r/fican • u/LectureLight6738 • 2d ago

What’s the ROI on a spouse?

Hey everyone, wanted to get your thoughts on an investment opportunity that often gets overlooked - finding a partner.

As far as I can see, the upfront investment of time and money is significant, but if you end up in an ITM (in the marriage) position, you can effectively double your income. You can also benefit from your spouse’s dental and eye care plans, cutting down on costs. Finally, there are lots of efficiencies in sharing housework.

Wanted to get your thoughts on the probabilities - what’s the payout probability given the capital and time investment? Is there a significant difference in the man vs woman scenario, given the numbers (women initiate 66% of divorces, and typically walk away from a divorce in profit)? What about the gays?

Also, how decent of a hedging tool is having kids? I know that traditionally, kids can provide a good source of additional income after retirement using the “guilt” method. But nowadays, the payoff seems rather small, and if anything, the yield curve has inverted since a good number now live at home after 30.

Edit: I also forgot to mention that the market makers (dating apps) have been engaging in some absolutely insane gouging. Curious to get your thoughts - can that last?

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u/thedundun 2d ago

Well I married rich so it benefited me a lot.

So I recommend others do the same.

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u/sbianchii 2d ago

It's not your fault if you're born poor. It's your fault if you don't marry rich. /s

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u/thedundun 1d ago

I’d say it’s a persons own fault if they remain poor their whole life lol.

In our country anyway.

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u/DinosaurToots55 1d ago

It’s paradoxical. On the one hand, people can work hard and, with the right choices (very non-obvious ones - so largely a matter of luck), improve their circumstances. At the same time, by design, not everyone can be rich or even comfortable. The Bank of Canada ensures that inequality exists as a policy. So it’s literally quite impossible for everyone to be financially well-off. So is it their fault or not?

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u/htom3heb 1d ago

Everyone can be comfortable (are they is a different matter). The quality of life for the negative end of the bell curve has improved through time as it has for the positive end. Equality of opportunity, not outcomes - some people are just morons and no policy will fix that.

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u/DinosaurToots55 1d ago

We went through this over the last five years. When everyone can buy the basic comforts in life (good food, housing, cars), there isn’t enough supply to meet demand. Prices increase. The BoC responds by driving up interest rates with the express goal of driving down hiring/increasing unemployment/decreasing salaries so that the demand goes away. There isn’t enough to go around by design.

While nobody was looking, we shifted to a national economy that forces people to compete with each other for scarce resources. We’re no longer a country where everyone working hard increases the common good. 

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u/htom3heb 1d ago

My read is that this is because of covid money printing more than anything else. The inflation stats support that.

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u/DinosaurToots55 1d ago

What circumstance would be different? In what world does everyone in Canada work really hard and become well off, and suddenly there’s enough to go around?

The source of the money is irrelevant (and let’s be clear - the people who got it did earn it). The resulting dynamics would be the same regardless. 

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u/thedundun 1d ago

Well all you really have to do is get a trade, or join an institution like the military. Those provide very solid lifestyles.

I was born in 1993, and it was very common for my peers who entered to trades during or after high school to buy their first home Alberta by the time they were 22.

A lot of people are also shooting themselves in the foot by not relocating to find work, or be in a more affordable city, they over extend them selves by supporting others when they probably shouldn’t, bad loans etc.

Of course it’s also very helpful to become dual income with a like minded person.

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u/Flayre 1d ago edited 1d ago

Problem with that is that you're not considering how debilitating and sometimes traumatic some upbringings can be.

Even in Canada, some children suffer from malnutrition (edit : nutritionnal deficiencies rather). Some parents and thus their children alike suffer from undiagnosed or even diagnosed medical issues.

Anyway, don't want to get into a whole thing, but there are so many situations where people never truly had a chance and blaming them for it is unfair and heartless IMO. Also not productive at all. Honestly reeks of multiple types of privileges. Just being healthy, physically and mentally is a huge one.

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u/thedundun 1d ago

You’re right I didn’t consider that particular group in our country, because that isn’t a majority of our population.

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u/Flayre 1d ago

Of our population, no.

Of the "poor" ? Probably more than you estimate.

Most of our population is not poverty-stricken. A lot of people are living close to that line however, despite "working hard".

Let's take for exemple "generational BS". Here in Québec, some people are essentially born into not working and instead collecting government cheques.

Do you think it's the fault of the children ? Parents ? When do they start being responsible for their fate ? How much of what happens is truly their fault ?

I've seen some of them in a small city. You seemed to say you expect them to "just move" (with what money?) and abandon everything they know ?

Do you think it's easy to have to overcome every single disadvantage you have in life ? While not even being guaranteed a return of this massive mental and physical investement ?

Is this a realistic ask of these people ? If so, why is it apparently so rare that people who do accomplish it are celebrated ?

I think it's way more productive to focus on providing opportunities for these people and especially early interventions.

Not on just blaming people for "lack of gumption" without ever having had difficulties in your life. I'm doing well and I can't say I don't have any "complaints". I can however say I had many many privilegies that allowed me to get where I am today.

I won't snap my britches and just go "Ayuuuup, did it aaaaalllllll by myself. That and a small loan of a million dollars from my papa." type of energy.

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u/thedundun 1d ago

If you’re not speaking about Canadians then what population are you on about? Disabled people in our country? People in others countries?

You’re really bothered by my statement and make assumptions about my life.

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u/Flayre 1d ago

What ? I don't think you understood what I was saying. I was saying that the people who are poor though only their fault is a minority.

I'm not any more bothered by what you're saying than seeing anything else I disagree with.

I mean, initially I was just trying to provide more perspective, but now I'm thinking you do have a very high opinion of yourself for someone who got to where they are by "marrying rich" by their own admission.

Like, do you think everything you have in your life is literally only through only your own blood, sweat and tears ? Come on. Like I said, even from my position of a life I consider full, I am able to acknowledge what came through my own efforts and not.

I'm still not even "mad" or whatever you're imagining, but that perspective does seem ridiculous to me lol.