Girlfriend V. Wife: Is The Difference Keeping The Altar Away?

Sleep With Him

We’ve all heard about giving away the milk for free. And if you want a man to decide up front whether he wants to invest the commitment, it’s a smart move. Not to mention all that it saves you in condoms and clinic visits

Cook For Him

A few meals will show him that you can throw down. But some women say that coming home to a hot meal every day is something that he should look forward too.

Parent His Kids

Carol Brady wouldn’t have moved her half of the Brady Bunch in without a commitment from Mike. Before you blend families, it’s always a good idea to make sure that everyone’s in it for the long haul.

Move In

Is shacking up just a way to get so comfortable you don’t have to make any forward moves?

Have His Kids

Accidents happen, but planning to add the stress of having a kid to a relationship already in will-they-or-won’t-they marriage limbo could head you in the opposite direction of the altar.

Clean For Him

Playing house can be fun to do — especially when the love is new. But some women say clean once and you’ll start a pattern that ends with him taking you for granted.

Split Expenses

The People’s Court is full of people trying to get their money back after their lovers broke their hearts. Waiting until you share a last name and a bank account sometimes makes more financial sense.

Sugar Coating

Marriage is full of sparing feelings. But if you want to tie the knot, you’ve got to be clear with the man you’re dating. If he’s ready to tie the knot, hearing that you want to head toward the altar won’t scare him away.

Meeting His Parents

How serious does a relationship have to be before you meet his parents? Once upon a time, an introduction to the ‘rents meant he was serious about putting a ring on it. And some women say they prefer to wait until they’re meeting their future in-laws. That way they don’t have to break up with him and his family when it’s all said and done.

Supporting Him Through School

Couples make the compromise all of the time: one of you works while the other stays at home. But if you’ve brought up marriage and he’s hesitant, splitting tuition shouldn’t be the next order of business.

Studies show that men like to wait until their financially stable to get married. Once he graduates, there’s no guarantee that he won’t suddenly decide he’s ready to get married — to someone he didn’t just spend the past four years bickering about finances with.

Encourage Him To Save

Men go through a lot of financial stages in life. And balling ’til you fall is a part of the single life. Nag him about his expenses while things are still casual and he’ll see it as butting in. When he’s ready to grow up and settle down, he’ll reign his own finances in and — according to statistics — be much more likely to consider mariage.

Be Financially Dependent

Married couples file joint tax returns. But some women argue that it’s better to have your finances together before you start looking for marriage material. And he’ll be less likely to worry about the financial burden of tying the knot if you have all of your financial ducks in a row — or at least a plan to get there.

Hang Out At Home

After he puts a ring on it, there will be plenty of time to stay at home. While you’re still single, split your time between him and the things that you want to do.

“I’m busy this weekend” can be the sexiest thing you can say in any relationship that’s gotten too comfortable. And while you’re out there living life, you may learn some things about yourself that can change the future of your relationship.

Put His Needs Before Your Own

While you’re still single, life should be about you. Make big sacrifices for a man who’s not ready for the same level of commitment that you are and you could be disappointed down the line.