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Economic efficiency in marriage; Curing the wealth virus; Kids vs no kids; Confessions of a sugar mama; Rent this baby

Personal Finance
Economic efficiency in marriage; Curing the wealth virus; Kids vs no kids; Confessions of a sugar mama; Rent this baby

By Amanda Morrall

1) Why we marry?

One of the best meditations I have read by far on the institution of marriage is "Committed:a love story" by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the epic bestseller "Eat, Pray Love." While I enjoyed the latter, the former is actually a superior piece of work. For those who didn't read it, Gilbert, a most excellent writer is forced to reconcile her post divorce aversion to the institution with this big question "why we marry" basically to resolve a border problem with her newfound love from Brazil (she's a Yank). Were it not for this impediment, I suspect Gilbert might never have remarried. (Read an excerpt of her book Committed here).

Marina Adshade in this blog squares the proposition of marriage in the 21st Century from an economic perspective. Also a great read.

2) Affluenza

It seems the human habit is to appreciate what we have only once it is gone. CSI New York actor Hill Harper (a Harvard economics graduate), grimly confronted with his own mortality, decided to explore our perverse relationship with money in modern society as a way to bring perspective to its real worth. While continuing to film the television series and battling thyroid cancer, Harper decided to write a book on the subject, called "The Wealth Cure.'' 

Marketplace.org talks to Hill. Excellent interview. Watch the video today when you have time.

3) No kidding

Recently a reader of one of my column's made a rather facetious but inflammatory comment when he said he "hated kids.'' I think it was meant to be deliberately provocative and yet I imagine some childless by choice folks might actually feel that way, or else they are indifferent to the extreme. I even know of one individual who had a no kid policy at their palatial home. Sad.  

The Wall Street Journal, in this blog on splitshifts at the workplace, looks at the quagmire of flexible work arrangements and the resentment they may breed for the kid-free colleague. In a nutshell, who cares what they think is the conclusion drawn.

4) Sugar mamas

This first person confessional posted on Good from a sugar mama who got taken to the cleaners by her indolent boyfriend may be a bit frivolous but her story, sadly, is not an uncommon one. Don't let this be you.

5) Rent 

As expected I took some kudos and crap from readers over my public announcement about my decision to thumb my nose at the Auckland housing market. Among the suggestions lobbed my way was that I a) get a man to carry half the load financially b) move to another city or c) keep doing what I'm doing and wait for the tides to change. Thank you for your concern and support dear readers. Amanda will be A-okay.  I will continue to nag Bernard until he lets me move to Queenstown where the median rent is cheaper than the North Shore at $380 a week compared to $480. I do love skiing. Perhaps I will find a rich young millionaire on the slopes. Kidding.

For a full listing of rent or buy regional comparisons check out our property section here.

To read other Take Fives by Amanda Morrall click here. You can also follow Amanda on Twitter @amandamorrall

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7 Comments

Elizabeth Gilbert made me laugh out loud (thanks for the link).  I wonder who in the not so distance past suggested choice equals freedom?

 

Boy what a mire that turned out to be.

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Now Amanda, is it not a risky business posting links about 'the true of wealth' and 'our perverse relationship with money' on a site that encourages decision making on a primarily economic basis?

 

Clearly the spritual side of you is getting out of the bag - ;)

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Someone has to be.:)

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# 5.  Buying is better.  Especially when old age hits and if you are not in full ownership.  When your income drops you are headed for pensioner housing.  The other name for that is 'living euthanasia'.  Tiny, lonely and you can't afford to heat it. 

But buying a low grade home unit for the prices we are hearing about today, near to central Auckland is suicidal.  If the current chinese buyer inflow reverses, or the interest rates twitch up, individuals equity will vanish in a flash.  It will be bloody.

So the decision has to depend on your circumstances.  Bernard would be silly not to let you work from Queenstown.  Better still Wanaka.  Or further down the Clutha or Kawarau.  4 bedroom new houses with double internal access from about $500k.  Driest part of New Zealand and an inspiring climate.  Wine people make it an interesting place. And a surprising wealthy community with many interesting businesses and limited numbers of the struggling and desperate like in Auckland 

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Is Bernard really not "letting you move" to Queenstown? As a journalist I'd have imagined you could work from anywhere you like (flexiwork anyone?!).

 

Seriously, there is such a thing as conference calls etc...  I wish employers would be a little more open to the advantages offered by modern technology. It'd help people save a lot on petrol, hence it's also good for the environment, and it'd make employees happier. Maybe he should read this http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10804364

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#3

Got to be honest don't we?,  there are times I think we all feel this way about children, particularly other peoples................but.........I have come to realize that it's NOT the kids at all I despise.....It's some of the lousy useless haven't got an effing clue parents of these children who create such little pains in the a$$

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It's fantastic that you organize such gatherings! However, due to the quarantine, I decided that for the time being, it would be best to meet girls online. I signed up for https://asiandatingreviews.org/asian-brides/japanese-brides/ a few months ago. Girls in this area are looking for easy, no-strings-attached relationships with men.

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