Financial deception
The results of a Bankrate’s 2025 financial infidelity survey reveal 40% of adults in the U.S. who are married or living with a partner say they’ve kept a financial secret from their significant other. Secrets include spending more than their partner would approve of (33%) and holding undisclosed debt (23%).
Among those with a spouse or live-in partner, 38% felt keeping financial secrets in a relationship is as bad as cheating, while 7% said it’s worse.
“Money secrets can undermine a relationship,” Bankrate senior industry analyst Ted Rossman said. “It’s hard enough to meet your financial goals when you’re pulling in the same direction. It’s almost impossible if you’re pulling in opposite directions.”
Marriage counseling is an option for couples to resolve differences and change behaviors. It can be a forum to open up communication between partners and get them on the same page.
But the level of deception involved in Veronica’s relationship may be too high to overcome, according to Coleman.
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Learn moreNuclear option
Coleman believes Veronica’s recent marriage is a “farce” and her best course of action is to end it and move on with her life.
“I don’t know if there’s hope for this marriage,” Kamel admitted. “I don’t think you can rebuild from that level of dishonesty.”
Trust is the bedrock of any relationship and people who face financial infidelity may be wise to consider if maintaining it will expose them to more debt and deception in the future.
If you’re unsure about whether your partner is being financially dishonest, you may want to keep an eye out for red flags such as missing cash from accounts, unexpected financial statements, emotional reactions from your partner when talking about money and the sudden loss of possessions, according to Marriage.com.
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