Financial🚨 Red Flags: Signs of 💸 Overspending in a Relationship & How to Fix It! #am05sg

So you smell trouble.

Or just uncertain about the relationship.

Because it has become financially overwhelming.

Or just plain stressful.

💔 When Love Meets Financial Trouble

Love may be priceless, but reckless spending can cost you peace, trust, and financial security.

😨 If one (or both) partners have poor money habits, it can strain even the strongest relationships.

🚩 Ignoring financial red flags today can lead to:
❌ Constant arguments over money 🗣️💸
❌ Struggles to save for important goals 🏡👶
❌ A cycle of debt that’s hard to break 💳💥

Don’t let money ruin your relationship! Here are the biggest warning signs of overspending and how to fix them—together.

🚨 1. Red Flags of Overspending in a Relationship

🔴 A. Frequent Impulse Shopping

Do they always buy things they don’t need? Whether it’s online flash sales 🛍️ or random luxury buys, impulse shopping is a slippery slope.

Source: giphy

Sign to Watch: “I just wanted to treat myself!” (…for the 10th time this month 🤔)

🔴 B. Living Paycheck to Paycheck (Despite Earning Well)

If money disappears every month—even with a good salary—overspending could be the problem.

Sign to Watch: “Where did all my money go?” (Checks bank account… $0 left before payday 😨)

Pro Tip: Use DBS NAV Planner or Seedly App to track spending trends.

🔴 C. Avoiding Money Talks Like the Plague

If your partner gets defensive or changes the subject when you talk about finances, it’s a red flag. Financial transparency is key!

Sign to Watch: “Let’s talk about this later…” (But “later” never comes.)

Source: giphy

🔴 D. Overshooting Budget Limits (Every Time)

You set a $200 budget for date nights. They spend $500.

You agree to save for a trip. They book a luxury suite. 🚨

Sign to Watch: “Oops, I went over budget again… but YOLO!”

🚀 Fix: Use a shared expense tracker like Splitwise or Google Sheets.

🔴 5. Unpaid Debts Piling Up

If your partner keeps rolling over credit card bills or is constantly borrowing money without repaying, it’s a financial red flag. 🚩

Sign to Watch: “I’ll pay it off next month!” (But next month never comes…)

🔥 Fix: Have an honest debt repayment plan before things spiral out of control.

Source: giphy

💡 2. How to Fix Overspending in a Relationship

A. Have an Honest Money Talk (Without Judging)

Start the conversation gently—money is emotional! Use “we” statements instead of blaming.

❌ “You’re terrible with money.”
✅ “Let’s figure out a better way to budget together.”

💬 Talking Points:
💡 What’s your financial goal as a couple?
💡 How much do we spend vs. save each month?
💡 Can we set healthy spending limits

B. Set Clear Spending Boundaries

If one partner overspends on non-essentials, set simple money rules.

💡 Example Spending Rules:
🚫 No unplanned purchases above $100
💳 Use cash or debit instead of credit for daily expenses
📊 Track spending weekly together

🔥 Pro Tip: Consider budgeting apps like OCBC Financial OneView or YNAB to monitor expenses.

Source: giphy

C. Automate Savings & “Guilt-Free” Money

A healthy relationship needs financial freedom. Instead of restricting everything, set up:

💰 Automatic Savings – Fixed % of income into a joint savings account
🎉 Fun Money – Each person gets an allowance for guilt-free spending

Example:

• 🏦 40% Necessities (Rent, Bills, Groceries)
• 💵 30% Wants (Dining, Shopping, Entertainment) OR better yet, Investments ;)
• 🚀 20% Savings (CPF)
• 📃 10% Insurance (Hospital, Accident, Term)

Note: this is my ideal ratio instead of your 50:30:20 ratio but having said that, this is known to be a more aggressive type of portfolio!

✅ D. Focus on Shared Financial Goals

Saving is easier when you have a goal! Dream big together—whether it’s buying an HDB, traveling, or retiring early.

🚀 Money Goals to Work On Together:
🏡 Save for a home down payment
✈️ Budget for an annual couple’s trip
📈 Invest together for financial independence

💡 Pro Tip: Create a joint vision board with financial milestones.

Source: giphy

💎 Love & Money Can Co-Exist!

Money fights can break relationships—but they don’t have to. ❤️ Instead of blaming each other, fix the problem as a team.

✅ Recognize financial red flags early 🚩
✅ Communicate openly about money 💬
✅ Set healthy spending boundaries 💳
✅ Work towards financial freedom—together! 🚀

Source: giphy

💬 Have you faced money issues in a relationship?

Share your experiences below! ⬇️