From Yahoo! Finance, “According to a new survey by McGraw-Hill Federal Credit Union, one-third of couples lie, disagree, or cover up when it comes to holiday spending.

The credit union queried a diverse group of American couples about their holiday shopping habits using the ABC comedy “Modern Family” as a guide. Although “general market” marrieds say they disagree and dissemble the most, all types of couples report differences over holiday spending.

“The holiday season amplifies the anxiety that couples can sometimes feel, especially during uncertain economic times,” says McGraw-Hill Federal Credit Union President/CEO Shawn Gilfedder. “We find that some couples go into ‘defense’ mode and avoid difficult yet necessary financial conversations. Avoiding money talk can create tension in relationships that only honest communication and financial education can heal.”

When it comes to fibbing about what they spend, fully one-third of the heterosexual marrieds (34%) admit they’ve lied to their spouse, making transparency among married couples the lowest of any group. Of the divorced and same-sex segment, only 25% admit to white “spending” lies, possibly indicating that gay and previously divorced couples may be more transparent when it comes to financial issues, or that they may not comingle finances and are therefore not discussing financial issues.”

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