Women are so MONEY: Why wives will still look great and husbands will still have beer bellies

Dear "It" Girl,

As a professional matchmaker, I frequently meet men and women who reinforce the preference of nearly all humanity to mate with someone who is anywhere along the continuum of "easy on the eyes" to "ridiculously good looking". Although many married women get the bad rep for letting themselves go a few years after they walk down the aisle and/or pop out babies, many more keep up with weekly manicures, Zumba classes, and Botox treatments. There is indeed a benefit of health and beauty that is more than skin deep. As the authors of Smart Girls Marry Money suggest it is financial security.

Despite the progress of women in the workplace, men still earn more and are more likely to climb and stay on top of the career ladder. Since women know that their quality of life will be better with a second income, they can be more forgiving about the unruly facial hair and beer belly of a high-earning hubby who always brings home the bacon. Although most women enter into marriage planning to live out their commitment, most are aware of the fifty percent chance of marital failure; they are made anxious from the media's constant reminder that people don't always take their vows so seriously. (Thanks, Tiger Woods!) A woman who is investing in her looks is essentially lessening her chances of poverty. Not a bad idea for many a lady, huh? Just in case her hotshot hubby decides to have a romp in the hay with his secretary(ies), a beautiful and well groomed woman will have more of a chance of meeting Husband # 2 . Let's face it, the competitive dating game does not exactly favor divorcees with school-age children and sagging boobies.

In the meantime, married men can hang on to their beer bellies. It is no secret that many wives will continue to love their husbands (and their wallets!) just the way they are.

Love, Rachel Russo, MS, MFT