By Marie Haaland // SWNS
NEWS COPY W/ VIDEO + INFOGRAPHIC
A third of Americans have money hidden away from their partner, according to new research.
The survey of 2,000 Americans in a relationship revealed 37% have a secret stash of funds — and of those, respondents are hiding away an average of $2,006.
This may be due in part to couples’ differing views on money: the survey found 62% believe the statement “opposites attract” is true, specifically when it comes to finances.
And the average respondent said they have seven arguments per month with their partner about money.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of online resale marketplace StockX, the survey delved into these disagreements and looked at respondents’ spending habits, especially as we enter the holiday season.
The top disagreement respondents have with their partner is over concerns about debt (31%), followed by concerns either they (30%) or their partner (23%) spend too much money.
But regardless of their bickering, 83% of respondents believe it’s important to have open and honest conversations with their partner about money.
As we enter the holiday season — and the time of holiday shopping — these conversations might be especially important.
Results revealed seven in 10 Americans like to treat themselves to an occasional gift, and they’re likely to make purchases for themselves in the coming months.
The average respondent plans to buy 10 gifts for their loved ones, and six for themselves over the course of the season.
The survey also explored the spending and gift-giving habits of Americans who consider themselves to be a collector.
Forty-nine percent of Americans surveyed collect items of some kind, and top collectibles include watches (21%), shoes (19%) and handbags (17%), with comic books (16%) and trading cards (16%) rounding out the top five.
“Whether people are looking to buy the latest Air Jordan, or to track down a rare basketball card, we know the joy people can experience when discovering and securing new items for their collection,” said StockX senior economist Jesse Einhorn. “And as more people become collectors, both the resale market and the value of these items is seeing rapid growth.”
Of those who collect something, 82% said that when shopping for themselves, they are more likely to purchase an item that fits within their collection than one that does not.
More than half (55%) of collectors surveyed said they share their collection with their partner — and having a common goal might cut down on any financial arguments they have with their significant other.
For all respondents surveyed, 67% agreed it would be more fun to share a collection with their partner.
“Whether it be sneakers, watches, handbags, or trading cards, people don’t just view cultural products as functional items, but as a means of self-expression as well as a financial investment,” said Einhorn. “Collecting these items — either for yourself or with a partner — can be a passion or a business. We’ve seen people who start as collectors quickly turn their hobby into a side hustle, and when the products you collect have real financial value, they are less likely to be the source of spending-related disagreements.”
RESPONDENTS’ TOP DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT MONEY
- Worried about the debt 31%
- I believe they spend too much money 30%
- They believe I spend too much money 23%
- My partner and I are unsure how much to save each month 22%
- Decisions about major purchases 21%
- Can't decide whether to manage accounts jointly or separately 21%
- My partner isn't comfortable talking about money 21%
- Who handles the financial decisions 19%
- I'm not comfortable talking about money 18%
- How to handle a disparity in income levels 13%
TOP COLLECTIONS FOR RESPONDENTS
- Watches 21%
- Shoes 19%
- Handbags 17%
- Comic books 16%
- Trading cards 16%