Finances are a controversial topic in many relationships. From who pays for the first date to how the household expenses are split, the combination of money and relationships can attract some strong opinions and create crises for couples. While many people agree that there must be shared finances within serious relationships, there is a limit to how much most are willing to contribute. If they feel the balance is tipping in a way that doesn’t favor them, problems arise.

This can be especially important for couples who have kids, as they have a responsibility other than themselves to think about. Everybody knows that parenting doesn’t come cheap, and if one parent has to take on the burden of that cost more than the other, it can be a breeding ground for resentment as well as highlighting other issues that are stemming from an unfair relationship dynamic that isn’t being addressed.