A national survey or more than 200 people reveals about 80 percent of spouses acknowledge making secret purchases. To compound this dirty little secret, nearly one-fifth (18.5 percent) of those married admit to having credit cards their spouse knows nothing about…

The survey, conducted for CESI Debt Solutions, reveals 38 percent of married couples are concerned the revelation of their financial unfaithfulness would result in their spouse seeking divorce or separation. Some 43 percent said they wanted to avoid an argument.

What are Americans buying that they don’t want to share with a spouse? Most, 34 percent, don’t want them to know about that new item of clothing or accessory or food/dining (24 percent). Most troubling perhaps is that 24 percent of respondents said they will never tell a spouse about their spending habits…

Hiding purchases from a loved one can signal the beginning of the end, explains Gail Saltz, relationship expert and TODAY Money contributor. “Lying to your partner about (money) is basically a kind of betrayal (and) diminishes the trust between you. Loss of trust usually ends a marriage.