Money can be a sensitive subject. Whether you’re negotiating a raise with your boss, attempting to buy a new car or home or just trying to split a bill — things always get a little uncomfortable when finances enter the equation. We’ve even heard that people find it easier to talk about sex than money.
But while Americans might not talk about money much, they sure do fight about it.
Just look at our government. Remember the fiscal cliff? How about sequestration? Over the past year, money squabbles have threatened to drag the country into financial turmoil and nearly put an end to bipartisan relations.
When you get down to the personal level, things get even more heated. Money is one of the biggest causes of relationship strife and marital breakdown. According to a recent survey by the American Institute of CPAs, cohabitating couples quarrel over finances an average of three times a month. That’s 36 times a year! And money disputes can also affect parent-child relationships, friendships and even connections with co-workers.
For the past few weeks, we’ve been asking Marketplace Money listeners in our Public Insight Network what their last fight over money was about. Answers included:
- A mother and son arguing about smart phone payments
- Roommates quarreling over food costs
- A married couple battling over new credit card accounts
The responses proved that money arguments are at once infinitely varied and completely universal. So is the desire to be right.
Now, you can be the judge. In a new game we’re calling “Financial Feud,” you can read the arguments, hear from our experts, and hand down your own verdict.
You can also submit your own feud, state your case, and let others decide your fate.
To help us launch the game and get started, tell us: What was your last fight over money about?
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