Keeping quiet about your finances can put your dating life in danger: survey

Six in ten Americans have a “financial secret” they’ve hidden from others, according to new research.The new survey of 2,000 Americans found that 59% admit to keeping some sort of financial secret, with 11% admitting they keep a separate bank account their partner doesn’t know about.One in five (21%) say they secretly have a bad credit score, 16% silently struggle with significant credit card debt, and 14% even keep their gambling habits from loved ones.Three in 10 respondents (30%) admitted hiding a purchase or financial decision from a spouse, partner, or family member, while nearly one-quarter (23%) said someone close to them had hidden one from them.The study, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of TD Bank U.S., also found that money matters when it comes to dating.Financial stability is a key consideration for many Americans when looking for something serious, with 72% citing it as important in a partner.That includes 41% who said it is very important that a partner be financially stable and able to help support the household when needed.Only 6% of all those polled said they don’t consider a potential partner’s financial situation at all when deciding whether or not to continue the relationship.Nearly half of Americans (46%) said someone’s debt or financial habits would impact their willingness to pursue a relationship.Interestingly, younger Americans were more likely to feel this way, with millennials (51%) and Gen Z (49%) being much more likely to agree than Gen X (39%) and baby boomer respondents (39%).Most Americans believe couples should combine their finances at some point, but the data revealed there’s some disagreement about when that should happen.

Thirty percent say marriage is the right time, while 13% say finances should be combined after moving in together and 12% believe it is appropriate while seriously dating.However, 13% say couples should skip it entirely and keep their money completely separate.The survey also found that m...