When considering whether or not to pursue a romantic relationship, one of the important factors to consider is the financial stability of your partner. For many, financial stability is seen as a sign of a partner’s reliability and trustworthiness. In fact, some would go as far as to not even consider people that make less than them as they don’t want the relationship to become financially draining. Others even fear having to financially support a partner down the line.
However, things can become a bit complicated if your heart beats for someone who’s currently not financially stable. If you really like someone, their bad financial situation could quickly become less worrisome in the light of everything else that they bring to the table. This phase could be temporary in their life, so perhaps they’d have better days or a better financial situation if you wait a little longer. Indeed, they could even be your soulmate, so is it really a good idea to eliminate them altogether just because of their current financial issues?
All in all, it can be difficult to know whether or not it is a good idea to date someone who is not financially stable. This is why this article will explore the pros and cons of dating someone who is not financially stable in order to help you make an informed decision.
When should you consider dating someone who isn’t financially stable?
1. They’re already working towards a goal or degree that will change their financial situation:
It’s okay to consider dating someone who is financially unstable if they are already working towards a goal or degree that will change their financial situation. Their ambition and hard work will surely pay off in this case which makes their current struggle only temporary. Such a person can be reliable because they’re not sitting in a corner waiting for handouts or for a miracle that may never happen to turn their life around.
Instead, they’re very logical and realistic and are working towards a tangible goal that is defined by a deadline. This shows a commitment to improving their financial situation and improving their future. It also shows that they are motivated and willing to work hard to improve their financial situation, which is a key factor when considering a relationship.
2. They don’t use your money as if it’s their own:
Another thing you should do in this type of situation is to only consider dating someone whose finances are unstable if they are not trying to take advantage of you or use you. Financial instability can be a source of stress in relationships and can lead to feelings of distrust and resentment.
If the person is not attempting to use you for your money, it can be a sign that they are genuinely interested in you and not just what you can provide. Additionally, it can be a sign that they are willing to work hard to improve their financial situation, which can be a positive trait in any partner.
However, the moment they start to use your money as their own, then things can become a little too confusing. You may start to secretly wonder if they’re just using you for a free meal or a free place to stay. And, although these thoughts sound too paranoid and crazy at first, with time they will make more sense and you’d start doubting the intentions and feelings of your partner; which can be tiring.
3. Their current situation is temporary or caused by exceptional circumstances:
Considering to be serious with someone who is financially unstable says a lot about you as a person and how golden and pure your heart is. However, before you do such a thing make sure that the reason why your potential partner is currently struggling is only temporary and won’t last forever. Otherwise, you’ll end up getting harmed and putting yourself in a frustrating situation.
In other words, it is a beautiful thing to want to support and stand by someone’s side during their challenging moment in life. However, it is your responsibility to be smart about it and protect yourself too by only doing such a thing if you have evidence that their current situation is temporary and not caused by poor financial management.
For instance, if the situation is caused by medical bills or a medical treatment that is temporary and that will go away eventually, or another form of a temporary expense then it is okay to help and be there for them. In fact, it can offer the person some comfort to know that they have someone who is willing to stand by them during this time. But, again if the situation is permanent then you may want to think twice about whether you want to struggle for life because of a lack and resources and money.
4. They’re not a spender and know how to save money:
Someone who knows how to save money and be frugal will probably not be in a bad financial situation in the first place, as they will already have many plans in place for the worst scenario-case. But, bad things can still happen in life, and let’s just say that this is exactly what happened to this person you’re considering dating. If they’re generally good with money and make great financial decisions but they still got trapped this once, then it is okay to cut them some slack and turn a blind eye until they get back on their feet again.
However, you should never date someone who permanently makes poor financial decisions or is a spender because this can cause serious financial strain on your relationship. Poor financial decisions can lead to debt, which can create tension and conflict in the relationship. It can also cause a power imbalance, where one partner has more control over money than the other. Not to mention that a person who is a spender may not be as invested in saving for the future which makes them unreliable and even irresponsible.
5. They’re considerate and do their absolute best not to burden you financially:
The last piece of advice on our list today is to only consider dating someone who is financially unstable if they are considerate and do their absolute best not to burden you financially. This is because if the person is not considerate, they may expect you to contribute to their financial problems, which could put a strain on your own finances and could cause conflict in the relationship.
Additionally, if the person is not making an effort to improve their financial situation, it could lead to further financial instability for you both, in the future. This type of person may not just expect but demand shamelessly that you help them financially over and over again which will lead you both to bankruptcy and similar struggles.
This is especially true if the reason why that person is financially unstable is that they’re very and at managing their finances and cannot help but make poor financial decisions. Of course, this is not something you can help them grow out of overnight and if they also have a demanding and shameless type of personality then you’re in for a disaster. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Conclusion:
Dating someone who is financially unstable is not an easy decision to make, but it can be done with the right conditions in place. By considering the five conditions above, it is possible to make a relationship work with someone who is financially unstable.
It is important, to be honest with yourself and your partner about their financial situation, to be patient and understanding, to be willing to support them financially and emotionally, and to discuss finances openly and honestly. With these conditions in place, it is possible to build a strong and successful relationship with someone who is financially unstable.