Study Finds That Marriage Builds Wealth

[saraphen]

Marrying for money, it turns out, works. A study by an Ohio State University researcher shows that a person who marries — and stays married — accumulates nearly twice as much personal wealth as a person who is single or divorced.

And for those who divorce, it's a bit more expensive than giving up half of everything they own. They lose, on average, three-fourths of their personal net worth.

"Getting married for a few years and then getting divorced is clearly not the path to financial independence," said Jay Zagorsky, whose study divided married couples' assets so they could be compared with singles.

A big reason married people accumulate more wealth than others is simple economies of scale — one household is cheaper to maintain than two, Zagorsky said. Divorce reverses those benefits, he said.

"Divorce looks like one of the fastest ways to destroy your wealth," Zagorsky said.

David Popenoe, co-director of the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University, said people become more economically productive after they marry.

"They work harder, they advance further in their job, they save more money, and maybe invest more wisely," Popenoe said. "That's because, one can speculate, they are now working for something larger than themselves. They are working for a family."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060118/...arry_for_money

No real surprises here, but it sure says something about staying married.

[trinigirl]

And to supplement/ support this, there will be the forth Annual BLACK MARRIAGE DAY celebrations throughout the US and other countries, on March 26th 2006.

[charliekilothree]

I don't buy into that logic. Since two people cannot live as cheaply as one, how can you gain wealth if you choose to raise a family after you get married? Of course I'm biased because I have never been married. I'm in the age range of the participants in that study.

[trinigirl]

A good supportive spouse (male or female), will help you meet your goals and aspirations. You tend to save much more if both parties are focussed on their goals and know what sacrifices are to be made.
I have seen reports though where is was stated the married men benefit more than married women from the union. (will look for the exact reference)

[saraphen]

Originally Posted by charliekilothree

I don't buy into that logic. Since two people cannot live as cheaply as one,

Two can't live as cheaply as one, but two can live cheaper together, than as two separately. One household is cheaper to maintain than two.

[charliekilothree]

Originally Posted by saraphen

Two can't live as cheaply as one, but two can live cheaper together, than as two separately. One household is cheaper to maintain than two.

Indeed. I still don't buy into that study though. You can actually lose wealth by getting married in some cases.

[saraphen]

Originally Posted by charliekilothree

Indeed. I still don't buy into that study though. You can actually lose wealth by getting married in some cases.

Is that why you're single? Want to hold on to all you got?

[charliekilothree]

Originally Posted by saraphen

Is that why you're single? Want to hold on to all you got?

One of the reasons.

[Corals]

Originally Posted by saraphen

Two can't live as cheaply as one, but two can live cheaper together, than as two separately. One household is cheaper to maintain than two.

I would agree with that.

[stiab3]

Originally Posted by charliekilothree

I don't buy into that logic. Since two people cannot live as cheaply as one, how can you gain wealth if you choose to raise a family after you get married? Of course I'm biased because I have never been married. I'm in the age range of the participants in that study.

. . . and who said anything about raising a family?

As others said, two together will live cheaper than two seperately. Economies of scale.

s3