Married Young

It’s hard for me to talk about my personal problems, and I know this happens to a lot of people. I am not perfect, though I wish I were. I have a serious problem: I spend money like if it grew on trees, then I max out my credit cards, and hide it from my husband. I am not trying to make this a humorous problem, this is the truth. I don’t know why I spend money like I do.
Could it be boredom?
Could it be that I have no control?
Could it be that deep down I am depressed, anxious, or uncaring?
It hurts my husband a lot when I lie to him about money. This is the third time that I max out my credit card, and don’t tell him. I don’t know how to tell him. I don’t even spend the money on outrageous things. I buy groceries, gas, and random stuff for my pets. It makes me feel horrible when I do this to my husband, and like I said, I don’t even know why I hide these things from him.
I went looking online to see if I could find any information on this, and I found out that money is the biggest thing argued about in a marriage. I honestly never knew that. There are a lot of sites dedicated to married couples on how they can fix these problems or work through them.

I found this, which I believe it quite helpful.

How to Cope With Financial Arguments:
First, the main way to keep financial harmony is communication, communication, communication!
•Couples need to take the time to get to know and understand their partner. What experiences did they have with money growing up? How did their parents value money? Note what similarities and differences there are.
•Discuss future goals and dreams. How can both partners work together to achieve them?
•Know what kind of lifestyle the other is expecting to enjoy.
•When discussing money, only talk about money. Do not use it as an excuse to segue into other, unrelated arguments.
•Find a place or an activity that keeps everyone calm during money discussions, like during a hike, listening to music, or when the kids are asleep.
•Fight on behalf of each other. If there is something the other truly wants, work together to plan a way to make it possible. Otherwise, resentment festers.
•Neither spouse should be afraid to say what they are really thinking.
•Instead of focusing on past debts or issues, look forward. Couples should make a game plan targeting how they will work together as a team to resolve debt and save for the future.
•Couples should agree that they must both agree on major purchases before making them.
•Lastly, get outside, objective help. People are more likely to calmly represent their situation to a financial planner than they will be toward their own spouse.
(Found here: http://familyfinances.suite101.com/article.cfm/fighting_over_money)