Cheating on your honey with your money

It's a simple fact that lying in a committed relationship isn't really a good idea. And lying about money ranks right up there as one of the worst types of lies. Some even equate it to cheating... financial cheating. And almost one-third of adults in committed relationships has lied to their partner about money.

A survey by Lawyers.com found that 24% of adults in relationships say honesty about money is more important than honesty about fidelity. The survey also found that women are more likely to lie about money to their partners.

Results show that 29% of survey participants admitted that they lied to their partner about money, and most often the lies related to personal spending or spending on children.

With money at the root of so many relationship troubles, it is no wonder that this survey found trouble in paradise. As technology and society change, there are many more ways to spend money... think online shopping and auction sites, the proliferation of credit card offers in the mail, and an abundance of retail outlets.

Temptation is high and spending is made easy. A dangerous combination when partners are relying on honesty but often not getting it.

Forensic accountant Tracy L. Coenen, CPA, MBA, CFE performs fraud examinations and financial investigations through her company, Sequence Inc. Forensic Accounting. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners honored Tracy as the 2007 winner of the prestigious Hubbard Award and her first book, Essentials of Corporate Fraud, will be on bookshelves in March 2008.