Do you hide purchases from your spouse?

Well, according to this article from CNN Money, shopping is a hot zone for married couples - 80 percent of those surveyed hide purchases from their spouse on a regular basis. And men are more likely to do the hiding. 

In our household, both of us have done a little purchase stashing here and there. Last week for example, I came home with a new pair of shoes - I left them in the bag and put it under my desk in my office instead of in the bedroom closet. And a couple of weeks ago my husband finally fessed up to buying a new pair of pants online (he had no choice - he was wearing them and I noticed). 

In the end, it was no big deal - we could afford both items and they didn’t break the bank. Trouble comes when hidden purchases indicate a clash of values or lead to a lack of trust over time - and that’s a problem. 

For us, it’s more about autonomy - everyone needs a little personal space, especially when you’re in a relationship that’s marked by financial interdependence. Sometimes you just want to buy something and not have to explain it or answer to anyone. And with our debt diet, the pressure's on to save, save, save. 

There’s a great suggestion in the same CNN article - couples should try and set aside a bit of cash each month for “mad money.” Spouses can spend it on whatever they want, without having to explain it to anyone else. I think it’s a great idea and one I’ll bring up with my husband when we have our monthly budget meeting.  

In the meantime, chime in below if you’ve ever hidden a purchase from your significant other. What did you hide and why?