The Complications of Sex & Money

by Cathi Hanauer and Daniel Jones

In the end, that may be even nicer than the Lexus and the diamonds.

His Take: Earning potential is an issue that will only become more important as you start a family, buy a house, and the swooning-in-love phase of your relationship gives way to the complicated dynamic of marriage.

I find it sad that this guy—who presumably works hard for something he cares about for modest pay— should be punished for what he values. But it would be far worse for you to marry Mr. Nonprofit now, and then complain 10 years down the line about his stagnant income level.

I can already see the scene where you demand that he give up on the Nigerian orphans and get that damned corporate real estate license because his measly paychecks simply can’t cover the nanny and the timeshare. Bottom line: Either change your priorities and keep him, or keep your priorities and spare him.