The Most Important Financial Decision of Your Life

Back in March of this year Susan Patton wrote a letter to the editor of the Daily Princetonian, the independent student newspaper of that great institution. Susan Patton was one of the first women to attend Princeton after the school went coed. There were only 200 women in her class.

Oh by the way, Susan Patton is the president of the class of 1977.

That letter has created a firestorm.

Advice for The Young Women of Princeton: The Daughters I Never Had

In the letter Ms Patton wrote, "For most of you, the cornerstone of your future and happiness will be inextricably linked to the man you marry, and you will never again have this concentration of men who are worthy of you.

Here’s what nobody is telling you: Find a husband on campus before you graduate."

Man or woman, who you marry will be the single most important decision you make in your life. It will certainly be the most important financial decision you will make in your life. Who you marry will significantly impact the amount of money that you (as a couple) will earn. Who you marry will determine your spending habits. Who you marry will determine how you will invest money and plan for your future together.

Interestingly Proverbs makes a similar observation about wives:

A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.

Susan Patton goes on to write the ugly truth about us men, "Men regularly marry women who are younger, less intelligent, less educated. It’s amazing how forgiving men can be about a woman’s lack of erudition, if she is exceptionally pretty. Smart women can’t (shouldn’t) marry men who aren’t at least their intellectual equal. As Princeton women, we have almost priced ourselves out of the market. Simply put, there is a very limited population of men who are as smart or smarter than we are. And I say again — you will never again be surrounded by this concentration of men who are worthy of you."

Proverbs let’s know a little more about the kind of woman that impresses our Lord:

She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

For most of us male or female, who we marry will indeed be the cornerstone of our future happiness. Hopefully, like Susan Patton, we will choose wisely. Her husband Kendal has been her best friend for 40 years. Together they have raised two sons, both Princeton men.

This letter has caused so much commotion that it led to a book deal. Next spring Gallery Books is scheduled to release, Smarten Up! Words of Wisdom from the Princeton Mom.

One more word about a good wife from the Book of Proverbs:

Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
“Many women have done wonderful things,
but you’ve outclassed them all!”
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!