Four in ten (39 percent) of Americans in committed relationships admit to cheating financially, according to a new study by Bankrate.com.  A quarter (23 percent) say they currently keeping financial secrets from their spouse or significant other.

Financial infidelity between couples might include keeping a secret stash of money the other doesn’t know about, hiding credit card purchases or balances, spending more than a partner would be OK with, or hiding significant debt.

Regardless, a lack of financial communication between partners can have disastrous effects on financial planning in the long-term. Many couples would agree: 52% of U.S. adults say financial cheating is at least as bad as physical cheating. Of those, 12% believe it’s even worse.

Moreover, younger generations are more likely to be cheating financially. While 29 percent each of Gen Xers and baby boomers plead guilty, more than half of Gen Zers (63 percent) and millennials (54 percent) have kept or are keeping financial secrets from a partner.

Talking about money isn’t always easy. But having ongoing, productive conversations about your money and finances is critically important.

Topics you should consider discussing include:

• What are our most important life and financial goals?

• What is our budget, spending, and saving? Are we on track to be where we want financially?

• What are each of our financial strengths and challenges?

• How can we work together to make the best financial decisions?

• How can we course-correct to better achieve our financial objectives?

• When do we want to retire? What do we most want to do in our retirement years?

• What are our greatest financial worries? What can we do to have greater peace of mind for both of us?

• If one of us passes on, will the other be financially secure?

On Valentine’s Day week, you might consider taking on a few of these topics. Remember, if you work together as a highly effective financial team you are far more likely to achieve your dreams.