What of money and dating in these hard times?

Good article taken from the web. Suitable for couples who are dating and facing financial difficulties or differences in opinion towards spendage and savings.

Despite the sinking economy, a new survey finds that people still choose love over money and money problems.

The nationwide survey by True.com, a scientifically based online relationship service, focused specifically on love and money and had 2,286 respondents.

Among the findings:

• 
  IN PRACTICE, THOUGH? 95% of men and 87% of women say it does not matter if you make more money than the person you are dating


• 
  STAND BY YOUR (WO)MAN: 87% of men and 80% of women would stay in a relationship where their partner had "substantial" credit card debt or had filed for bankruptcy


• 
  A LITTLE WOBBLY, BUT OK: 73% of men and 68% of women feel secure in their current financial situation


• 
  MAKING THE MOVE TO LOW-KEY: Just under half of the men and a little more than a third of the women surveyed said they would not curb their dating spending in a tight economy


• 
  WHO SHOULD PAY ON THE FIRST DATE? 78% of men thought they should pay; women had a different perspective: less than 1% of women felt it was their job, 25% of women thought they should split the bill and 22% thought whoever did the asking should pay

BE MONEY SAVVY WHEN DATING

True.com offers these tips to stay financially fit while playing the field:

• 
  Be wary if someone you're dating shies away from conversations about their finances


• 
  A strong work ethic may be more important than job title; seek a mate who works hard first, don't be tricked by a fancy-sounding title


• 
  Understand a partner's, or potential partner's, financial past and what they bring into a relationship - whether that's positive or negative - and determine if you're comfortable with taking on that financial history


• 
  Have discussions about whether you're a "spender" or a "saver," and whether you use cash or credit to make most purchases

- Copyright (C) 2008 MCT Information Services

Eileen's personal note:
It is not easy to adapt or adjust to a partner's lifestyle when it comes to dating. There are so many things you need to explore, get used to and learn to adapt (whether you choose to face it or not, it will come by, it is just a matter of time). Financial (or "ka ching") is definitely an issue that we will try to avoid especially in the beginning of a relationship. It is very hard for a "spender" and a "saver" to adjust to each other's lifestyle, coz their understanding of enjoying life is very different.


The "spender" believes in living at the moment and enjoy life the fullest. They believe only to worry when rainy days strike or things will turn out ok somehow or another. Most of the time when they are desperate, these are the people who gamble, waste their life (drinking, drugs etc) or worse still --- commit suicide.

Pros: Enjoy life
Cons: Financial insecurity/unstable


The "saver" believes that money is never enough and always believe that rainy days are just around the corner. They save and save, counting every pennies they have and normally have detailed financial plans or cling tightly to their bank account book.

Pros: Ready for rainy days; financially secure/stable
Cons: Constantly fear of rainy days and do not enjoy life as much.

Couple combination:

1. Saver + Saver = Financial security/stability + hopefully learns to enjoy life


2. Spender + Saver = Financial stability if saver can influence spender + enjoy life if spender can teach saver


3. Spender + Spend = JIALAT LOR... but if you are David Beckham + Victoria Beckham couple then it is ok. You have the earning power, so you have the right to spend it!!!

Are you a spender or a saver? How about your partner?