Quarter of Brits don’t know partner’s earnings

More than a quarter of Brits are in the dark about how much their partner earns, according to new research.

The survey from shopping website discountvouchers.co.uk reveals that 27.25 per cent of Brits don’t know how much their partner takes home. The fairer sex, it seems, are more secretive with their finances as twice as many women as men have a “hidden” bank account. Eight per cent of females have a secret account compared with 4 per cent of men.

Women are also more likely to lie about how much they spend on a new outfit with 43 per cent admitting to keeping the cost of clothes a secret, compared with 17 per cent of men. Women cite guilt as the main reason for hiding the truth about their clothing bills.

According to the research of Brits financial habits, a sneaky 40 per cent of us open our partner’s bank or credit card statement. When it comes to keeping track of their finances, nearly 10 per cent of Brits don’t bother to check their bank and credit card statements every month.

Psychologist Dr Penny Goldsbrough says: “The fear of trusting your partner can cause people to sneak a look in their bank accounts or want to put money aside in a secret account in case they split up. It is a simple case of fear of the unknown and lack of self esteem.”

Dr Goldsbrough stresses: “Women tend to mirror their mother’s behaviour – so if your mum covered up the cost of a new outfit then chances are you will as well. We carry guilt about spending on ourselves; but sometimes just can’t stop splashing the cash.”