It's the classic opposites attract pattern. Someone who is anxious and likes to have control, for example, will often partner with someone who has a happy-go-lucky "it's going to be all right" attitude, she said. Those mentalities can bleed into every area of their financial lives, affecting communication and decision-making.
But in Clayman's experience coaching couples with these very issues, there's an obvious sign they're going to be able to overcome them: They're paying attention.
Couples who have a mutual awareness of their money are the most successful
Clayman said one of the biggest money obstacles people face is a habit of avoidance — not checking your account balance, not bringing up financial concerns with a partner, not knowing exactly how much you spend each month, and the like. Avoidance is one of the primary coping mechanisms for managing anxiety, she said, and it's very difficult to overcome.