In Get Real: Marriage is a Business [1] Liz Pulliam Weston gives valuable advice regarding the relationship between finance and love, in modern marriages. Many people rush blindly into relationships without thinking about the financial and legal picture. At a time when financial hardship is the number one reason for divorce, that’s a dangerous prospect.
In their book Smart Girls Marry Money [2], Elizabeth Ford and Daniela Drake advise women to protect themselves, financially, by marrying rich men. The premise of their book is that, rather than waste the prime of their lives working to help make their men successful--only to be tossed aside for a younger model. They should, find a man who is already successful and position themselves for a generous settlement if it all goes south.
On the surface, this seems like a good idea, but in her article Do Smart Women Marry Money? [3] Liz Pulliam Weston explains why marrying up is not the only, or the best, option.
The biggest problem with marrying for money is that the money still belongs to him. As long as you’re married, you’ll reap the benefits of a rich husband. But, in the age of prenups, viagra and adult children from previous marriages, there’s no guarantee that the money will be there when he’s gone.
The best course of action is to take charge of your own finances rather than depend on a rich Prince Charming. If you take charge of your own life you’ll have the one thing you can’t get from a rich husband-- complete control over your own money.
If you’re OK with the idea of being financially dependent on someone else--and are willing to gamble that they’ll always support you--then go the rich man route.
If you want true financial freedom, build your own fortune and aim for a relationship with an equal partner.