The key to a balance relationship is how comfortable both parties are about their own wealth when they are around each other. The first step in making an unbalance relationship work lies within. Even with efforts to equalize each partner’s roles, financial contributions affect the power dynamic. It can help you pay for a nice vacation together or buy a house to start a family. And for the most part, does so happily because the gulf is so vast, the higher-earning partner doesn’t really notice and certainly doesn’t mind. Express the feeling that you both need one another rather than acting omnipotent and ask for help and love. 8. 1 When we talk about money in relationships of any kind, we’re bound to find some frustration and tension. Similarly, power imbalance in marriage or money imbalance in relationships can be detrimental to a marriage. Money can be icing on the cake in a healthy relationships. But in relationships, an imbalance of money can cause major problems and fuel intense resentments. Money is the number one issue married couples fight about, and it’s the second leading cause of divorce, behind infidelity. Be Flexible Money has long been known to be a leading cause of stress in relationships — probably because, for so many couples, it’s a topic that’s off-limits. Does Money Affect Your Relationships. If the two of you are perfectly fine with the disparity and can openly discuss financial situations anyway, then it really makes no difference. However, money inequality is something different. All of these things cost money, and there are so many things that you might need to save for in a relationship. Do you think combining money and marriage is a recipe for disaster? Money affects every part of our lives, including our relationships. 7. Here are some examples of controlling shared resources and assets. Power Imbalance Factor #1: Money, Hello! When a dating partner or spouse has complete control over the money in the relationship and you have little or no access to what you need, this is controlling the family resources. However, if you decide to be with someone because he or she is financially well-off and able to provide you and your family, forget the true love or having a fulfilling relationship. It adds even more tension when one partner is unemployed and completely dependent on the other. When one person earns more than the other, it creates an imbalance. When one partner makes way more money than the other and basically subsidizes the other person. Spend Money Together As a way to remember that the money that a married couple makes belongs to the couple, money should be spent together on regular date nights and summer vacations. In many ways, money is overrated. The Challenge: This situation can expose a rift between how two people act when it comes to money and family, says Syble Solomon, creator of Money Habitudes and an expert on how couples communicate about money. The best power is the unsaid but felt kind. You’re not alone. Don’t try to penny-pinch when it comes to money and hours worked; this will cause unnecessary stress between you and your partner. (At least, that’s the takeaway message of every lottery-winner-gone-bankrupt story.)