For Love or Money

Happy Valentine’s Day! Do people look more for love or for money in their romantic relationships? Merrill Edge recently conducted a survey on that very question, and found that 56 percent of Americans say they want a partner who provides financial security more than “head over heels” love (44 percent).

This sentiment is held in almost equal measure by both men and women (54 percent and 57 percent). Only the youngest group,  those born between 1996 and 2010, chose love (54 percent) over money.

One other finding: Wealthier couples don’t necessarily last longer than those who earn less. Indeed, the more you spend on a wedding ceremony, the shorter the marriage: Couples who spend $20,000 on their wedding are 46 percent more likely than average to get divorced; that risk falls to 29 percent higher than average for those who spend $10,000 to $20,000.