Risks must be taken in order to fully enjoy life but also keep in mind that life is about moderation. I will pick and choose my risks as I see fit, this is my life and is thus my prerogative to be as picky as I want.

First how can a gal that stays at home, raises the children, save "her own" money when she doesnt work?

Second, If its a rainy day fund, why wouldnt it be used to go on a vacation or fix the broken dryer? A responsible couple will and should have savings anyway. But I digress from original post. For most people marriage is that smart and safe protective way to cover their a$$. For both Men and women if its done properly. JMO

i cant answer what i have already answer. I will tell you this. My Grandmothers didnt work, Some of my Aunts, my Mother for a time, and they did it. It doesnt have to be a million dollars, but it may save a day, or two. Good Luck

"If" is the operative word.

Another truth of the world is that situations vary from couple to couple. If someone is smart like my dad they'll have multiple caches of money stored up, he's saved up for his vacations, my sister's college, my brother's college, my sister's car, renovating the house, it keeps going. He's got everything planned out, unfortunately not everyone is as smart.

And I don't see as many couples nowadays where the woman isn't working, they just make use of daycares, babysitters, and family. And if she did not prepare herself for the worst isn't that her own fault? Being married might protect her but what about the husband?

¿I don't suppose you wouldn't by any chance be familiar with Tom Leykis? He frequently states on his show that marriage does not benefit a man at all and challenges anyone to prove him wrong. I've yet to hear it happen.

Be careful, they are going to call you bitter now. Your Father was a real Man, when it came to his Family.

Family law & families are screwed, married or not. I used to think it was women & kids that got screwed, but states are seriously cracking down on child support & as usual it's the poor who suffer most. I believe a man should support his kids, but I know men that have been jailed because they were unemployed & could not pay child support. What purpose does this serve? Married or not people need to really know each other & agree on these topics before they breed.

I never intend to take more financialy out of a relationship than I put into it. I have always left with less, because I don't think "stuff" is worth fighting about. That said, I am getting to an age where I can't afford to lose everything & start ever again. I will never marry again or share accounts & property. I don't want to be working in a factory 10 hours a day when I am 70, & I'd like to have enough when I die to cover my bills & funeral. I don't want my daughter to have that burden.

They can call me whatever they'd like, it won't change anything.

There's love without marriage and there's marriage without love.
Neither are optimal but our family legal system is messed up.
Reform is coming someday because it must. Until then, love wisely,
and do your best to have a happy healthy home.

Well said!!

Not going to say never, since you should never say never, but I see no reason to get married again. Not having any more kids and my son has a father. Dealing with a divorce after 20 years of marriage has taught me several things....You can protect your premariatal assests, but the debt accumulated after marriage belongs to both. One person can screw the other person financially. The courts and attornies are sloooowwww.
I am not bitter and will be happy to get involved with somebody emotionally and sexually, but not legally or financially. Waaayyyy to hard to get out of. JMHO

Thanks for the truth

Life lessons

Ive been on both sides of the fence. Ive lived with and have been married. Im not against marriage but I think I would really get to know them before I make that decision.

I was married a very long time and I'm in no rush to ever get married again. I'd have to know a woman a very long time before I could get serious about it.

Anything short of marriage is an option. I would consider living with a woman but even that decision is fraught with consequences.

I'd rather have a committed relationship and she has her place and I have mine. We enjoy the benefits of marriages without all the downside.

I still believe in the sanctity of marriage, and I'm hoping that I'll find a gentleman that is compatible with me enough to do so.

Lots of times marriages fail because both people just don't put the effort into it or they rush into it based on fickle feelings. It has to be so much more than that, and I can't wait.

Confucious say love without marriage much better than marriage without love~

You cant go into a relationshipthinking of the possibility of the break up, the end, a divorce, its doomed from the start if thats the case..JMO

Exactly. If you're starting out a relationship already thinking of the possible ending.. what's the point?

I think of it as merely being open minded, facing reality, and accepting the fact of what could happen. A couple could have plans for their lives together five years down the road but what's to say that in that time they instead end up growing apart?

Pray for the best, prepare for the worst.

MOST WOMEN! I can tell you that I was married before and had gotten taken to the cleaners. It is not just the woman anymore that get alimony and all that. My ex really did a number on me financially and I am still in recovery. I however do not look at marriage as a bad thing. I still have hope that not all men are bad and there is another marriage in store for me one day. People tend to back out of commitment too easily now days. There are just too many choices out there, which in turn has become a bad thing. What happened to "until death do us part" anyways? I have an idea, but it is too harsh to explain. I respect the fact that people can live together and not marry but it is not for me. I don't just want to play house with someone. Where is the commitment there? If you don't walk the line then your gone. Nothing unconditional there for me and that is what I am looking for.