the other is conservative. This leads to arguments over bad investment decisions and unhappiness over why one person has greater control over the finances.
'Everyone has a different money personality. Often the love of our lives can be the financial Jekyll to our Hyde. The trick is to acknowledge each other's difference and make the most of each other's strengths,' said Mr Mitchell. He suggested that if one partner is detailed and organised, he should take charge of ensuring the bills are paid on time and managing the family budget.
Joint and separate fund
BUDGETS need not be restrictive. Once the household expenses are sorted out, calculate how much you can each spend and set aside joint and separate funds that can be used to pay for a fancy dinner or spa treats.
Respect each other's freedom to manage this spending money.
Regular reviews
ON A half-yearly basis, run through the family's finances together to ensure that you are on track. Take into account any changes that may affect your savings and investment plans.
After all, it is a team effort. And if anything should happen to one partner, the other knows where all the important documents are.
