2025 Love & Money Report

Talking about money can be one of the trickiest parts of a relationship, yet it’s a conversation that’s crucial for long-term success.

For many couples, navigating budgets, savings, and financial goals can feel overwhelming or even spark tension. However, a growing number of people are turning to technology for help, with AI-powered financial tools offering a new way to approach these sensitive discussions. 

From creating shared budgets to offering debt repayment strategies, these tools are not only changing how couples manage their money, but also how they communicate about it. With nearly 70% of individuals seeing potential in AI assistants like Siri, Alexa (and Cleo 👀) to guide big life decisions, could AI be the secret to smoother financial conversations? 

Let’s dive into how couples feel about tackling their finances together—and the surprising role AI might play.

‍A closer look at how money talks (or doesn’t) in American homes

• Nearly 80% of Americans report feeling uncomfortable discussing their finances with their partner, with half of them being very comfortable and regularly making financial conversations a part of their relationship. In fact, 90% of respondents agree that financial transparency—being open and honest about their financial situation—is crucial to strengthening their relationship. 
• However, despite this, 31% of people admit to hiding a financial decision or expense from their partner. The top reasons for keeping these secrets include feelings of embarrassment, guilt, and shame (40%), followed by not feeling the need to share (27%), and valuing financial independence (25%). 
• These figures highlight the complexity of navigating financial openness, even when both partners agree on its importance.

Who pays for dinner?

• Financial independence plays a significant role in many relationships, with 52% of Americans believing it is essential to their overall relationship satisfaction. Financial independence, in this context, refers to the ability to support oneself financially, regardless of one's relationship. 
• However, not everyone views it as a top priority. 42% of respondents felt neutral about it or believed it was only somewhat important, rather than essential. So, there’s a definite divide in how couples prioritize financial autonomy and its role in their relationship dynamics.

Money Woes

• We found that financial anxiety in relationships often stems from a variety of sources, with 37% of Americans pointing to differing spending habits as their primary concern. These habits can create tension, especially when partners approach money from vastly different perspectives. 
• Following closely behind, 23% identified a lack of savings as a significant stressor, with many couples worrying about their ability to weather financial storms. 
• Debt management was another notable issue, affecting 12% of couples, while 11% cited disagreements over budgeting as a key cause of stress. Additionally, 10% of respondents were anxious about pre-existing debt that one partner brought into the relationship. 
• Other sources of financial anxiety include concerns over inflation, rising costs of living, differing investment styles, retirement planning, and looming medical bills.
• Despite these challenges, almost 70% of couples (68.8%) feel that their financial goals are in alignment, while 30% are uncertain or feel their goals don’t quite match up. 

AI Making Cents of Your Finances 

• When surveyed about the most helpful features in a financial tool designed for managing and discussing personal finances with a partner, respondents highlighted budgeting and expense tracking as the top priority, with 24% naming it as their most desired feature. 
• Following closely, 22% emphasized the importance of saving for shared goals, while 14% favored tools for creating a shared budget, and 11% pointed to debt repayment strategies. 
• In terms of comfort with technology, 41% of respondents said they would feel comfortable using an AI-powered financial tool to guide financial conversations with their partner, with nearly 40% open to exploring this option.
• When asked to personify an AI financial assistant, 44% envisioned it as a budget coach, while 15% likened it to an honest friend, and 11% saw it as a financial therapist. Tone of voice was also a key consideration, with nearly half of respondents preferring a no-nonsense tone from an AI financial assistant, though 28% expressed a preference for a supportive and empathetic approach. 
• Broader attitudes toward AI revealed that 69% of respondents believe virtual assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa could play a significant role in guiding life decisions, such as career, financial, and relationship advice, while fewer than a quarter remained skeptical of this potential.

Methodology: Our findings are from 600 Americans aged 25 to 55 surveyed in January 2025.

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Big love. Cleo 💙

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