Hidden credit card purchases causing rifts

Couples are entering arguments over credit card expenditure, leading to divorce in some cases, according to new research from MoneySuperMarket.

People are opting to keep much of their spending a secret but it may not be for the best in the long-run as one in ten have either separated from their partner or even gone as far as divorcing as a result of being found out.

With money being so tight, it is perhaps no wonder it can quickly become the centre of arguments in a household.

One in ten (nine per cent) also admitted that secret spending caused arguments with their partner. Interestingly, of the 15 per cent who confessed to lying to their other half about their credit card spend, a third (36 per cent) said they did it because they knew they would get angry about it.

Meanwhile, a third (35 per cent) said they knew their partner would not approve of their spending so it is best not to tell them.

The research found women have a much guiltier conscience when it comes to dreaded monthly credit card bills and are 60 per cent more likely to hide a statement from their other half. This can become even easier with the rollout of digital statements.

However, it is men who splash the most cash, almost £100 more per month on average. They spend £360 in comparison to their female counterparts who fork out £274 each month.

Worryingly, people are using their credit card to fund a luxury lifestyle just as much as to buy essentials, with half of the population stating they buy clothes and shoes with their plastic and half confirmed they use it for basic living expenses such as utility bills, rent, petrol and food.

Clare Francis, editor-in-chief at MoneySuperMarket, said: "Clearly some people keep the amount they spend on their credit card close to their chest, which is not necessarily an issue as long as they are honest with themselves and keep on top of their bills."

She went on to say secret spending can cause relationship problems, which is not surprising considering how important budgeting is for households.

By James Francis