A recent Investors Group poll of married and common-law Canadians reveals that in the last 12 months, four in ten have made a better effort to work together with their spouse or partner on making financial decisions and one in four are talking about money more often.

While 35 per cent of couples admit they disagree about financial matters, 80 per cent said their disagreements were mild.

It's not a bed of roses for all Canadian couples. Fourteen per cent characterized their disagreements about financial matters as severe and 18 per cent said disagreements affected other aspects of their relationship.

Canadian couples are also helping immediate or extended family members during these challenging times. Almost one-fifth report they are providing financial support to at least one family member and the number rises to 24 per cent among females who responded. This suggests women are acting as the "financial caregiver" in many families.

In 2005, the most common spat about money for 31 per cent of Canadians was about spending money, both in general and on specific purchases. Only nine per cent argued about borrowing and debt issues. In comparison, today, 27 per cent argue about money and spending habits while borrowing and debt is the root cause of disagreements for nine per cent of Canadians.

And despite stock market volatility and the economic downturn, 55 per cent report their household is the same financially as compared with a year ago and 19 per cent say it has improved. Across the country, Ontarians and Albertans were most likely to say they were worse off at 31 and 30 percent respectively.