HOUSTON—
According to a recent survey by American Express, more people are lying to each other about spending money. It's called financial infidelity and it's a growing concern in the Houston area. As 39 News learned, the No. 1 thing married couples fight most about is money.Those spending habits and not letting your partner know about what's going on is causing some to call it quits. Houston attorney, Ellen Yarrell, is no stranger to working with clients who are in debt because of too much secret spending.
"It's very common in family law that financial issues become the most predominant issues that couples argue about," said Yarrell.
Arguing about money could lead to divorce for some, but what about financial infidelity? Apparently it's becoming a form of adultery.
"The concept of financial infidelity does kind of parallel with other issues in relationships when then there is a breach of trust," said Yarrell.
That feeling of not trusting your significant other can lead to serious problems.
"I think sometimes it's the speculative nature of spending that bothers people more than just the infidelity type of paramour spending," said Yarrell.
Gambling, drug and alcohol habits as well as too much online shopping can strain a relationship on many levels.
"Day traders, for instance, sometimes can get way out of hand because it's almost like an addiction to be online to be trading and spending money, and the other spouse usually doesn't know," said Yarrell.
It gets so serious that some attorney's have to hire forensic computer experts to investigate online spending.
"And so the person who's not doing the regular checking could be in for a big surprise if they start checking and see the spending habits of the other person," said Yarrell.
Irresponsible spending can clearly be the difference between staying together or filling for a divorce.
"It's very devastating to find out that their spouse - that they trusted - has been spending money and causing debt, and rising to the level of having to file bankruptcy," said Yarrell.
