Why we fight over $

Communication

The Big Spender: First described in the biblical story of Noah, who developed a sudden infatuation with large boats and exotic animals (which was vexing unto his wife), this age-old fight revolves around a simple, unresolvable dispute: One person wants to spend; the other doesn't, and neither can convince the other to see it his way. When spender meets saver, sparks fly, and sooner or later, somebody explodes.

The Done Deal: A variation of the Big Spender fight, this is when one person opens the credit-card bill and -- surprise! -- sees the tab for the drum set, the new suit or the night your mate took the entire office out for drinks. The fantasy here is that because it's a fait accompli your better half will let it go. Oh, but they don't.

Jones Envy: People in their 40s who still like to compare SAT scores are most vulnerable to this one. It starts when the neighbors acquire a fancy new ski boat. You simply MUST have one, but your more practical-minded spouse fails to see this as an "emergency spending priority." Do you listen? Apparently not.

Dowry of Debt: So when you were preparing to get married you never found the right time to disclose that you had a few debts. From, uh, law school, which you never quite finished. Or attended. You kinda forgot to mention the Nordstrom card and the maxed-out Visa, because . . . you're going to pay them off really, really soon. This is really, really unlikely.


Post-Holiday Pugilism: He: Did you really spend $200 on Dad's cashmere sweater? She: Me? You bought that deluxe CD set for your sister! The Visa bill has landed and those holiday spending blunders have come back to haunt you like the Ghost of Christmas Past. So you take it out on each other. Always a healthy choice.

Control
Dribbling Deficits: The culprit in this case is not the ark or the drum set, it's the steady drip, drip, drip of spending on little purchases that no one tracks. You hit the ATM machine on Friday and end up broke on Monday with NO idea where the money went. An absence of facts rarely prevents couples from making accusations, however.

What, Me Retire?: The world can be divided into those who believe in saving for retirement and those who believe in the Retirement Fairy. If you're married to the latter type, it can be difficult to imagine your future together. As one 401(k)'d friend of mine noted, after admitting that she tends to "boil over" at her husband's lack of future planning: "You're afraid your spouse is going to end up on a park bench."

Blame it on the Boss: Are you the boss? Why are you asking me about how we're going to pay for roof repair, if you're the boss? You're the one who pays all the bills and does all those spreadsheets. No, I'm not bitter. I don't feel disempowered. What do you mean you never asked to be in charge?! You TOOK charge. Did so.

Software Mistake: One of you is fanatically devoted to all the lovely budget and planning tools in your Microsoft Money or Quicken program. At the end of each month you have a terrific round of mutual recrimination because, sadly, you now know exactly where the money went.

Family
The Kost of Kids: Nanny vs. day care; maternity leave vs. staying home; start the college fund now or later. When you're expecting or already have a brood, the choices -- and arguments -- are endless.

The Parent Trap: You've taken on the same financial role that your mother or father once played, but your partner doesn't seem to know his or her role in the drama and isn't ready to surrender the checkbook -- or commandeer it -- according to the unconscious script you're expecting the two of you to follow.

Out with the In-Laws: In the first five minutes of any visit, your in-laws will manage to push at least one of your big financial buttons. ("The house is so much smaller than it looked in the photo, especially given what you paid.") Ten minutes later, you're both growling at each other.

For couples: 8 tips on how to talk about money
Fighting about money is as old as money itself, arising partly out of philosophical differences and partly from habits so old you forgot you had them. But now, at least, you can see all the ways they feed into those arguments you're not having.

Get tips on how to talk about money.