Money is one of the leading causes of divorce. When couples run into financial issues, it can end the marriage.
Sometimes, this feels like it is completely out of their hands. Maybe there is a recession and the only spouse who is working loses their job. The other spouse stopped working to take care of the children. The stress of trying to raise kids on a limited or nonexistent income is just too much.
Other times, though, the issue lies with the couple more than the outside factors. For instance, maybe they both look at money differently and they don’t communicate well about their goals. Perhaps one person wants to spend and enjoy life, and they feel like the other person is constantly judging them or holding them back. Meanwhile, the other person likes the security of saving, and they feel like their spouse is stressing them out by spending instead of saving.
This isn’t to say that there is a right or a wrong viewpoint. The issue is that the expectations for how they will use the money are simply different. If they can’t communicate about what they want and what they need, or if they refuse to change even after that communication takes place, it can create a lot of financial stress. That too can lead to divorce over time.
If you find yourself in this position, it may feel like a divorce is the only real option you have to get life back on track and reclaim your identity. Make sure you are well aware of the steps you need to take to do so.
