Men, how much would you expect your wife-to-be to earn if you were earning a salary of $100,000?

Question

How important would her income be if you were considering her for a wife? Would it be okay if she earned a salary of ~$36,000? What would be considered not enough income for the partnership to be considered equal?

I would like to know for my own reference.

Use details, please. I got the time to listen. Thank you.

Answer 1

That's an interesting question you pose. Our income ratio after ten years is roughly 3:1 in my favor just as your situation is now. However, neither one of us had 2 nickels to rub together when we got married, so our success and financial gains have been a mutual struggle in spite of the fact that I'm the one who's come out on top in income (at least for the time being).

Like the first answer, my wife stayed home with the kid for a couple years, and that really hurt her career track, but greatly aided mine, so regardless of individual income, it has indeed been a partnership.

Now had the income ratio been 3:1 at the time of marriage, given what I've seen several of my peers in my age group go through, I would have written up a prenup faster than you can say "Yahoo answers."

I'm a firm believer in assets acquired during marriage as being a 50/50 proposition, but anything prior to the marriage shouldn't be split.

So my guess is this -- the thing that's going through your prospective husband's friends' minds is not how much you earn during the marriage, but how much you're likely to take after the marriage should things go awry. The greater the ratio of income between you, the more liability you bring in case of divorce. I say "his friends" because very rarely does the actual marrying party want to face these things.

Unfortunately, I have a couple good friends that have lost houses and substantial amounts of cash they earned before marriage because they didn't want to deal with it before the wedding. (Can you say $2 million house and $80,000 a year alimony to an ex-wife who never held a job in a marriage without children? Ouch!)

But I digress. I guess what I'm getting at is that maybe you should be the proactive one and offer to sign a prenup. I doubt the actual difference in income during the marriage would be much of an issue if you make this offer.

Answer 2

Love of a wife or a husband should not he measured on how much you earn or she earn. if you earn more well done, perhaps she has no job or earn whichever amount she get as long as she like what she is doing, that fine with her. So her income is not importance in any way unless she is the bread winner in the family.

Answer 3

Marriage is not about money. Some men even prefer to have their wives stay at home and do nothing but chores! Of course, these type of men are scum, but it's out there if that's what you want to be.

My mother makes 150 per year and my father only makes 50 and they have no issues. In fact, I don't know any couple who makes the same amount of money, except my partner and I, but we're poor students!

Answer 4

tell you the true there will never be enough money. It's all depends on the couple. I have friend that makes over100k and the wife makes around your salary and some makes the same amount. If he loves you and you loves him that's all it matters.

Answer 5

Two people should be able to live comfortably on $136000 a year. So whats the problem.If your future husband is telling you that you have to make $100000 for the marriage to be equal,get a new future husband. Equality in marriage is not measured in dollars it is measured in emotional and loving contributions.

Answer 6

Hmm..

I would think that it would depend on the person.

Some men might wnat someone who is successful like they are, some might want someone who would be home to raise a family while they bring home the bacon, some might not care what their spouse does as long as they were formally educated.. it could be anything really.

Answer 7

There are lots of variables here. It depends where he is coming from. He may not want you to work at all. Money alone does not make a relationship equal or unequal.

Answer 8

I do not work and married... Marriage is not about money. When you get pregnant, you won't be able to work as much, so your salary really should not be an issue.

Answer 9

Im a man and i have to say that sassy j said it best. its sad when a man expects his wife to work. iv been married for 25 years and my wife has only worked the last two years in her own salon and because she wants to not because i asked her to

Answer 10

I'm old fashion, and I cant stand a man that 'requires' a woman to work ! and if he's making that much money, he should be happy to support the whole household, working should be a choice for a woman, especially if she is raising children