Market Share and Financial Pressure: An Overview of Men’s Financial Deals
The furniture store owner uncommonly keeps financial secrets from her partner, a secret shared by 60% of surveyed men after validating with 2,000 participants in a nationwide survey. The study revealed that the top financial lies shared were a hidden savings account (14%), which serves as the most common financial breach, while spending habits and a credit line (12%) on a line of credit were also regularly inflated.
Notably, nearly half of men acknowledged contributing to their financial struggles, with 48% attributing it to self-derived pressures while 27% pointing to societal pressures for men to be financially successful. reveal that facing financial setbacks creates a sense of isolation, with fewer than 50% of men willing to discuss their financial situation—if at all.
Among surveyed men, those who kept financial secrets reported reasons often rooted in embarrassment or shame, with only one in five (19%) indicating they entirely avoided sharing their secrets, fearing embarrassment or shame. This reluctance to disclose financial struggles stems from their fear of breaking the silence around it, especially when their financial health fell below what is considered "good."
The survey results also highlight a strong connection between financial health and mental health, with those who initially scored poorly (rated as 1—poor) demonstrating the lowest levels of mental health (2.8 on average), while those with the highest financial scores (rated as 5—excellent) demonstrated the highest levels of mental well-being (4.6 on average).
Despite their financial struggles, a significant number of surveyed men resented opening up about their financial situation, with only around 41% willing to share their financial information with their partners. This reluctance underscores the broader cultural issue of men feeling emotionally overwhelmed by their financial struggles, fearing silence, and believe it stifles relationships, careers, and mental health.
Beyond Finance CEO Lou Antonelli emphasize that financial anxiety is not an escape but an isolating symptom, which many men are processing without support. “Financial anxiety is isolating, and many men don’t feel safe opening up. This is why we’re encouraging men to stop gambling with their wellbeing and start building both financial and emotional resilience,” she stated. “This survey confirms what we’ve long suspected: men are suffering in silence when it comes to money.”
Fortaneast Financial Therapist Nathan Astle adds another layer by pointing out that society and individual men’s fear of embarrassment, shame, and betrayal drive real harm, not just to personal finances but also to relationships, careers, and mental health. “This isn’t about being perfect,” Astle said, “It’s about giving men permission to be honest about where they are at— and then helping them build a healthier, more hopeful path forward.” This pragmatic approach to financial awareness shifts power dynamics, enabling men to face their financial challenges with honesty and understanding.
