Arthur Fuentes

Article (news)

Aneth Ng-Lim, Paying It Forward

Aneth Ng-Lim

<div><br/></div><p>In a marriage, infidelity can be painful, whether it happens with another partner or with your wallet.</p><p>While most couples consider infidelity to be engaging in a sexual or an emotional relationship with a third party, the act of being unfaithful can cover other aspects too, including money.</p><p>If you find out your husband goes to casinos without your knowledge, or if you discover your wife owes tens of thousands in credit card debt, how would you react?  How about realizing that your spouse financially supports his parents, his siblings, or hides from you his or her true income?  Even assets that he or she owns?</p><p>Money cheating, also called financial infidelity, can pose serious harm to your relationship.  In many cases, the loss of trust led to the breakdown of the marriage, resulting in separation, even annulment.  Don’t let this happen to yours by taking positive action.</p><div><strong>Time to open up</strong></div><p>If you find yourself in this situation, start by having an honest conversation.  You might be angry, you may feel betrayed, but it’s important to stay calm and keep the communication lines open.  </p><p>Sit down and get the full picture of your partner’s financial infidelity.  It may not be as bad as you imagined.  Is it just this one time?  Or has it been going on for a while?  How much debt is it?  Probe the secret spendings and other money deceptions.</p><div><strong>Rebuild trust</strong></div><p>To move forward, the spouse who has been leading a secret money life should apologize and earnestly promise to change.  He or she must commit to be financially honest, and the other spouse must be able to accept the apology and the promise of open behavior.   </p><p>Another way to rebuild trust is to create a shared budget.  You can have a joint account to pay off the debts or for shared expenses.  For breathing room, it would be good to also agree on personal money, meaning you each get a slush fund that you can spend without needing the other’s approval, and without feeling guilty.</p><div><strong>Seek professional help</strong></div><p>Some couples go for counselling to strengthen their marriage.  Couples therapy can help you communicate better and process your emotions.  But just as importantly, consider seeing a financial advisor who can help you with at least two things: one, to sort out the recently discovered money problems; and two, set up a money plan for your future.  The first is intended to deal with the issue and the second is your commitment to both stay together and make the marriage work.</p><div><strong>The bottom line</strong></div><p>Let’s hope these 3 steps can help resolve the damaged trust and your financial position.  For lasting recovery, both partners must be willing to do all these 3 steps not just one time, but whenever necessary.  </p><p>Keep the open communication and if either one of you makes another money mistake, come clean right away.  Set up that shared budget and stick to it.  Get professional help – from a therapist or a financial planner or both – whenever you feel it can help.  Financial infidelity is not an easy pill to swallow, but it can be healed with mutual commitment and effort.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4ExyPlTKKmg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>While most couples consider infidelity to be engaging in a sexual or an emotional relationship with a third party, the act of being unfaithful can cover other aspects too, including money.</p>

While most couples consider infidelity to be engaging in a sexual or an emotional relationship with a third party, the act of being unfaithful can cover other aspects too, including money.

When your partner cheats on you with money

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Business

When your partner cheats on you with money

Aneth Ng-Lim

Published Sep 16, 2025 12:53 PM PHT

Read More:

personal finance

marriage

partner infidelity

relationship issues

money cheating

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.