Good Morning DINKS. Today I would like to discuss our DINK morals and a choice that hopefully none of us will ever have to make. As DINKS we are all in a Dual Income Relationship without Kids. This means that we have double the revenue coming in and we do not have the big expense of raising children. But, what if your spouse didn’t work. I am not talking about your spouse losing their job; I am talking about getting into a relationship when one of the two people is not working. Would you enter into a relationship that doesn’t have money?
Some people say that money can’t keep us warm at night but our spouse can. Is it more important to you to have someone to share your life with, even if that person is broke; or do you prefer to be financially well off because it is actually money (not marriage) that makes you happy?
Couples and Marriages break up all the time over money (among other things). This leads me to believe that money is more important than love because if we really truly love our spouse than money wouldn’t be an issue. Although I do have to admit that my boyfriend Nick and I do argue (indirectly) about money. When we sit down and think about it almost everything, whether directly or indirectly, always revolves around money. However I don’t think that I would ever leave my boyfriend over money because my love for him is stronger than my love for money; but I can’t say that I would ever start dating someone who didn’t have a job.
There are so many other aspects of a relationship, such as compatibility, similar interests, family values and long term goals that can cause a new (or old) couple to break up. When we add money into the mix things just become more complicated. I admit that money can be a very stressful subject especially if we don’t have it.
The reason I bring up the subject of money and marriage is because I have a friend who recently started dating a new guy. They have been on a few dates over the last couple of weeks and only recently she found out that he doesn’t actually work. She seems to really like him but she isn’t sure that she can be in a committed relationship with a man who doesn’t make any money.
For the time being it is ok that he doesn’t work or earn an income because their relationship is still new, but if they were to become serious my friend doesn’t want to be stuck always paying the bill for everything. The guy has a Bachelors Degree and he should have no problem finding a job, but my friend is always worried about the “what if”. What if he doesn’t find a job, what if she ends up paying for their mortgage, groceries, and other monthly bills?
It may be better for my friend to break up with the guy while their relationship is still new and they are not too attached to each other. Two years down the road when the couple is emotionally committed to each other it may be harder to walk away if money is still an issue.
DINKS I ask you, if you were not yet in love, would you enter into a relationship if the other person didn’t work?
Photo by Ma1974
Kristina Tahnyak
Tahnya is a Certified Financial Planner and former Investment Advisor turned marketing and communications professional She holds a degree from Concordia University, is debt free and currently works in the field of digital marketing.
Like you, I would never choose money over love, but in my opinion, a better question for your friend to ask herself or him, is about his ambitions and goals. Does he have a plan of action or some sort of purpose for his life? If the answer is no, I would seriously consider moving the relationship into another direction. The fact that he isn’t working now, doesn’t mean he will always be unemployed. But it would be hard for me to commit to a man who does not have a plan for his future. Non commitment or lack of planning is a sign of complacency and that is definitely a bad sign.
As a friend of mine said: You can’t help who you fall in love with, but you can help who you get to know.
I would not date someone who didn’t have a job, or wasn’t at least actively looking for one. Ambition is key. However, that being said–I make more money than my spouse and at times–it has put a really big strain on our relationship. However, i have gotten a lot better about it, and I would say 95% of the time, I am much happier now married and broke, than I was when I was “rich” and single : )
I agree with you both. We can’t put a price on companionship, however only if we are already in love. New relationships need to have ambition otherwise where are we going!?!?
Since I was in a serious relationship that failed mostly because of money issues, I think that being on the same page with finances is more important than anything else. I would even say to start out the relationship talking about money and the habits that go with it.
I don’t mind if a guy makes less money than me or not, it’s just about the attitude. If he’s lazy and has the “poor me” attitude, that won’t work with with my personality. I’m driven and enjoy having a career, so if I have a partner that’s indifferent we will eventually part ways.
I wouldn’t choose money over love, but I would choose more compatible attitudes.
I love my fiance tremendously, but I feel strained on the money issue because I’m supporting him and no longer saving for myself. I didn’t think it would be a problem, but I’ve embarassed myself with how much of an issue it has become to me.
I just accepted and moved to a job across the country and he came with me. Doing so meant leaving a situation where he walked to work, to one where he had to buy a car and pay for gas… with the new engagement ring on top of his new financial burdens, he can’t make ends meet in the short term. In the short term (12 months), we have no money for a wedding or savings. Obviously, I am overjoyed and thankful to have him in my life, and it’s only a temporary situation, but I think that money is always going to be a big issue in relationships, love or not.
@Camille – Hey Girl at least you got a ring…I’m still waiting :-) There is no rush for the wedding, maybe you will have a wait a year or two longer but it’s ok because at least you are together and as you said the tight finances are just a temporary situation. Keep your head up :-)
Pingback:Should DINKS become Single Income Couples because they can afford it? | DINKS Finance