Do you want a better marriage? Then tell the truth about money.

Ever hid money from your spouse? Ever bought something and just kept it to yourself? Got a credit card only you know about? Turns out you are not alone. According to Credit Karma, 17% of millennials confessed to hiding purchases from their spouse, while 11 % said they had a hidden bank account or credit card.^[1]

Here are some thoughts to consider:

• Nothing is really hidden, at least not forever. No matter how smart you are or how diligent you are or how good you are at keeping secrets, the truth will come out.^[2]
• The issue will be trust not money. It is easy to trick yourself into believing that a small money matter won’t matter that much. When the hidden money matter is revealed, however, the real issue won’t be about money. It will be about trust. Marriage can survive without money. It cannot survive without trust.
• Little habits become big lifestyles. All those little things you have to do to keep a money matter secret become habits. The habits you develop to cover up a small money matter establish a lifestyle of deception that limits intimacy and authenticity. Generally, you will receive out of a marriage what you invest in it. Which would you rather receive?

So here is the good news: you get to choose. Just tell the truth. Your marriage will survive no money. It will not survive no trust.

And that’s what you’re doing when you’re hiding, when you’re hiding your credit cards or even bank accounts. You are creating an atmosphere that cannot be trusted.

Relationships just will not survive in a no trust situation.

So if you want a better marriage, tell the truth about money.

Want a better marriage? Say her name

Want a better marriage? Be Right here. Right now.

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