You bought something new, pulled off the tags, then said "What, this old thing?" when your spouse asked about it. Your unemployed brother-in-law just bought a giant flat-screen TV with the "emergency" money your husband lent him. Your credit score took a hit after you forgot to pay your bills — and now you daren't tell your partner.
Sound familiar?
Disagreeing with your spouse or partner about money is not necessarily a bad thing. It's also completely understandable. As an individual, you have priorities about what you want your money to do for you that may or may not line up with your partner (or parents or friends).
More from NBC News:
The Biggest Fears Women Have About Money
Who will go bankrupt first if your neighbor wins the lottery?
So you just got a raise? Here's how to handle your finances
What you need to learn is how to communicate your wishes in a way that's respectful of the fact that their priorities and wishes may not be on track with yours.
Here are some of the most common "financial fights" that couples have, and our tips on the best way to avoid them in the future: