Smart Girls Marry Money: How Women Have Been Duped Into the Romantic Dream--And How They're Paying For It (Hardcover)
A friend gave me a copy of this book a couple of months ago and I've been meaning to write a review for it for a while now. I would analyze why the hell she gave me this book but it's neither here nor there.
The synopsis of the book from the back cover:
"Why does society applaud a girl who falls for a guy's 'big blue eyes' yet denounces one who chooses a man with a 'big green bankroll'? After all, isn't earning power more a reflection of a man's values and character? Smart Girls Marry Money challenges the ideals and assumptions women have blindly accepted about love and marriage--and shows how they've done so at their own economic peril. In this brazen manifesto, authors Elizabeth Ford and Daniela Drake use cold hard facts, real science, and true stories to present a compelling case for why mercenary marriages make the most sense for future happiness.
"Smart Girls taps into a growing collective suspicion that the post-feminist world isn't all it's cracked up to be. Ford and Drake think it's high time that women get their heads out of the clouds and start carring about their own security--the kind that can be measured in dollars and common sense. With an irreverent, straight-talk tone, the authors serve up a sound case and intriguing strategy for how women can truly 'have it all.' Sure to spark conversation and controversy, Smart Girls Marry Money will ultimately empower women with a new way to take control of their economic and romantic lives."
Smart Girls Marry Money is underlining for two Elizabeth Ford and Daniela Drake both who are divorcees, well one is remarried (I wonder if her new husband is rich?)Talks about why is it ok for women to marry for love and not money? A question for the ages. In my opinion this book is nothing but glorified gold-digging. Yes some of the points that they discuss are some really good points, such as: women have been programmed into thinking that they'll find their Prince Charming or the Perfect men and they'll date "losers" after losers in their search for this perfect love, and women settling for married men. We're all realistic here. There's no such thing as the perfect guy, however there is a such thing as the perfect guy for you and that's just something that money can not buy. Hunting a man down simply for his financial statements is not the recipe for a happy marriage.
All in all, I while I do think the authors maybe had a good intent, this book is nothing better than the other how to guides for How To Marry Rich.
Verdict: It's a fun read, but if you're easily insulted, don't waste your time or money.
Warehouse
Thats too bad because it could have been a good book about marrying someone with the same financial goals and values as yourself - which is a HUGE requirement for a happy marriage IMHO.
1haus I agree. I think they could've done a better job at it than basically trying to glorify marry people simple for their bank accounts and trying to push it off as a smart idea
2I agree, Haus. I think a lot of people mistake that for gold-digging sometimes. It's really not.
3I completely agree, haus. I've always said I could never marry someone who doesn't work and doesn't have the intention of working, someone who just sits around and is lazy all day. That being said, I'd be just as happy with an investment banker or a teacher; I just need someone with some kind of career goals.
4What about a stay at home dad??
5hey kim.. I'm lazying around all day
. I'm trying my hardest not to be bored.
6yea but myst just because you aren't working right now doesn't mean you're not an ambitious person.
i think its so hard to not be working when you're an inherantly ambitious person, it really messes with your self-image.
7Myst, you had a "grown-up" job, though, so I see that as different.
Haus, that would be OK, but it would have to be something he really wanted, not just something he fell into because he didn't feel like working. Or, if he had other career ambitions but wound up staying at home because it worked out better, that would be OK, too.
8I agree, haus.
Or, if someone had a large inheritance and wants to devote time to volunteering or something, that would be OK, too.
I guess I just don't like people with no direction/ambition.
9Yeah its definately about having direction and ambition more than working a traditional 9-5 or whatever.
You can stay at home and do a lot - like everything in the house, everything for the family, plus volunteering or whatever else intrests you or you can stay at home and sit on the couch all day and do nothing. Very different things.
10kim I'm like you, I've kissed my shares of frogs who I eventually let go because they didn't have any real life goals and were looking to just settle and that's just not for me. I could careless about a person's bank account but just have some achievable goals that you're working at, no matter what is it.
Haus right now I told myself I'm going to try to do this 'no' working thing for another month (That's such total lie. I'm usually bothering Ryo to let me help out at work).
11It doesn't sound like these women are advocating marrying just for money. It sounds like they're saying more like, make it a factor when you're deciding who to date. If you only date people who are financially stable, then you'll only fall in love with people who are financially stable.
12I totally agree that it is really about ambition/goals. For me, at least. For some it's not. I know that I personally could not do the stay at home dad thing, or at least I'm pretty sure that I could not. I say this only because my husband is out of work (and hating every minute of it), and he literally does not know what to do around the house. He doesn't mind doing the work to clean, etc., but I have to ask him specific things, which makes me feel like I am nagging.
13I personally think the best thing a person to do is to fine someone who is compatible with them. Like having some of the same likes/dislikes, goals etc, and who know you enough to give your your space when you need it and comfort when you don't. It's alright to advocate for women to be choosier with their lovers/potential life partner but to basically tell women to look at one type of men because they have a large bank account as signifying that they'll be a better fit, isn't necessarily healthy IMHO. Rich or financial well off men tend to have more problems then they are worth and work very long hours to keep making the income that's so desirable and unless you're a very understanding woman, it's usually not that easy.
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