Svelte, I think you’re confusing “marrying for money” with wanting to marry someone who won’t destroy your marriage due to financial difficulties. That can manifest itself in many ways: flippant attitude toward debt, lack of work ethic or sense of responsibility, spendthrift ways, etc.

No offense, but (totally IMHO) a person would have to be a complete idiot if they didn’t take these things into consideration when choosing a mate.

And we definitely have different priorities at different stages in life. I’m sure many of us would have dated (maybe married) someone like you’ve described yourself at the age of 19 or even 21. Not so much at the age or 30 or 40. There is an expectation that people will have fun when young, but manage to find a foothold, improve their circumstances, and gain more responsibility as they get older. Might want to ask you wife if she would marry you *today* if you were still bumming around the CC campus, living with parents, and broke. 🙂

Money is just ONE of many variables that is taken into consideration when choosing a mate, especially when choosing one with whom you plan to have a family.