As Valentine’s Day approaches, many couples are reflecting on their relationships and the factors that contribute to their success. While love and compatibility are often at the forefront, financial transparency and communication play a crucial role in sustaining romantic relationships.
According to new research from Experian, financial issues have led to the end of relationships for more than a quarter of Americans.
Financial transparency is essential for building trust and ensuring a healthy relationship. Experian’s research highlights that 1 in 4 U.S. adults have faced ultimatums regarding financial improvements, and 34% have hidden purchases from their partners. These findings underscore the need for open and honest conversations about finances.
Additional key findings include:
| Statement | Total | Gen Z (18-27) | Millennial (28-43) | Gen X (44-59) | Boomer (60-78) | Silent (79+) |
| I discuss financial goals with my partner. | 79% | 80% | 84% | 77% | 77% | 66% |
| I have either been on the giving or receiving end of an ultimatum that finances had to be improved for a relationship to progress. | 25% | 43% | 36% | 18% | 11% | 4% |
| I’ve had a relationship end due to my own or a partner’s financial issues. | 27% | 36% | 40% | 23% | 15% | 0% |
| I typically spend $100 or less on gifts for my partner for special occasions. | 61% | 54% | 53% | 62% | 70% | 72% |
| I typically spend $100 or more on gifts for my partner for special occasions. | 39% | 46% | 47% | 38% | 30% | 28% |
| Saving money as a couple is somewhat or very important to me. | 93% | 94% | 93% | 91% | 93% | 90% |
| I have hidden a purchase from my partner. | 34% | 34% | 36% | 36% | 32% | 20% |
| It’s important that my partner talks to me prior to making any major purchasing decision. | 76% | 71% | 75% | 74% | 81% | 80% |
| My partner and I have a set limit before we need to consult the other prior to making a purchase. | 54% | 73% | 65% | 52% | 40% | 24% |
| My partner and I have a limit of $500 before we agree to consult each other prior to making a purchase. | 33% | 57% | 39% | 32% | 18% | 20% |
Whether you’re newly matched or in a long-term relationship, here are three ways to protect your financial health in relationships:
- Communication is key: Money is not meant to be a taboo topic in relationships. In fact, nearly 80% say they discuss financial goals with their partner. Make money part of your regular conversations with your partner.
- Set a budget: More than 3 in 4 (76%) say it’s important their partner talks to them prior to making any major purchasing decision and 54% of couples have a set limit before they need to consult their partner prior to making a purchase. This is $500 or more for 33% of couples and most couples (61%) spend $100 or less on partner gifts for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. Create a budget, revisit it regularly and determine a spending style that works for you and your partner.
- Create savings goals together: Saving money is top of mind for most and this is true in romantic relationships with 93% claiming it’s important for them to save money as a couple. Opt for date nights at home or find other low-cost ways to spend time together. Experian can also help consumers save money by cancelling unwanted subscriptions, negotiating your bills for lower rates and more. [1]
For additional money-saving tips from Experian and personal finance experts, join Experian’s upcoming #CreditChat “Breaking Up with Bad Spending Habits: A Financial Detox Plan” on Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. EST on X or Threads.
By prioritizing financial transparency and communication, couples can build stronger, more resilient relationships. As Valentine’s Day approaches, take the opportunity to discuss your financial goals and set the foundation for a secure financial future together.
Methodology: Experian commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,004 adults throughout the United States. The margin of error is +/-2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95 percent. Fieldwork took place between January 3 and January 6, 2025.
[1] Subscription Cancellation and Bill Negotiation are available with eligible paid memberships and requires connecting payment account(s) to Experian account. Results will vary. Not all bills or subscriptions are eligible for negotiation/cancellation. Savings are not guaranteed, and some may not see any savings.
As someone proudly of Mexican heritage, I’ve felt a deep responsibility to ensure that the Hispanic community has access to the tools and resources needed to thrive financially. That’s why I’m incredibly excited to announce the launch of our brand campaign, “BFF” — Big Financial Friend — in Spanish that will air in Spanish-language programming this fall. This campaign is more than just advertising to me. It’s about speaking directly to Hispanic families in the language of trust and inclusion and showing them that Experian is here to support their financial journey every step of the way. Last year, we took a bold step in that direction by relieving $10 million in consumer debt for over 5,000 Hispanic families across the country. This initiative, in partnership with ForgiveCo, was designed to provide immediate relief while also opening doors to long-term financial wellness. Each recipient received a free one-year premium Experian membership, including access to their credit report in Spanish, bilingual educational content, and tools to help manage bills, subscriptions, and credit card options tailored to their needs. This work is not only important to me but to our organization demonstrating our commitment to financial inclusion. Our research shows that Hispanic consumers are disproportionately affected by limited access to credit and financial education. In fact, 72% of Hispanic respondents in an Experian survey said that more financial education would help reduce stress about their financial situation. That’s why we’re committed to delivering Financial Power to All™, and why doing campaigns like BFF in-language is so important. We’re not just translating ads — we’re translating opportunity. We’re making sure that every family, regardless of language or background, knows that Experian is here to help them build credit, reduce debt, and achieve their financial goals. Because when we do, we don’t just build inclusive campaigns — we build better futures. You can see Experian this fall on the popular morning show Despierta America, as well as during telecasts of the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards and the 26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards® on Telemundo and TelevisaUnivision. Please visit our Spanish Resources page to access educational articles. Watch our first commercial in Spanish here. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month.
