In the current financial climate above all others, money and financial matters are proving to be one of the biggest causes of divorce. As couples struggle to come to terms with rising costs, increased redundancy and unemployment, and the very real risk of negative equity meaning they can’t get a remortgage. This makes life very difficult to live, and causes arguments between couples about what they can afford, and what they can’t.

Sometimes couples try to work things out and set a budget, so that they know exactly how much they have to spend. This means cutting back on luxuries, such as takeaways, DVDs, holidays and treats. It also means reducing outgoings on essentials, such as buying shop brands on groceries and tinned products (like buying Asda Smart Price instead of Heinz) and using discount vouchers cut from magazines.

Ultimately all of the scrimping and saving only goes too far, and costs such as alcohol, cigarettes or things that one partner in the relationship claims they can’t live without can scupper any attempt to work through the problems.

This in turn leads to further arguments, and divorce.

It’s a sad state of affairs when the financial climate causes divorce rates to rise, especially when divorce is so common already, but that seems to be the way society is heading.

Clive Bellmore