As answered a billion times across the eons by smart men such as myself - it depends on the person. Lame, ordinary but yet cuts to the heart of the truth.
Some guys like my brother will be lost at sea without his girlfriend. They've been together for 22 years (since his mid teens) and seem just as happy as always. Me, I can take it or leave it. Being with someone that is. I'll never marry. Never ever ever. Did you hear me??? EVER. No way I'm paying for a marriage license and a party so some broad can feel like a 'princess' whilst I'm only there to say 'I do' and GTFO of the way. Unless there's a discernible benefit - which there's isn't. And spare me the emotional argument about declaring your love to one another or the world or in front of God. You're 2 of 7.4 billion other mouth-breathing dumb shitheads out there, you're not special and the world don't care.
And I agree with the OP. In the past my training and savings used to take a massive hit when tangled up with some stupid whore with dumb ideas. Not anymore. Been with my current girlfriend for about 18 months and my training and saving has never been better. She knew me first before we started dating and she was well aware of my views on women, marriage, money and dating. Yet she still chose to sniff around me and not once in 18 months tried changing those views. She's actually more anal (before you ask - she don't) about spending money than I am and her usual answer to me wanting to buy something or go somewhere is; waste of money. So it works in those ways. Sex is good and as much as I want, but I'd be lying if I tell ya that I don't fantasize about banging other women sometimes. Only natural I guess
jack good post man. i was pretty niave when i got married. i fell for the "princess" wedding, jesus boy doing our vows (im an atheist- still pissed to this day we paid thAt fucker), annoying mother in law with her formal bullshit, 6 and 6 bridemaids and groosman, very old fashion, etc. etc. at the time, i just didnt care. kinda like, oh well sure whatever. as im 30s now, my friends getting married are doing destination weddings, fun stuff with small group of friends, etc. looks so fun, so i am kinda still pissed we did the stupid dog and poney show. that seems like the shit that goes on when you are in your twenties getting married. so my advice, wait till your an adult like age 30 and up. 25 is no adult.
financially speaking, marriage was great for us. my savings was shit, and my wife earns double what i earn. we were able to buy a house, and move up in investments, etc. also, like you said, my wife is very thrifty amd always looks for the best deal. friends we have in their thirties who are marrying are still doing the townhouse or rental thing. so combining assets really can propel you forward much faster.
now, this might not be important to many people. its really not to me. i argue alot about what we buy because id be fine with a shack in the woods. that always seems to be where people argue, is the life style. people have expectations. my expectation was big savings, retire early and small modest home and never worry about money. wife loves work, and wants big houses, nice things. thats our one main wedge, which sucks.
honestly, i was depressed single (wasnt getting laid bcause i wasnt confident (this was before tindr, which
ooks fun and easy) was lonely, had no one to watch dogs when i traveled). i also get depressed being married. so much hot asss out there, and you always thinkg " wow i bet that girl really has it all...nice person, loving, hot, etc...but you never really know. grass is always greeener. its a mental illness which i have. im never satisfied. i do KNOW that if i was single, id still be miserable though. i think im better off married honestly. like others said, working on happiness is the hard part and thats what im goin focus on for 2017. any tips are welcom!