Experian is evolving — and it’s not just a shift in how we show up to consumers, it’s a transformation in how we think about our role in people’s lives. We’re entering a new era, and I want to share what that means for us and the millions of consumers we serve. For years, we’ve been known as a credit bureau. And while that legacy is something to be proud of, it’s only part of our story. Today, we are so much more. Experian delivers a robust consumer financial platform that empowers people to take control of their financial lives and realize their financial dreams. Meet Experian, your BFF We’ve built tools that help people compare auto insurance[i], potentially lower their bills[ii], find the right credit cards, and make smarter financial decisions. But here’s the challenge: many consumers might not know the full extent of what we offer and how we can help them. That’s why we’re launching a bold new brand campaign that brings our mission of Financial Power to All™ to life in a different way. In a multi-dimensional campaign, actor Sam Richardson steps into the role of a consumer’s Big Financial Friend or “BFF,” a larger-than-life character who helps people navigate their financial journeys. With this new campaign – Experian’s first brand re-do since 2016 – we are bringing fresh creative and messaging to consumers to create more awareness about how Experian has their back and can help them throughout their financial lives. It’s important for consumers to have a knowledgeable financial partner they can rely on as they navigate their financial journeys, and we want to be their “BFF” no matter where they are on that journey. We know that many people are facing financial uncertainty right now, like rising costs, economic volatility, and growing anxiety about the future. That’s why our mission matters more than ever. Financial Power to All™ isn’t a tagline. It’s a commitment that we will continue to build tools, share knowledge, and create access for everyone, no matter where they are in their financial journey. We have the data, the technology, and the people to make a real difference. This campaign is just the beginning. See our first commercial below: [i] Results will vary and some may not see savings. Average savings of $1,137 per year for customers who switched multiple policies and saved with Experian from Jan. 1, 2022 to Mar. 31, 2024. Savings based on customers’ self-reported prior premium. [ii] Results will vary. Not all subscriptions are eligible, savings are not guaranteed, and some may not see savings. Experian members for whom Experian canceled at least one subscription averaged $270/year of anticipated savings. Available with eligible paid memberships and requires connecting payment account(s) to Experian account.
In some instances, the ways in which lenders make decisions is not unlike looking through a keyhole. From this vantage point, there is some information, but it isn’t the whole picture. Lenders are often making decisions on a subset of information about a consumer. And for millions of people in America, including those who are thin-file or credit-invisible, the amount of information available is limited. Our goal is to help our clients gain a more representative understanding of consumers to better inform their decisions and ultimately better serve consumers. Credit reports and traditional credit scores will continue to be an extraordinarily important part of the process, but we’re continually asking ourselves: how we can leverage our unique vantage point to help our clients obtain a more complete picture to create new opportunities for consumers? One proven way we can achieve this is by helping financial services companies more easily leverage consumers’ banking and transaction information through open banking. This information can advance financial inclusion by providing a more comprehensive and accurate view of a consumer while giving consumers greater control of their data. And our research shows most consumers are onboard, with 71% stating they’re willing to provide this information if it increases their likelihood of qualifying for credit.1 Introducing Cashflow Score Today, we’ve unlocked an exciting milestone in making the use of this information more accessible with the launch of Cashflow Score. This is the latest in a short list of products that can be used to make lending decisions, leveraging consumer-permissioned transaction information to more accurately assess risk, particularly for credit invisible or un-scorable consumers who have a bank account. The score provides lenders with a clearer view of an applicant’s financial behavior, including income, expenses, cash reserves, and more, to enhance risk assessments with up to 25% lift in predictive performance.2 Our solution can easily integrate into lenders’ existing workflows in conjunction with traditional credit scores for credit decisions. This means lenders can now leverage Cashflow Score in first and second chance credit decisions to assess applicants with limited or nonexistent credit histories, using only bank account data. The future of financial inclusion Open banking and transaction data can help create a future where we can help bring financial power to all. As the only financial services company offering both traditional scores and cashflow-based scoring solutions developed in-house, we are uniquely positioned to connect credit outcomes with transaction data. And we’re just scratching the surface with solutions like Cashflow Score. As we continue to innovate and embrace the possibilities of open banking, I am optimistic about what lies ahead and how we can expand the keyhole even further. Together, we can create a more inclusive financial system where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. [1] Experian commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,005 adults throughout the United States. The makeup of the sample is representative of the U.S. population based on national census data regarding demographic variables such as gender, age and geographical regions. The margin of error for the overall sample is +/- 2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95 percent. Fieldwork took place between March 17 and March 21, 2024. [2] Based on Experian analysis when Cashflow Score is compared to conventional credit scores, tailored to targeted risk tiers. Predictability based on KS. Related Posts