Let's get some things straight, here. Am I aiming toward financial stability? Absolutely. I think most of us are. As women, we hear so often that we should settle down and marry a rich man... Maybe a lawyer or a doctor or an engineer. And as much as I think a man should provide for a woman, that doesn't mean I can't or shouldn't do that on my own.

The goal isn't to MARRY rich. The goal is to work hard and try to live a life that's both healthy and realistic. But that doesn't mean you can't shoot for large goals. The idea that a man is the breadwinner in a relationship is on my radar, but to expect him to provide seemingly endless amounts of money for me seems illogical, as is me thinking I will just be gifted that if I marry a wealthy person. Not only does that put unnecessary stress on him, but your partnership, as well. So no, I don't expect my future partner to make a healthy 6+ figures, but I do expect him to work hard in whatever he does.

Two of my biggest goals in life are to be a wife and mother, but I understand that being just those two things might not be feasible. That's why I'm getting my degree, actively working two jobs, and planning for whatever working field I decide to go into. In fact, that's why I've broadened my horizons to three separate areas for work. And get this: I love each of them and can make good money in each of them.

If it so happens that my husband makes bank, that's awesome. But the goal for me to marry rich is completely materialistic and irrational. The goal should be to find someone who works hard, loves what they do, and respects everyone else around them... And I should hope that's the goal of someone looking for me, as well.

Gloria Steinem put it perfectly: "Some of us are becoming the men we wanted to marry." Especially in today's age, women are finding they can do whatever they put their minds to. If that means settling down and having the man be the primary breadwinner, that's awesome. However, there's something incredibly empowering about us going out and becoming those lawyers and doctors that everyone told us to marry.

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