I have a problem lying constantly to my wife. They are small things and big things, and I can’t quit doing it. I lied over calling someone she did not wish for me to call today; I’ve lied over completing simple tasks I did not get done; I lie over simple commitments I make. Not only have I lied but I, for months, was using a bank account she rarely looks at to buy extra meals, rather than simply mentioning to her I think we needed to buy bigger meals to pack for lunch. I love her; know we will be happier if I am only honest; and want to stop.

The thing is, I know that what I lie about is silly—often it’s small things that would not anger her, but then she is angered by the lie. Part of the problem is that I screw things up a lot—I lose things and forget things and then cover my tracks by lying. We should be able to be happy but I keep lying over simple things. I think some of it is that I always lie to authority figures and i’ve begun to consider her one—but that doesn’t fully explain it. Sometimes I think I am just a hapless liar. How do I stop? What are some tricks for quitting simple, everyday lying? What has worked for you?