This study examines the congruency of spending and saving behaviors among married couples. The primary focus of this research was to gain a greater understanding of influences on marital and financial satisfaction. Specifically, this study examines the congruency of (a) husbands’ and wives’ self-perceptions of their own spending and saving behaviors and (b) husbands’ and wives’ perceptions of their partners’ spending and savings behaviors on both marital and financial satisfaction. For this study, the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to guide the tests of congruency of spending and saving perceptions and perceptions of marital and financial satisfaction. Paper and pencil surveys were collected in-person by the author from 108 couples. Three models were tested. Each model was based on the APIM. Actual results from these tests differed from what the APIM predicted. Couples in healthy relationships do not always share an ability to accurately perceive and decipher what the other partner is feeling. This study adds to the literature by showing that husbands and wives often perceive spending and saving behaviors of themselves and of their spouses differently and these perceptions matter in relation to marital satisfaction and financial satisfaction.
