When people get divorced, they cite a wide variety of reasons. These include things like infidelity, abuse or simply irreconcilable differences. In many cases, couples will point to financial disagreements or financial stress as the reason their marriage ended.
One reason this can happen is when spouses disagree on how they view money, giving them very different financial decision-making practices and goals. When two people have very different perspectives, it can create a lot of conflict in the relationship.
Spenders versus savers
For example, imagine that one person is inherently a saver. They view financial assets as something to stockpile and save for the future because of the stability and security they provide.
Naturally, they feel that this viewpoint is correct, and they may even assume that everyone else holds it. But that’s not necessarily true. Even if they think saving is the wise decision, their spouse could be a spender.
From the spender’s perspective, they want to use money to enjoy life. They’re not just interested in saving as much as possible. They may feel like the saver is being too controlling and trying to dictate all of their financial decisions. In the meantime, the saver may feel like their spouse is wasting money and making irresponsible choices.
Moving through a divorce
This isn’t to say that the spender or the saver is right—just that these are very different viewpoints. They can create a lot of financial stress and lead to conflicts that push a couple toward a divorce. When they are in this position, it is important for them to begin looking into all of their legal options.