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Society & Culture

Do you want to marry for love or money?

podcast March 3, 2026


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Can you afford to get married? Or get a divorce?

Nothing sets the internet on fire more than the fantasy of finding a partner (usually a man) to pay for your lifestyle. We’re here to put those fires out: dating across class is rare (we will explain why) and financial differences can hurt the partner who has less. Plus, with more women becoming the breadwinners, are women actually the new power partners?

Brittany is joined by Wailin Wong, Business and Economics journalist and co-host of The Indicator from Planet Money, and Reema Khrais, host of Marketplace’s This is Uncomfortable (which just had a BRAND NEW season drop. Check it out!)

(0:00) The explicit and implicit ways money shows up in dating
(6:49) Why marriage is a GOOD financial investment
(12:10) Why marriage is a BAD financial investment
(20:13) Dating someone wealthier than you is harder than you think
(37:54) Will women surpass men as the breadwinners?

Want more episodes on dating and finances? Check out these episodes:
Is marriage worth it? Single women say no.
Want to date a rich man? It’s harder than you think.
Your date gave you ‘The Ick?’ That might be a YOU problem.

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