We definitely think that everyone should be in a long-term relationship because they love their partner. However, we’re not naive to think that things like financial stability don’t matter. Money, drive, and ambition are important… but they can’t be the only reasons you tie the knot with somebody. It can lead to a lot of misery down the road. Though in some cases, the story can take an unexpected turn (with a few twists in between).
To see what marrying for money is really like, Bored Panda went digging for gold all over Reddit. And today we’re bringing you a whole host of candid stories where people share what marrying just for money is really like and what it leads to. Check out the stories below and share the list with your single and married friends to see what they think, too.
When you’re done reading, we’d love to hear about your relationships, Pandas. Has money ever come between you and your partner? Would you ever consider marrying someone just for their Scrooge McDuck-sized swimming pool full of money? What’s the love-to-cash ratio that you think is reasonable? You can share your thoughts in the comments.
Bored Panda reached out to financial expert Sam Dogen to have a chat about marrying for money, financial stability, and how to tell if someone might be with you just because you're rich. Sam is the author of 'Buy This, Not That: How to Spend Your Way to Wealth and Freedom' (out July 19) and the founder of the Financial Samurai blog. Read on for the full interview and to learn why marrying your equal is better than marrying rich.
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#21
My cousin married a Mexican girl that needed citizenship in the US. She got her citizenship, divorced him, and took half his money.
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47points
#22
My sister married for money. She had a big house, expensive cars, unlimited spending limit etc .. She was happy cause she got everything she wanted. We grew up poor and she worked hard for years before she met Sam. Well she didn't love him and she cheated on him with the man she loved. She left her glamours lifestyle to live in a one bedroom apartment. She now works in the meat deli.
Do what you want but set up a bank account and some money for a rainy day. You may end up like my sister. Or you may grow to love this man your with in time.
Do what you want but set up a bank account and some money for a rainy day. You may end up like my sister. Or you may grow to love this man your with in time.
43points
#23
I am currently dating someone who I am not as fond of as I should be considering how serious we are.. but it's hard to think past the money.
Her immediate family has approximately 100 million+ in the bank, the largest and most dominant business in their respective market and she loves me beyond control.
Her driveway of Ferrari's and Bentley's and knowing that I could be handed a 6 figure job any time I want one if I'm willing to commit is troubling to my mind and my soul but I cannot get past the thoughts of "what if" .....
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38points
#24
I dated a trust fund girl who cheated on me repeatedly. I think in hindsight I stayed with her for the thought of money. It was not worth it.
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35points
#25
I have two distant cousins. Family gatherings were the only time I would see them. When they were in their late teens and early twenties I would hear them talk about how their goal in life is to marry a rich guy and get pregnant. They were very vocal about this. Everyone in our families knew. They weren't uneducated either. Both of them were in college and finished (can't remember specifics). They were also fairly attractive. Not so much in the face. I would rate their face a 6-7, but their bodies were 10's. They were tall and looked like models.
The younger one got married first. She was 23. The guy she married was a genuinely nice guy. Very successful but not private jet or helicopter successful. They lived in a very nice place in the city and drove $80k+ cars. Months after they got married, she is pregnant. Just like she planned. A few years go by, and, surprise surprise, they are getting a divorce. Why? Because the economy tanked, and his business failed. The kicker is that they still had millions of dollars AFTER the market tanked in assets and investments. Apparently, this wasn't enough for her. She now collects alimony. There are enough stories about this one to fill a book.
The older one got married a few years ago. She was the uglier of the two but still very attractive. She, imo, was also the smarter of the two. While still a gold digger, she was more about love. She had boyfriends she fell in love with but ended the relationships because they weren't rich enough. One of them was a small business owner whose business took off shortly after, and I remember her being depressed about it. Pathetic. She ended up marrying a very successful guy, and, surprise surprise, ended up pregnant months after. They are still together, and I give their relationship a decent chance of lasting only because she is more loving. Her sister is cold-hearted, and an all-around b***h.
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34points
#26
A friend of mine got married in the military to double his pay. He thought to ask a girl who was an ex but was who was also his seemingly toned-down stalker. She wasn't toned-down at all. The money outweighed the thought I guess. It went horribly bad.
It's been about four years now and she's creepily sending him mail from her base and constantly, negatively harassing him even though they both agreed it was for the dough. She refuses to sign divorce papers so it's making his life incredibly difficult to try and separate.
Though, he probably should have thought before marrying his stalker. In retrospect, he said, it wasn't awfully worth it.
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34points
#27
We got engaged in fall of 2010. I worked FT at the college she went to. We found out that the college covers all tuition for immediate family that's not covered by FAFSA. So we went to the court and got married, with full plans to have an actual ceremony in July 2012. In early September 2011, she confessed she had been having doubts about us for a long time, and moved out shortly after. After 7 months of separation, we're now getting divorced.
So not exactly strictly for money, but if it weren't for the financial benefits, we wouldn't have gotten married until this summer.
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31points
#28
My good friend got fake gay married to a Danish guy for the health benefits... not a bad idea!
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29points
#29
Totally different?
My sister sucked up to my Dad, because he had money. I refused to play along. He is kinda awful, underneath.
King Lear much? He said he'd send us both to private school, we just had to say we loved him.
My Dad got a lump sum retirement, he sank most of it in AOL. I hope my sister her enjoys having him as a friend now!
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25points
#30
My dad's third wife and kinda my mom married for the money. It was all about money. Everything was about money and looks. That’s all anyone talked about. Now my dad's younger ex-third wife lives with her vapid emotionally messed up daughter who supports her despite having gotten everything when my dad [passed away]. She went deeply into debt expecting more. What a waste of a family. She started dating my dad like ten years before he left my mom. She blames my dad like he was some controlling monster but she was a hot 19-year-old. Then she got rich in real estate. She has zero excuses for the train wreck her life has become. Despite everything, my mom went on to kick ass all by herself. But my mom was also the classic angry first wife despite being the hot second wife. So there’s that. As someone who married a poor man and now supports myself and raises kids mostly alone, I want to wring all of their necks for the stupid s**t they freak out over and make important. I wouldn’t choose that life again in a million years. It’s poor misery. Back biting. Catty. Depressed aimless kids. Petty drama.
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18points