Arguments are more common in some marriages than others. While they can prove problematic, they can also help couples air and resolve their differences.
One thing over which disagreements frequently occur is spending. Often, this is because the two parties have fundamental differences in their attitudes toward money, and these can be hard to change.
Spenders vs. savers
Some people classify these differences as one between spenders and savers, but others consider there are more subtle differences than that. Here are five money personalities.
Big spenders: This type of person has no problem spending on big-ticket items. Others might accuse them of being showy, or of wasting money replacing perfectly good things.
Shoppers: Some people get enjoyment out of shopping. They know they can’t really afford something, but convince themselves that they deserve it as a treat right now, rather than saving up until they can afford it. A more cautious spouse may get frustrated by this.
Debtors: This group may spend a large chunk of their lives in debt. If they clear down a debt, they could soon start over and build up a new one. Their lack of financial planning may frustrate more financially organized partners.
Savers: These people are frugal and want things to be good value. Others might get frustrated with what they see as penny pinching, or at their refusal to spend on something unnecessary that they would enjoy.
Investors: Investing for the future can provide a lot of stability if done well, but this group may annoy others by focusing too much on the future rather than using money to enjoy the present.
If you and your spouse fall into different categories, you might find yourself struggling to understand how you can ever resolve such fundamental differences. Good communication can often work wonders, but sometimes it is better to accept that your only realistic option may be to part ways.