Understanding Financial Future Faking
In today’s dating landscape, a troubling trend is emerging among younger generations—financial future faking. This form of deception involves making grand financial promises early in a relationship, such as owning a home together or achieving long-term stability, without any real plans to follow through. It’s essentially the financial equivalent of romantic catfishing, and it’s becoming a significant contributor to divorces among Gen Z and millennials.
This phenomenon is an offshoot of the psychological manipulation known as “future faking,” where one partner uses vague promises of a shared future to gain control or commitment from the other. However, when it involves money, the stakes—and the emotional damage—are even higher.
Why It’s Affecting Younger Generations
Celebrity divorce attorney Jackie Combs, a partner at Los Angeles-based firm BlankRome, has witnessed this firsthand. Combs, who has represented high-profile clients such as Emily Ratajkowski and Chris Appleton, shared with Fortune that a lack of financial transparency and alignment is a recurring theme in modern divorces.
“When money becomes a source of leverage, or when expectations are never clearly articulated, it fractures communication, creates misalignment, and erodes trust,” Combs explained.
Gen Z and millennials are particularly vulnerable to this trend due to the economic challenges they face. From student loan debt and a soft job market to skyrocketing housing costs, many in these age groups are already financially strained. Add in the pressure of achieving aspirational lifestyles seen on social media, and the result is a generation primed for disillusionment when financial promises fall flat.
The Role of Cultural and Familial Influences
Combs also points out that many young people grew up in households where money was a taboo subject. This lack of open discussion leaves them ill-equipped to ask crucial financial questions early on in relationships. Compounding this issue is a consumer culture that glamorizes luxury and romance—think dream weddings and “soft life” aesthetics—without addressing the financial realities behind them.
The illusion of a perfect wedding, for example, can be dangerously misleading. According to the BRC Wedding Service Global Market Report 2025, the wedding industry was valued at $218 billion in 2024 and is expected to balloon to $362 billion by 2029. The average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is currently around $33,000, which is nearly half the average American salary.
“Fantasy often outpaces financial reality,” said Combs. These high expectations can set couples up for disappointment when their financial situation doesn’t align with their romantic aspirations.
Spotting the Signs of Financial Future Faking
Identifying financial future faking isn’t always easy, especially in the early stages of a relationship when emotions run high. Common red flags include:
- Vague yet grand financial promises
- Lack of transparency about income, debt, or spending habits
- Delays in making concrete financial plans
Combs cautions that words like, “We’ll buy a house one day” or “I’ll be earning six figures soon” without any action plan or discussion of how to get there can be misleading. “Sincerity is reflected in alignment between words and behavior,” she said. “Vague optimism without structure is a red flag.”
How and When to Talk About Money
Having financial conversations early on is crucial to building a healthy relationship. Combs encourages couples to talk about money before making significant commitments like moving in together or combining finances. That doesn’t mean sharing detailed financial information on the first date, but rather asking value-based questions that reveal priorities and attitudes toward money.
Some helpful questions to ask include:
- “If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?”
- “What does financial security mean to you?”
- “What’s your biggest financial fear?”
Combs advises approaching these discussions with curiosity rather than judgment. “Being open and vulnerable can foster trust and deepen emotional connection,” she noted.
The goal of these conversations isn’t to force commitment but to assess compatibility and minimize risk. Understanding your partner’s financial mindset can help ensure you’re both aligned in your long-term goals, reducing the likelihood of unpleasant surprises down the road.
Ultimately, financial future faking serves as a cautionary tale for anyone entering a serious relationship. Being honest, transparent, and proactive about money can protect both your heart—and your wallet.
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.