5 Ways Couples Can Curb Financial Stress

Finding common ground on financial problems relies on establishing financial alignment, according to strategies suggested by Take Charge America.

Brian O'Connell

Published: 5/26/2025, 3:52:17 PM EDT

5 Ways Couples Can Curb Financial Stress — A couple holding hands. (Shutterstock)

A curveball has been thrown at household family finances in 2025, with tariff wars, rising inflation, high consumer costs, and squeezed budgets taking their toll on bank accounts and couples’ relationships.

That’s a problem, as data show money is the biggest trigger for arguments among spouses and partners. According to Fidelity’s 2024 Couples and Money report, 45 percent of U.S. couples admit they argue about money at least occasionally, and approximately 25 percent cite money as their biggest relationship challenge. The top money-related disagreement was how much savings is needed to retire, with 53 percent of couples citing it as an issue.

Finding common ground on financial problems relies on establishing financial alignment, according to strategies suggested by Take Charge America, an Arizona-based nonprofit credit counseling agency.

“Unclear roles and inconsistent money habits can quietly strain a relationship and, over time, lead to financial setbacks that are difficult to bounce back from,” said Manuel Salazar, chief executive officer at Take Charge America, in a press release, adding that talking openly allows the couple to establish a system with shared goals and work toward long-term success.

Here are five key action steps couples can take to secure the money management part of their lives, according to Salazar and other personal finance experts.

1. Talk it out. The first task is to talk about money openly and honestly.

“To reduce financial stress, couples need to first recognize that their differing views on money may reflect their differing values, not just habits,” Marigny deMauriac, chief executive officer at deMauriac Certified Financial Planning in New Orleans, told NTD by email.

“Understanding where each other is coming from is key. Once you understand the 'why' behind your financial habits, it's easier to navigate the 'how' involved in creating a sound financial plan for your household,” she said.

Couples should also create a safe space for open conversations. “Many times, past experiences or communication styles get in the way,” deMauriac added. “It’s essential that both partners have an equal voice and feel heard. Having a shared goal, like securing financial independence for both partners, can help shift the focus toward active listening and teamwork.”

2. Automate money management. To further decrease financial stress, finance experts suggest automating money management whenever possible.

“Automating payments for bills, transfers into savings, and even investment into retirement accounts such as IRAs and 401(k)s can avoid the possibility of missing payments and the necessity of having to monitor constantly,” Dat Ngo, a licensed CPA, personal finance expert, and senior analyst at securities trading review site Vetted Prop Firms, told NTD via email. “Doing so removes a certain amount of the daily friction involved with handling money.”

3. Play to your financial strengths. Aim to divide money management duties according to each individual’s strengths.

“For example, one partner pays the bills and the other monitors investment or savings objectives,” Ngo said. “When both individuals feel included and up-to-speed, it’s a job that is shared rather than imposed on one individual.”

4. Agree on payment responsibilities. Take Charge America notes that partners often bring different incomes, expenses, and financial obligations to the relationship. “Deciding how to divide shared costs, whether it's 50/50 or proportional to income, helps prevent misunderstandings and resentment,” according to Salazar.

5. Set ground rules. Salazar also advises couples to create “ground rules” for household spending by establishing expense thresholds—for $100-and-over purchases, for instance—that can’t be cleared unless both parties agree.

Creating spending limits can boost household budget transparency, curb money misunderstandings, and set shared rules for making financial decisions.

Above All, Establish Trust

Reducing household money management anxiety is about creating trust on all relationship levels. People who generate that trust say it’s well worth the effort.

“Having clear financial boundaries has been a game changer for my husband and me,” Julian Kohlbrand, a Seattle-based certified financial coach and host of the Debt Rebel Podcast, told NTD by email.

Previously, the couple had different views on spending their money.

“We’ve since decided to work together to set big money goals and what we plan to do to achieve those goals,” she noted. “Since we enjoy spending money, we each get a pre-budgeted amount as discretionary funds. Those funds can be spent; however, we are quiet about each other's spending habits as long as it remains within that mutually-agreed-upon amount.”

Kohlbrand also believes financial stress worsens when people think they can handle budget burdens alone. “It doesn't get better as time goes on,” she said. “Talk about it early and often and save your relationship. Money is a tool to create shared experiences and build a life together.”

The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. NTD does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. NTD holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.