1. Home
  2. Money Secrets Are Rare
  • Sign up
  • Sign in
Money Talks News
  • Popular
  • Latest
    • Coronavirus
    • Ask Stacy
    • Make
    • Save
    • Borrow
    • Grow
    • Live
    • More
  • Deals
    • Automotive
    • Clothing & Accessories
    • Computers
    • Electronics
    • Everything Else
    • Financial Services
    • Gaming & Toys
    • Health & Beauty
    • Home & Garden
    • Movies, Music & Books
    • Office & Supplies
    • Special Occasion
    • Sports & Fitness
    • Store Events
    • Travel & Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Solutions
  • Academy
70% of Older Adults Botch This Basic Retirement Question
7 Ways Coupons Waste Your Money and Time
3 Ways to Get Paid for Searching the Web
How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck in 8 Steps

Money Secrets Are Rare

Think your spouse is hiding money? A new study says it's not likely, but more common among the young.

Brandon Ballenger • October 30, 2012

Photo (cc) by stevendepolo

A new AARP study says few couples admit to having secret bank accounts (five percent), but some do sneak in purchases…

  • Hidden purchases are also rare, but not as rare as hidden bank accounts. Slightly under one in five (17%) say they have hidden any purchases from their spouse or partner in the last year, though again, younger respondents were more likely than those 50+ to have done so (23% vs 12%).
  • For those respondents who have not hidden purchases from a spouse or partner in the last year, almost one quarter (24%) say they have ever hidden purchases from their spouse or partner. In total, about one-third (34%) of respondents say they have hidden purchases from a spouse or partner either in the past year or ever.
  • When respondents were asked if they had withheld information about specific financial matters, the most commonly withheld topics were related to lending money to a friend or family member (8%), the amount of credit card purchases (6%), and amount of their debt (6%). Younger respondents were more likely to have withheld information on any of the topics asked than older respondents (27% vs. 12%).

About half said they had only a joint bank account. The study was based on 1,263 interviews with adults who were married or living with a partner.

Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.

Read Next
5 Ways to Put an End to Junk Mail
5 Ways to Put an End to Junk Mail

Here’s how to keep unwanted mail from clogging your mailbox and trash can.

5 Ways Anyone Can Save on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Costs
5 Ways Anyone Can Save on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Costs

Here’s how to lower your health care costs without skimping on care.

5 Ways Social Security Will Change in 2021
5 Ways Social Security Will Change in 2021

These adjustments will affect both workers and retirees in the new year.

America’s Most Reliable Appliance Brand Is a Surprise
America’s Most Reliable Appliance Brand Is a Surprise

Have you heard of this appliance manufacturer?

Why Is My Pension Killing My Social Security Benefit?
Why Is My Pension Killing My Social Security Benefit?

A reader says the government is penalizing him for having a pension. Is he right?

Sign up for our free newsletter!

Join our many free newsletter subscribers building wealth and destroying debt:

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

View this page without ads

Help us produce more money-saving articles and videos by subscribing to a membership.

Get Started

Most Popular
8 Tips for Retiring Comfortably on Social Security Alone
8 Tips for Retiring Comfortably on Social Security Alone

It’s never too early to start learning how to live well while living on less.

Am I Eligible for My Mother’s Social Security Benefit?
Am I Eligible for My Mother’s Social Security Benefit?

Can an adult daughter tap into her late mother’s benefit?

27 Things You Should Never Pay For — and How to Get Them for Free
27 Things You Should Never Pay For — and How to Get Them for Free

When you know the tricks, you can save big on all kinds of useful things that others pay for.

11 Generic Products You Should Buy at Costco
11 Generic Products You Should Buy at Costco

Not all generics are worthwhile, but these are among the best from Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand.

15 Free Streaming Services to Watch While Stuck at Home
15 Free Streaming Services to Watch While Stuck at Home

These free movie streaming sites offer thousands of movies and TV shows, including recent releases and beloved classics. If you love free movies, online sites are where you need to look for the best list of features that are just one easy click away.

This Surprise Factor Can Raise Your Risk of Dementia
This Surprise Factor Can Raise Your Risk of Dementia

Nearly half of U.S. residents may face this threat.

3 Ways to Get Microsoft Office for Free
3 Ways to Get Microsoft Office for Free

With a little ingenuity, you can cut Office costs to zero.

Can a Divorced Widow Claim Her First Husband’s Social Security Benefits?
Can a Divorced Widow Claim Her First Husband’s Social Security Benefits?

The rules are complicated when it comes to eligibility for survivors benefits.

This Gas Station Scam Is Victimizing More Drivers
This Gas Station Scam Is Victimizing More Drivers

For the second straight year, a growing number of Americans believe they’ve fallen prey to this scam.

9 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Shopping on Amazon
9 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Shopping on Amazon

Are you losing money due to any of these missteps?

9 Things You’ll Never See at Costco Again
9 Things You’ll Never See at Costco Again

The warehouse store offers an enormous selection, but these products aren’t coming back.

6 Legal Documents Retirees Need — but Don’t Have
6 Legal Documents Retirees Need — but Don’t Have

Few retirees have all of these documents that are crucial to their golden years — especially during a pandemic.

These Are the 3 Best Used Cars You Can Buy
These Are the 3 Best Used Cars You Can Buy

These vehicles boast reliability, safety and long-lasting value.

10 Things I Always Buy at Trader Joe’s
10 Things I Always Buy at Trader Joe’s

From snacks to sweets to side dishes, stock your cart with these time-tested favorites on your next TJ’s run.

15 Amazon Purchases That We Are Loving Right Now
15 Amazon Purchases That We Are Loving Right Now

These practical products make everyday life a little easier.

The Worst Day of the Year to Buy a Used Car
The Worst Day of the Year to Buy a Used Car

If you need a new set of wheels, avoid shopping on this day.

19 High-Paying Jobs You Can Get With a 2-Year Degree
19 High-Paying Jobs You Can Get With a 2-Year Degree

There are easy high-paying majors available in the U.S. — and no bachelor’s degree is required. We’re here to help you find easy degrees that pay well.

9 Small Expenses That Are Bleeding Your Budget Dry
9 Small Expenses That Are Bleeding Your Budget Dry

Keep more of future paychecks by eliminating these budget-busting unnecessary expenses.

7 Stores That Match — or Beat — Amazon Prices
7 Stores That Match — or Beat — Amazon Prices

These retailers offer some of the most consumer-friendly price-match policies anywhere.

View More Articles

Sign up for our free newsletter!

Join our many free newsletter subscribers building wealth and destroying debt:

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

View this page without ads

Help us produce more money-saving articles and videos by subscribing to a membership.

Get Started

Add a Comment

Our Policy: We welcome relevant and respectful comments in order to foster healthy and informative discussions. All other comments may be removed. Comments with links are automatically held for moderation.

Sign up for our free newsletter!

Simple ways to make, save, and grow your money daily:

  happy subscribers    

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Podcasts

Listen to the latest episode of Money! with Stacy Johnson.

Must Read

A few of the best stories from our Emmy Award winning editorial team.

10 Things That Really Are Free on Amazon
10 Things That Really Are Free on Amazon
7 Kitchen Gadgets That Make Healthy Cooking a Breeze
7 Kitchen Gadgets That Make Healthy Cooking a Breeze
10 U.S. Jobs That Are Disappearing Fastest
10 U.S. Jobs That Are Disappearing Fastest
10 Items Every First-Aid Kit Should Have
10 Items Every First-Aid Kit Should Have
11 Small Money Moves That Will Make a Big Difference
11 Small Money Moves That Will Make a Big Difference
7 Small Appliances You Don’t Need — and What to Use Instead
7 Small Appliances You Don’t Need — and What to Use Instead
The 3 Biggest Regrets of Retirees — and How to Avoid Them
The 3 Biggest Regrets of Retirees — and How to Avoid Them
7 Reasons You Should Consider a Career Change at 50
7 Reasons You Should Consider a Career Change at 50
MTN Solutions Center

A curated selection of helpful products and services we recommend for our readers.

Find help with:
Making Extra Money Credit Card Debt Tax Debt Student Loan Debt Credit Restoration Debt Collectors Social Security
Find the best:
Financial Adviser Credit Card Budget Personal Loan Mortgage Purchase Mortgage Refinance Savings & CDs HELOC Cell Phone Plan Travel Deals
Sign up for our free newsletter!

Join our many free newsletter subscribers building wealth and destroying debt:

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Popular Topics
  • Retirement Investment
  • Surveys for Money
  • How to Make Money Online
  • Emergency Stockpile
  • Free Movie Streaming
  • Senior Discounts
Connect
  • Memberships
  • About
  • Contact
  • Careers
Media
  • Advertise
  • Television
  • Where We Air
  • Scripts
  • Sitemap
Legal
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
Editorial
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Ownership & Funding Info

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

© 2020 Money Talks News. All Rights Reserved.
‭1 (833) 669-8557 | 1732 1st Ave #26661, New York, NY 10128

Advertising Disclosure: This site may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website.

View This Page Without Ads

Help us produce more money-saving articles and videos by subscribing to a membership.

Get Started

Help us produce more money-saving articles and videos by subscribing to a membership.

Sign up for our free newsletter!

Join our happy subscribers and sign up for our free newsletter! You'll get:

  • Tips and advice from our expert money reporters. (Our average experience is 18 years!)
  • Unexpected ways to make more and spend less, delivered to you daily.
  • The best deals and coupons to save on everything you buy.
  • A free copy of our eBook '208 Ways to Save Money Every Day' and our video consumer finance course 'Life or Debt', together a $49 value!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.