 Asking For A Friend is the series where we answer the questions you don't want to ask. Everyone and everything has been impacted by the cost of living crisis — including relationships. Whether it's not being able to afford dates or feeling antsy about mounting credit card debt, we're all having to find new ways to navigate money conversations in relationships both new and established. While some are less tricky (a free date like a trip to a park of museum can be cute and wholesome) others are harder, particularly those that centre around debt. If you're one of the approximately 10 million people struggling with debt, you may wonder whether it's worth telling a prospective partner. With so much stigma and shame surrounding it, there's no wonder 70% of those in debt don't talk to anyone about it. But, the truth is, it's likely better to get everything out in the open, especially if you want your relationship to go anywhere. 'Not only can the stress of keeping the secret affect you and your relationship, but it can also make it more difficult for you to manage the situation and can lead to more problems later down the line,' Georgia Galloway, finance expert at Finbri, tells Metro.co.uk. 'If your new partner has no idea about your financial issues, they will continue to make plans that you can't afford, which can lead to adding to your debt by putting things on a credit card, just so you can pretend the debt doesn't exist — the vicious cycle will continue, until you have the conversation.' It can be awkward, but hiding it will only exacerbate the problem(Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) You don't need to open up about your financial circumstances on the first or even the third date, but Georgia says its best to tell them when things are getting serious enough that you want to tell them, but early enough that it won't start affecting them negatively – like if you're pla){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Asking For A Friend is the series where we answer the questions you don’t want to ask.
Everyone and everything has been impacted by the cost of living crisis – including relationships.
Whether it’s not being able to afford dates or feeling antsy about mounting credit card debt, we’re all having to find new ways to navigate money conversations in relationships both new and established.
While some are less tricky (a free date like a trip to a park of museum can be cute and wholesome) others are harder, particularly those that centre around debt.