It most certainly does! When you’re younger things like financial security, occupation and 401k didn’t matter. You were only looking for someone you enjoyed being with and was good at showing you a good time. However, when you reach a certain age the things mentioned above plays a major factor in whom and how to date.

Now, I know there are a few of you reading this thinking “well it really doesn’t matter if you truly love someone your love will withstand the test of time.” Or you could be the person whose not financially stable thinking “I’m an amazing individual and my career choice doesn’t define me.” Whether you’re the hopeless romantic or a person with a great personality you are both right and both wrong; let me explain why.

We all know a thing or two about credit scores, you’re either a high risk or low risk and when it comes to dating it is the same thing. You could be that loving, loyal, romantic and kind person that we look for in a relationship but, your still “high risk” with an unstable job or no job.

Why? We are now at the age were the person we are dating could be potentially be our life partner. You could go into this with the intentions of not falling in love but love is a trickster and sneaks up on you when you least expect it.

So you just gambled on your future, your kid’s future and pretty much opened the door and shook the hand of something I like to call Struggle. Now, I’m not saying you won’t meet someone who you are willing to struggle with. As long as you’re aware it will be a struggle but it could also be a “beautiful struggle”. Now this is where it gets tricky.

Let’s say you are the person in between jobs or are on your path to your career but not quite there yet. As you know a bad credit score can turn into a good credit score with hard work and consistency. In my opinion, there’s nothing sexier than ambition. If you are a guy not quite where he wants to be but are making all the right moves in that direction, then I would take a gamble on you.

We just need to be aware that anyone we date could be our potential husband or wife. Ask smart questions. Ask the RIGHT questions. We are so quick to ask someone about their favorite sexual position rather than if they have a 401k. Your future is no longer just you; always remember it could include the person you are dating or the next person you date.