Couples: what if you clash over cash? - WFLA-TV News Channel 8

Money can be cause for friction in many relationships. A recent survey by credit website www.myfico.com showed just 12 percent of people say they have the same spending habits as their partner. Which means 88 percent do not.

Understanding how those habits were formed, at a young age, is key according to Gary Foreman of the Bradenton-based money saving website www.thedollarstretcher.com.

"At a quiet time, when you are not already arguing about money, sit back and ask your mate about their experiences with money. What was it like when they were growing up? Did they have an abundance of money in their family or were things very tight?"

Foreman says you want to help your spouse live within their money expectations. "If you have a spouse who needs to have a few dollars in their pocket or purse that they can spend without your approval create a system so they can do that. Don't fuss at them every time they buy a two dollar latte at Starbucks."

However, if your spouse is a chronic over spender: "It's really usually symptomatic of something that is deeper." If you find yourselves constantly butting heads about money consider counseling, says Foreman.

Also, try to find some goals that you can share together, says Foreman. "Maybe you both want a vacation next summer at a beach resort." That's when you put your heads together and strategically figure out how you will go about saving to make that happen.