- 71% of Brits say that similar money goals are important when choosing a long-term partner
- Almost a fifth admitted to ending a relationship or not pursuing one due to the other person's financial position or approach
- Brits rank planning and security as the top money love language in themselves and prospective partners
Financial compatibility is becoming a defining factor in modern relationships, with new research from savings app Spring revealing that just over seven in ten Brits (71%)1 consider shared money goals essential when choosing a long‑term partner and almost a fifth claiming they have ended or not progressed a relationship because of a partner’s financial habits.
Spring’s study of 2,000 UK adults found that, for some, financial alignment is a must-have, with one in five (20%) placing financially responsible as one of their top 3 attributes in a prospective partner, and just over one in ten (12%) seeking someone whose entire approach to money mirrors their own.
According to the research, having different financial priorities has even ended some relationships, with a partner's attitude towards money being a dealbreaker for some. Almost a fifth of respondents (18%) said they have ended, or chosen not to pursue, a relationship because of a partner’s financial approach or position.
The average balance held in accounts earning 1% or less is £3,133, and the majority of balances, £47bn, are held in accounts with balances of more than £10,000, leaving huge amounts of money earning next to nothing.
The period from June to July 2025 saw the biggest increase in balances, as they tripled from £9 billion to £30 billion in just one month, as providers with low‑paying accounts reduced rates even further. The number of accounts also increased sharply between June and July, rising from 3.8 million to 7.9 million.
Money love languages
The research also highlights how Brits predominantly seek partners whose ‘money love languages’ mirror their own.
When asked what characteristics best described their own money love language, planning and security topped the list, with almost a quarter (24%) of respondents identifying clear plans and stability as the truest expression of how they manage and relate to money.
Shared experiences (21%) followed closely behind, with many prioritising trips, meals out and time spent together as the financial gestures that feel most meaningful. Open conversations came next (18%), reflecting the value people place on being able to discuss money honestly.
When asked which characteristics they seek in a partner, there was a strong correlation with their own approach. Those who see themselves as planners appear to want partners who operate the same way, with almost half (45%) seeking someone who also prioritises financial stability. A similar pattern emerged across other money love languages, from open conversations (42%) to shared experiences (43%), suggesting that people tend to gravitate toward partners whose financial behaviour mirrors their own.
| Your money ‘love language’ | % | What money ‘love language’ you seek in a partner | % (out of those who selected the money love language in the adjacent column as their own money love language) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planned: Having clear plans and stability | 24% | Planned: Having clear plans and stability | 45% |
| Shared experiences: Prioritising spending on trips, meals out and time together | 21% | Shared experiences: Prioritising spending on trips, meals out and time together | 43% |
| Open: Honest chats and alignment around money | 18% | Open: Honest chats and alignment around money | 42% |
| Spontaneous: Focus on little surprises and YOLO moments | 13% | Shared experiences: Prioritising spending on trips, meals out and time together | 25% |
| Practical: Handle all the money tasks smoothly | 10% | Open: Honest chats and alignment around money | 21% |
| Frivolous: Spend first, think later | 5% | Open: Honest chats and alignment around money | 20% |
Communication remains key
Financial conversations remain a key pillar of healthy communication in relationships, with nearly half (45%) of Brits saying they always or often discuss financial goals or worries with their partner.
The research also shows a clear desire for shared responsibility in managing finances. Six in ten (61%)2 say that they prefer planning financial goals as a couple, highlighting how central collaborative financial decision‑making has become in modern relationships. Over half (56%)2 enjoy having regular money check-ins and a similar percentage (57%)2 say they find it easy to discuss money worries with their partner, suggesting that open dialogue is increasingly the norm rather than the exception.
Spring Head of Money Derek Sprawling said:
"It’s clear that financial compatibility has become one of the modern foundations of a strong relationship. Whether it’s planning ahead together, sharing experiences or simply being open about money, these findings show that how we manage our finances says a lot about people’s relationships. When couples feel aligned on money, it can take pressure off daily life and create more room for the moments that matter.”
Download Spring today – your helpful savings companion
Spring’s app, built using Open Banking technology, connects seamlessly to customers’ existing current accounts, providing genuine easy access with a competitive rate of 3.82% AER. With no withdrawal limits or fees, and 24/7 UK‑based support, Spring empowers users to take control of their savings and build better financial habits.
Spring is available for download on both iOS and Android via the Apple App Store and in Google Play, and customers can apply for an account via the app in minutes.
Effortless saving
Open a Spring Easy Saver today. The Spring app uses open banking to connect to your current account, making saving seamless and simple.
To get started, download the app.
Notes to editors
The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 UK Nat Rep Respondents (18+). The data was collected between 03.02.2026 - 05.02.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.
Contact us
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