The Money Couple Minute - Avoiding Income Resentment

We all work hard for our money, but sometimes that hard work can lead to hard feelings, especially when one partner makes significantly more than the other. If couples don't have strong financial communication, they can experience a sense of entitlement, an abuse of power, and financial infidelity.

Put "We" Ahead of "Me." We find that the primary breadwinner can sometimes feel like he or she should have more say so about money issues simply because that individual makes more. Couples that know how to communicate about money recognize that they have to think like partners, not individuals. Money touches every part of life, so if one partner is trying to control the money, the resulting bad mojo is going to infect the whole relationship.

Talk through resentments. If the disparity in your incomes has created problems in your relationship, it's time to talk through those issues and move forward together. Apologize where necessary and offer each other forgiveness and grace. Then agree to start over as true partners.

Deal with financial infidelity. Take the Financial Relationship Index to get a sense of how much financial infidelity you have in your relationship. Then work to repair the damage by trusting each other and working together to build a stronger financial foundation.