Ramit Sethi claims that money avoidance in relationships stems from individuals creating sophisticated, false narratives to ignore financial reality in the same way they ignore health issues.

“It's easy to ignore these problems because they're not really acute. They're just little degree by degree. And that's the same with money where we have clues like a partner getting anxious when you bring up money or suddenly you see this $27 overdraft fee in your checking account.”

Cassandra recognizes that she shares responsibility for their financial situation by choosing to remain disengaged from their accounts and allowing her husband to manage everything alone.

“I wasn't expecting it, but I also felt very hurt. Like, I also knew that I can't just like, you know, say, "Oh, this is all his fault." I have to take my part in it. I just kind of sat back and let him deal with everything.”