Got the lifestyle but no money?

Living the "good" life is super easy these days. Doing so and not being broke is significantly more challenging. CNNMoney.com answered a writer's question about when he should reveal to his potential spouse that his "good" life was not reflective of his actual wealth.

"...my condo is rented, my car leased, I owe my parents $50,000, and my IRA's worth 20 bucks. I do, however, have a good salary and so can afford the meals, concert tickets and weekend getaways that dating involves. Given that I'm dating with marriage in mind, at what point should I reveal that I'm nowhere near as prosperous as I appear?"

You'll have to read the rest of the article to hear the author's response to this question but what I want to know is, what in the world is he doing with his "good salary!"

This is a very common scenario and maybe it even describes your own situation. Nevertheless, it is a shining example of just how much money can be "lost" in spending on small stuff and the debt that can result.

Getting out of a financial hole (debt) is not just about cutting back on big spending decisions, in fact, I'd wager it's even more important to cut back on the small ones.

The gentleman asking the question above would probably be utterly shocked and dismayed if he knew just how much money he was throwing away at a "good life," forcing himself to be indebted and broke in the process.

Sure, courtship is important, but a lavish lifestyle with nothing to back it up is a house of cards that is sure to end in disaster.