Until Debt Do Us Part: Americans place importance on strong finances in relationships

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Feb. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half (54) percent) of Americans say finances have been a source of tension in their romantic relationships, but that isn't causing them to shy away from discussing money matters. The latest COUNTRY Financial Security Index survey reveals 91 percent of Americans believe it is important to discuss finances with their significant other.

Americans not only place a great deal of importance on discussing personal finances with their partners – but a large majority (70 percent) prefer to start the conversation within the first few months of a relationship or sooner.

"If you haven't discussed money with your valentine, consider starting the conversation sooner rather than later," said Joe Buhrmann, manager of financial security at COUNTRY Financial. "Talking about finances as your relationship is budding can help quell financial quarrels down the road."

Trouble in Paradise 
Debt emerges as the biggest concern among Americans. Seventy-eight percent believe someone who is single and dating should be concerned with the amount of debt their love interest has accumulated, while 38 percent consider a large amount of debt to be a relationship "deal breaker."

An even bigger red flag is carelessness. A majority (52 percent) of Americans would end a relationship if their significant other lacked interest in managing their finances. Additionally, over half of Americans believe a person's credit score (58 percent) and income level (52 percent) are big considerations singles should take into account when choosing a partner.

"Most Americans can forgive their love interest for being in poor financial shape, so long as they care about changing for the better," Buhrmann said. "Data suggests most Americans are less tolerant of a partner who isn't focused on improving their financial situation."

Generation Gap 
In general, millennials are more accepting of a significant other's debt level. Sixty-four percent would rather date a college graduate with significant student loan debt than someone who doesn't hold a college degree.

In parallel, just 67 percent of millennials are concerned with the amount of debt their love interest has accumulated, compared to 78 percent of the general population. Millennials are especially at odds with the oldest segment of the population – 88 percent of Americans over age 65 believe a significant other's debt should cause concern for someone who is single and dating.

Finding Financial Bliss 
No matter your financial situation, or where you and your partner stand, there is hope. You can begin to learn about their money mindset by starting a respectful dialogue. Here are a few easy conversation starters to consider:

• How do you feel about debt?
• How do you feel about spending?
• How do you feel about saving?

Instead of criticizing your partner's financial philosophy, ask questions that could reveal what they were taught and their values around money to help add context to your partner's current financial habits.

The COUNTRY Financial Security Index^® 
Since 2007, the COUNTRY Financial Security Index has measured Americans' sentiments of their personal financial security. The Index also delves deeper into individual personal finance topics to better inform Americans about the issues impacting their finances. Survey data, videos and analysis are available at www.countryfinancialsecurityblog.com and on Twitter at @hellocountry.

The COUNTRY Financial Security Index was created by COUNTRY Financial and is compiled by GfK, an independent research firm. Surveys were conducted using GfK's KnowledgePanel TM, a national, probability-based panel designed to be representative of the general population and includes responses from approximately 1,000 U.S. adults for national surveys. The margin of sampling error for a survey based on this many interviews is approximately +/- 3 percentage points with a 95 percent level of confidence.

About COUNTRY Financial
The COUNTRY Financial group (www.countryfinancial.com) serves about one million households and businesses throughout the United States. It offers a full range of financial products and services from auto, home, business and life insurance to retirement planning services, investment management and annuities.

Contact
Jordan Fisher
Edelman 
(312) 240-2951 
[email protected]

SOURCE COUNTRY Financial

Related Links

http://www.countryfinancial.com