Keeping a secret to maintain peace at home

Dubai: Many people keep their spending under wraps in order to avoid problems at home.

A survey by CESI Debt Solutions released last year showed that 43 per cent of married Americans spent money secretly because they wanted to avoid an argument with their spouse.

Another 46 per cent said they were currently paying off the debt that their wife or husband doesn't know about.

Others, about 19 per cent, were worried that their spending habits would spell trouble and eventually end the relationship. Eleven per cent had intentions of opening up to their spouse, but they were not just completely ready to do the good deed.

However, 27 per cent had decided they would never tell their partner about their spending.

Among UAE residents, the majority of those surveyed by Visa (77 per cent) said their secret purchases were intended as gifts, while 22 per cent secretly bought something funny and delivered it unsigned to a friend.

Seven per cent of those who admitted to secret shopping said buying something just for themselves felt good, while 3 per cent confessed they had to keep their mouth shut because they just spent too much.

UAE residents secretly splurged on electrical and technology items.

In the US, 34.5 per cent secretly bought clothing and accessories and 24 per cent spent money on food or dining without their partners' knowledge.

About 19 per cent bought beauty or personal items in secret and 16.5 per cent sneaked in gift items. About 13 per cent admitted to having spent secretly on alcohol.