Guys, She Cares About This One Thing More Than Money

At that point, I told Jeff that financial security was important, but it wasn’t nearly as important to most women as emotional security – for example, knowing that the relationship will always be close, and their husband will always be there for them.  That is so much more important to women than all those things that so many guys are working so hard to provide.

Tweet this: “For women, financial security is important, but not nearly as important as emotional security.“

Jeff didn’t believe me then. And I’ll be honest – even though our interviews and surveys of thousands of women confirmed that this was right, it is still hard for him to believe. But men can be encouraged by this because not only does your wife want you more than any “thing” you could provide; she would actually give up some sense of financial security or downsize her lifestyle if that is what it took for you to have a more family-friendly job that you enjoyed more, and allowed you to be home with the family.

I’d encourage you: if you feel caught between a rock and a hard place, use these findings as an opportunity to have a conversation with your wife about whether she really would be happier with an older car or a shorter vacation – if that is what it took to get more of you. You’ll never know unless you talk about it.

Helping people thrive in life and relationships is Shaunti Feldhahn’s driving passion, supported by her research projects and writing. After starting out with a Harvard graduate degree and experience on Wall Street, her life took an unexpected shift into relationship research. She now is a popular speaker around the world and the author of best-selling books about men, women, and relationships. (Including For Women Only, For Men Only, and the groundbreaking The Good News About Marriage).

Her newest book, The Kindness Challenge, demonstrates that kindness is the answer to almost every life problem, and is sparking a much-needed movement of kindness across the country. Visit www.shaunti.com for more.