Actually, You Can Buy Me Love

Institution is obsolete—let's fix this 'bum deal'

(NEWSER) - Marriage is fraught with “emotional pain, humiliation, and logistical difficulty.” And for women—expected to work, parent, tend to the house, and on top of all that, keep the romance alive—it’s a “bum deal,” writes Sandra Tsing Loh, herself ending a 20-year union, in the Atlantic. In this era of “white-collar work and washing machines” and soaring life expectancies, “isn’t the idea of lifelong marriage obsolete?” More»

Oracle of Omaha needed 'to be loved and never criticized'

(NEWSER) - Warren Buffett’s personal life is a lot messier than his balance sheet, according to a biography. In The Snowball: Warren Buffet and the Business of Life, which hits stores Monday, the Oracle of Omaha for the first time cooperates with a biographer, producing a revealing look at the folksy billionaire, Time reports. Buffett had a terrible relationship with his mother, the book reveals, and has since relied on powerful women to guide him as he focuses exclusively on business. More»

Couples fare better if woman is more attractive: study

(NEWSER) - Trophy wives, take heart. A recent study shows that marriages fare better if the wife is more attractive than the husband. The University of Tennessee survey of 82 couples showed that men place a high premium on a woman’s beauty while women value a caring, supportive husband over chiseled looks, LiveScience reports. More»

Divorce is never easy, but you don't have to go broke in the process

(NEWSER) - Don't let emotional pain cloud your judgment on financial matters—you may both end up the poorer for it. Here are five divorce pitfalls to avoid, from USA Today:

1. Clinging to the house if you can't afford the upkeep.
2. Not making a clean break on joint accounts.

Carl Richards: Financial arguments 'come from surprises'

(NEWSER) - A financial discussion with your spouse can feel like a minefield of emotional surprises. Financial planner Carl Richards advises you to first have "the conversation before the decision gets made," which "can make a huge difference" in your relationship, he writes in the New York Times Bucks blog . Also:

• Limit your spending. "Often our biggest arguments come from surprises," so set a threshold for surprise purchases.