They say love can make you blind, but when it comes to money, a little clarity can save you a lot of stress. From hiding spending habits to living beyond their means, spotting financial red flags in a partner early on can help you build a healthier relationship with both your money and your other half in the long run. After all, some financial red flags can cost you far more than a broken heart!
With the season of love upon us, here are a few financial red flags to be on the lookout for:
Avoiding conversations about money
We know it’s not the most romantic conversation in the world, but if your partner shuts down any mention of the word “money”, this could be an indication that they’re hiding something from you.
Not every conversation needs to be an in-depth exploration into your financial affairs or involve swapping bank statements, but avoiding financial chats altogether could point to hidden debts they don’t want you to know about, which is an issue that could affect you both if you’re planning a future together.
Lying about spending habits
It’s normal not to want to share every detail of your spending, but if your partner is lying about how much money they have or what they spend it on, this could signal underlying money issues. Over time, this kind of behaviour could cause financial hardship for you and your family, potentially putting your lifelong savings and assets at risk.
Whether it’s hiding debt or misrepresenting their income, so-called ‘financial infidelity’ is a red flag that’s best unearthed sooner rather than later.
Living beyond their means
We all enjoy the occasional splurge, but if your partner consistently spends more than they earn, they could be in denial or unaware of the true state of their finances. Watch out for signs of them overspending despite having little to no income or relying heavily on credit to fund daily expenses.
Having an “it’ll work itself out” attitude is also something to be wary of, as this can suggest that they’re not only oblivious to the consequences of debt, but they have likely buried their head in the sand.
Expecting you to pay for everything
Feel like you’re the only one in the relationship who contributes financially? Whether it’s their share of the rent and bills or just the coffee tab, a refusal to pay for anything could mean they’re in a worse financial state than you think, especially if you have a similar income.
In some cases, they might even make you feel guilty for setting financial boundaries or use comments like “if you loved me, you would help me out” to pressure you into paying for them.
Lack of financial goals
Not everyone has clearly-defined financial goals. In fact, research from St James’s Place (SJP) shows that around 21% of UK adults have no financial aspirations for 2026, and 24% have none for the next decade.
However, if your partner is struggling financially and has no intention of improving their economic outlook, this could not only indicate a lack of direction but also a habit of impulsive spending, a mismatch which could be a significant source of tension in a relationship.
