A quarter of Dutch couples argue about money. The disagreement between the partners is about the way they handle their money. Most disagreements are about austerity. It is not only a question of whether cuts should be made, but also how. The spending pattern is also a reason for struggles. When people have trouble making ends meet, have payment problems or find money matters difficult, money is more often the cause of division. This is apparent from the Nibud report Money and Relationships 2019.
Couples do more together
In 2019, more companies are putting together finances than just over a decade ago. A third is now jointly occupied with the money matters of the household, in 2007 this was less than a quarter. Couples have a joint checking account slightly more often than then. And just like then, half of the couples with a joint account also have a private account. At 20 percent, both partners only have a private account. Couples mainly use the joint account to pay for furniture, white goods and other equipment and for daily shopping. They pay for their mobile phone, clothing, gifts and health insurance from their own account.
Income in one heap
61 percent lump the income together. The possible difference in the level of incomes plays no role here. Couples where one of the partners earns more or less than the other do this just as often as couples whose partners earn about the same. More than 1 in 10 couples divide their joint expenses proportionally; it depends on the level of their income how much both partners contribute. These partners do it because they think it's fairest. The partners who lump everything together do so mainly because they find it easy.
Agreements on money matters
A majority of couples make agreements about money matters. Most agreements are about who pays what, the spending pattern and how much both partners want to save. If they want to change something about these agreements, the couples mainly mention that they want to spend less and save more. Most of the partners who do not make agreements indicate that they manage their money affairs naturally or that they have arranged their money affairs well independently of each other.
