You're listening to the Money Clinic on the BBC World Service, part of money and power, a major new season of programs and features exploring how our lives are shaped and reshaped by money and the power that it wields.

This is the first of two programs which put money on relationships under the spotlight.

Every time we get to an argument about this, like every time it has to be something with money,

it's my fault. Many of us find it hard to talk about money, even with those we're closest to, and that can

create big problems.

It's hard to really even think about it because the truth is that we may

lose our home. In this program couples will be opening up to an expert, a

financial therapist who coached them on their personal finances and

relationship issues.

It sounds like you're triggered by that interrogation that you're getting.

When she answers that way way then it triggers me

By being honest about their finances and their feelings they hope to get a better understanding of their relationship with money and with one another.

You need to be honest between us and put everything on the table. I'm Ruth Alexander and I'm in Miami one of the United States most multicultural cities. Tourists are drawn to the pavement cafes of Little Havana,

and the Latin American vibe resonates all over this city.

Almost 70% of the population's Hispanic,

many drawn to the promise of the American dream in the sunshine.

However, the reality is, life's expensive here, and it can be hard to make ends meet and that can put a

strain on people's relationships. In fact money problems are one of the biggest

factors in divorce.

So we're making families appointments with a financial therapist, Gene Thera.

It could be quite a shock to come into a marriage and then find out that your partner has

either debts or assets that you are unaware of or

...