(NC) Would you break up with your partner if you found out they had a secret bank account? What about if they had debt they were hiding from you? What if they were just cheap?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, you’re not alone. According to a 2025 TD survey, the way one partner manages their finances can have a major impact on how the other person views the relationship:
Money can make or break a relationship. 71 per cent of Canadians polled would consider breaking up with their partner if they discovered that they were being dishonest about their finances, and a majority would contemplate calling it quits if their other half never offered to pay for anything.
Money can also matter right from the start of a relationship, especially for Gen Z Canadians, who report that their partner’s net worth is important to them when first getting together. That net worth itself can be a dealbreaker from the get-go, with some young Canadians admitting that they likely wouldn’t date someone who earns less money than them.
Talking about money is hard, but worth it. Many people have financial dealbreakers when it comes to relationships, which is why talking about them is so important. Money might not be the most romantic topic, but it can be a crucial one, explains Nicole Ewing, principal, wealth planning office, TD Wealth.
“Because circumstances can change, having regular conversations with your partner about your saving, investing, and retirement goals can be very important,” she says.
Most Canadians agree that financial transparency and responsibility are crucial factors in a relationship, and that money conversations should ideally happen between partners at least once a month.
But even though the same survey found that seven out of 10 Canadians surveyed value financial transparency in their relationships, only 41 per cent of couples had the "money talk" with their partner after they had moved in together, or around the time they got married or became common-law.
The best time to start the conversation about finances is now. Ewing said that starting talks early on can help couples get on the same page. Conversations about how your partner likes to save, invest, or spend will allow you to better understand their habits and whether they align with yours.
"Couples don’t have to navigate financial conversations alone. Professionals, can help couples understand where the other is coming from and reach something that works for both of them."
