[Charles' Note: This is a guest blog from Charly, a girl who isn't afraid to tell it like it is from the female's perspective. Relationships + money is a subject we all could stand talking about and she serves it up with a side order of realism.]

The answer is – well – the answer is NO, sort of…

When you decide to enter into a relationship you examine each potential partner to find that special one who meets some, if not all of your standards (hopefully, you’re standards cover the basics of having a home, car, and a savings account). So why does this change once we enter the relationship? Weren’t we self-sufficient before?

I believe people enter relationships and get the grand idea that now they have more buying power and they should use it to their full advantage. This notion couldn’t be further from truth.

In today’s economy, people are getting laid-off everyday, small businesses are folding, and pensions are being taken. So why should you base your “means” on two incomes – what happens when you have a baby, one of you gets sick, or loses a job?

Base your buying power on 70% of one person’s income (30% should be going to savings and investments in order to make more money) – this does not mean the other person shouldn’t work, nor does it mean they shouldn’t contribute financially to the relationship.

The house you live in, the cars you drive, food, children’s extracurricular activities should be based on 70% of one person’s income. The other income should go towards an emergency fund, college savings, travel and entertainment, retirement fund…. To Read The Rest Visit AmbitionIsSexy.com