Credit card confessions: Brits reveal truth behind their secret spending

Hidden credit card purchases are causing rifts between couples, with one in ten Brits separating or divorcing their partner as a result, according to research from MoneySuperMarket.
 
The comparison website surveyed consumers about their credit card spending habits, and the results reveal that one in ten people have either separated from their partner or even gone as far as divorcing as a result of being found out for secret spending. A further one in ten (nine per cent) also admitted that secret credit card spending caused arguments with their partner. Of the 15 per cent who confessed to lying to their other half about their credit card spend, a third (36 per cent) said this was because they knew they would be angry, and a further one in three (35 per cent) said they knew their partner wouldn't approve of their spending.
 
The research also found that women have a much guiltier conscience when it comes to credit card bills and are 60 per cent more likely to hide a statement from their other half. This is despite the fact that men actually splash out almost £100 more per month on average, spending £360 in comparison to their female counterparts who spend £274 each month.
 
Big Spenders
 
MoneySuperMarket also found that people use their credit card to fund a luxury lifestyle just as much as to buy essentials, with half of the population (50 per cent) stating they buy clothes and shoes with their card, and half (50 per cent) also stating they use their credit card for living costs such as utility bills, rent, petrol and food. Surprisingly, it is the older generation that is more frivolous with their credit cards and more likely to splash the cash on material goods, with two-thirds (64 per cent) of those aged over 55 years stating they use their credit card to buy clothes and shoes, compared to 38 per cent of 18-24 year olds who confess to the same thing.
 
Brits even said they use their credit card to fund important life events such as cosmetic surgery, IVF treatment and even their own funerals. The research also discovered that romance isn't dead, with 14 per cent of people of those who have lied about their credit card usage did so to buy a surprise gift for their partner.
 
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. However, secret spending can cause relationship problems, particularly if it is on non-essential items, and with budgeting so important for many households, this isn't really surprising.
 
"With so many great credit card offers available - 0 per cent purchase periods, cashback and reward cards - it can make sense to put your spending on plastic. Using a credit card can also help improve your credit rating. However, this all assumes you can keep up with your monthly repayments, ideally paying your balance off in full. One of the worries about people who spend in secret is that they do so because they know they can't really afford it and in the long run, it just makes things worse as they can end up saddled with debt and with relationship problems. No pair of shoes is worth that!"