# Almost half of Brits don’t know what their partners earn Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2017-11-16 Category: FINANCE Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/finance Meta Title: British Couples Open Up About Finances: Shocking Statistics Meta Description: Discover eye-opening insights from a Portafina study revealing that 49% of UK couples keep their finances secret in relationships. Learn more now. URL: https://financedigest.com/almost-half-of-brits-dont-know-what-their-partners-earnhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/fd161117-11-1736843252847-compressed.jpg) - British couples confess to not being open about their finances with their other half (49%) - One in ten Brits think their partner has secret outgoings - Brits admit to researching their partner’s earnings rather than asking (7%) It may not be ‘first date’ material, but at some point, all or most couples will have the “money talk”. However, new research conducted by pension advice specialist, Portafina, reveals that 49% of British couples are not [open about their finances](https://www.financedigest.com/open-finance-can-help-unlock-innovation-across-the-financial-ecosystem.html "Open Finance can help unlock innovation across the financial ecosystem") with their other half. The findings highlighted that 47% of British couples don’t know their partner’s exact annual salary, with some (7%) admitting to researching their [partner’s earnings instead of asking](https://www.financedigest.com/italys-cdp-and-partners-ask-tim-for-more-time-for-network-deal.html "Italy’s CDP and partners ask TIM for more time for network deal"). Money can often be an uncomfortable subject to talk about, but how much should you [know](https://www.financedigest.com/top-8-must-know-personal-finance-facts-for-2023.html "Top 8 Must-Know Personal Finance Facts for 2023") about your partner’s financial situation when you’re in a committed relationship? Speaking about this, one in ten (10%) Brits revealed they think their partner has outgoings they [don’t know](https://www.financedigest.com/women-in-technology-that-you-should-know-but-probably-dont.html "Women In Technology That You Should Know (But Probably Don’t)") about, whilst 18% said they knew their partner has/did have debt, and used to/does gamble (11%) – all have had a negative impact on their relationships. Of course, as a relationship grows, so will knowledge of an ‘other half’s’ finances. The study revealed that a large percentage of couples who have been together 26+ years (70%) know exactly what their partner earns, compared to those that have been together for four years (27%). Commenting on his experience of financial difficulties when in a relationship, Raymond Baxter, founder of The Relationship Blogger said: “Seven years ago, my wife and I both lost our jobs. With a small child to support, we soon burned through our savings and were forced to resort to payday loans. Two [years later and a week](https://www.financedigest.com/u-s-labor-market-powers-ahead-as-weekly-jobless-claims-fall-layoffs-hit-24-year-low.html "U.S. labor market powers ahead as weekly jobless claims fall, layoffs hit 24-year low") before I was going to declare us both bankrupt, we had racked up over £30,000 in debt. “We’ve just entered into an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement), and I can finally breathe easily about money. I took responsibility for our [money problems](https://www.financedigest.com/the-problem-with-current-anti-money-laundering-processes-a-lack-of-context.html "The problem with current Anti-Money Laundering processes: A lack of context") and it was important that I kept my wife informed every step of the way. Without keeping her 100% informed, and without us both [holding each other accountable](https://www.financedigest.com/is-your-accounting-software-holding-you-hostage.html "Is your accounting software holding you hostage?") for our spending habits, I hate to think where we would be today. Rhian Westbury, from Watford added: “My partner does have quite a bit of credit card debt which we spoke about at the start of our relationship. We’ve put off moving in together and I’ve helped him sort out his finances with a payment plan. I’m so glad he was honest with me from the start because this way he can clear his debt and improve his credit rating, so when we are ready to [buy our house](https://www.financedigest.com/buying-a-house-for-the-first-time.html "Buying a house for the first time"), we should hopefully get a good mortgage.” Speaking about the findings, Jamie Smith-Thompson, managing director at Portafina said: “Whether you’re just getting serious with your partner, moving in together, or getting married, speaking and working on financial issues as a team will help you both [stay](https://www.financedigest.com/four-reasons-emil-michael-stays-passionate-about-tech-and-finance.html "Four Reasons Emil Michael Stays Passionate About Tech and Finance") informed and allow you to support each other through any hiccups. “Money can be a sensitive subject to talk about, and the last thing you want is your financial situation to negatively [impact your relationship](https://www.financedigest.com/why-it-pays-to-pay-on-time-the-impact-of-delayed-payments-on-supplier-relationships.html "Why it pays to pay on time: The impact of delayed payments on supplier relationships"). The [research revealed](https://www.financedigest.com/new-research-reveals-the-countries-leaving-cash-behind.html "New research reveals the countries leaving cash behind") that the secret to a happy and healthy relationship is being open and honest with your partner about everything including your finances, treating money as one, saving together and having the same goals. “Having regular transparent discussions about your money is [key to financial success](https://www.financedigest.com/mvp-for-startups-the-key-to-success.html "MVP for startups: the key to success") as a long-term couple, and being open with each other will help create the future you both desire.” For more information on managing money in a relationship visit: [www.portafina.co.uk/blog/4-top-tips-for-managing-money-in-relationships](http://www.portafina.co.uk/blog/4-top-tips-for-managing-money-in-relationships) ![Portafina money talks image](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/fd161117-13-1736843253150-compressed.jpg) Portafina money talks image --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---