Money is one of the most common causes of arguments between couples.

But the key to a good relationship, both with your money and with your partner, is no secret.

As long as you communicate openly and honestly, your chances of maintaining a happy relationship are good – no matter what your financial situation.

So read on for some top tips on keeping the peace.

It is vital to be totally honest with your partner when it comes to your financial affairs.

Recent research shows that people in debt often hide their money worries from those closest to them.

But the huge majority find that, once they have admitted the truth about their finances to their families, it becomes much easier to deal with the situation because everything is out in the open and they no longer have to suffer the guilt of lying to their loved ones.

Of course, you do not have to have debt problems, or even be strapped for cash, to have rows about money.

Arguments about money are often caused by one partner feeling that they put too much into a relationship on a financial level, although the opposite, for example where an individual feels they are not allowed to contribute financially, can also prompt feelings of resentment and therefore rows.

That said, a general lack of cash is perhaps the most likely financial reason for a couple to have relationship issues as a result, especially in these trying times.

If money worries are causing problems between you and your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife or partner, then one sensible step you can take to help avert future tensions is to work out a household budget that you can both agree to stick to.

The good news is that a budget is both quick and easy to achieve. Simply write down how much you earn – down to the penny – each month.

Then write down all the expenses you have as a couple, including the rent or mortgage, utilities bills, groceries, and any other shared costs such as monthly insurance premiums.

Once you see how much money is coming in and going out each month, you can then ensure that you don't spend more than you earn.

This should help to prevent any periods of real hardship, not to mention the rows that go along with such times.

Other tips for avoiding arguments about money include sitting down and discussing your financial goals, setting up a joint account for household bills into which you both pay a set amount each month and setting rough boundaries about how much either of you can spend without consulting the other, for example.

To prevent one person feeling that most of the financial responsibility lies on their shoulders, it is also a good idea for both partners in any relationship to know how much they require for joint outgoings such as council tax and household bills.

This should still be the case even if one partner earns the lion's share of the household income.

Finally, remember to give yourself – and your partner – the occasional treat, even if times are hard.

A bit of quality time together doesn't have to cost the earth and taking the time to light a few candles and prepare a nice home cooked meal that you can enjoy together could avert all manner of relationship tensions.