Friday, October 12, 2007


Love, Money, Honesty & Trading

SOMETHING FOR THE HOLIDAYS. THIS APPEARED ON CRAIG'S LIST. POSTING THE WHOLE THREAD AS I GOT IT IN AN EMAIL. OBVIOUSLY A PRAGMATIC WOMAN IN NEW YORK.

What am I doing wrong? Okay, I'm tired of beating around the bush. I'm a beautiful (spectacularly beautiful) 25 year old girl. I'm articulate and classy. I'm not from New York. I'm looking to get married to a guy who makes at least half a million a year. I know how that sounds, but keep in mind that a million a year is middle class in New York City, so I don't think I'm overreaching at all.

Are there any guys who make 500K or more on this board? Any wives? Could you send me some tips? I dated a business man who makes average around 200 - 250. But that's where I seem to hit a road block. 250,000 won't get me to Central Park West. I know a woman in my yoga class who was married to an investment banker and lives in Tribeca, and she's not as pretty as I am, nor is she a great genius. So what is she doing right? How do I get to her level?Here are my questions specifically:

- Where do you single rich men hang out? Give me specifics - bars, restaurants, gyms

- What are you looking for in a mate? Be honest guys, you won't hurt my feelings

- Is there an age range I should be targeting (I'm 25)?

- Why are some of the women living lavish lifestyles on the upper east side so plain? I've seen really 'plain jane' boring types who have nothing to offer, married to incredibly wealthy guys. I've seen drop dead gorgeous girls in singles bars in the east village. What's the story there?

- Jobs I should look out for? Everyone knows - lawyer, investment banker, doctor. How much do those guys really make? And where do they hang out? Where do the hedge fund guys hang out?

- How you decide marriage vs. just a girlfriend? I am looking for MARRIAGE ONLY.

Please hold your insults - I'm putting myself out there in an honest way. Most beautiful women are superficial; at least I'm being up front about it. I wouldn't be searching for these kind of guys if I wasn't able to match them - in looks, culture, sophistication, and keeping a nice home and hearth. It's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests


THE ANSWER Dear Pers-431649184:

I read your posting with great interest and have thought meaningfully about your dilemma. I offer the following analysis of your predicament. Firstly, I'm not wasting your time, I qualify as a guy who fits your bill; that is I make more than $500K per year. That said here's how I see it.Your offer, from the prospective of a guy like me, is plain and simply a crappy business deal. Here's why.

Cutting through all the B.S., what you suggest is a simple trade: you bring your looks to the party and I bring my money. Fine, simple. But here's the rub, your looks will fade and my money will likely continue into perpetuity...in fact, it is very likely that my income increases but it is an absolute certainty that you won'tbe getting any more beautiful!

So, in economic terms you are a depreciating asset and I am an earning asset. Not only are you a depreciating asset, your depreciation accelerates! Let me explain, you're 25 now and will likely stay pretty hot for the next 5 years, but less so each year. Then the fade begins in earnest. By 35 stick a fork in you!

So in Wall Street terms, we would call you a trading position, not a buy and hold...hence the rub...marriage. It doesn't make good business sense to "buy you" (which is what you're asking) so I'd rather lease.

In case you think I'm being cruel, I would say the following. If my money were to go away, so would you, so when your beauty fades I need an out. It's as simple as that. So a deal that makes sense is dating, not marriage.

Separately, I was taught early in my career about efficient markets. So, I wonder why a girl as "articulate, classy and spectacularly beautiful" as you has been unable to find your sugar daddy. I find it hard to believe that if you are as gorgeous as you say you are that the $500K hasn't found you, if not only for a tryout.

By the way, you could always find a way to make your own money and then we wouldn't need to have this difficult conversation. With all that said, I must say you're going about it the right way. Classic "pump and dump." I hope this is helpful, and if you want to enter into some sort of lease, let me know.
(Last edit: 2007-10-04 02:40:51)

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Dear Dali,

I'm writing this just to thank you on the various recommendations/ explanations U made esp on the China-CWs. U're really spot on and your explanations are really easy to digest and understand even for layman like me...
I dont know u personally but I can make a safe assumption that u're a modest and down-to-earth kind of guy. U know why I said that? Compare to other Stocks related bloggers, I've never come across posting(s) from you claiming (or is it boasting?) this and that when your prediction/ projection came true. This is totally in contrary to a certain other blogger which keep reminding people that he had said/predicted this and that when something occurred i.e market rally/ crash etc

Dali, thanks for continuously sharing ur knowledge and info with us. Keep it up man!!!

Unknown said...

"What am I doing wrong?" she is not doing anything wrong. She is just stupid and think those rich man who earn half a million a year also so stupid and shallow like her. (may be a few of them stupid but lucky) Woman beautiful outlook would never last, man only pursuit the beautiful outlook normally has insatiable desire to look for better and better, younger and younger. Well, I believe there has a lot of such stupid girls, waiting there to exchange their beauty in monetary term. Half a million dollar is big amount! With such strong financial strenght, you could "lease" how many beautiful and young girls and keep the money grow. This woman really think all the man are the same and stupid.

Unknown said...

the reply is friggin' brilliant. A financial question met with a financial answer. the sad truth of the matter is why buy a long term depreciating asset? Marriage needs to pay dividends, from both sides. If she see's herself as a car, then be prepared for that inevitable trade-in. 'Scary thing is, she's not alone in her thinking.

Unknown said...

Thanks for this very light hearted piece, seemingly trivial but u know, touch on very real issues ..

In our younger days, marriage is all about love.. and about finding a loving guy who wld make a great pal and good father (or a good mother) to the kids we wld be making together.. Many years down the line, with mortgage to pay and more bills that need to be attended to.. in between balancing the bank statement and filling out bank loan application, add on the ironing and the laundry that needs to be finished each day, one cant help but to wonder if, had we also consider the 'practical' consideratons when choosing a life partner, could we then live happily ever after?
Should one marry for money? Oh no... but it sure helps, I think...

xatomic said...

On the same note...here is another one :)

http://www.dealbreaker.com/2007/10/i_went_to_wharton_it_goes_with.php#more

ccdev said...

dali,

if there's another reason why i love your blog (other than for the wonderfull financial insights), its bcos your sprinkle your blog with some wondefull (almost) non-financial related gems that provides an insight into the broader scope of life. like my friend newbie would say....Fuyoh!