thanks for an inspirational article. lots of people are struggling, but patience, love, and self-awareness can still triumph!

I'm glad Salon chose to highlight this book as I'm interested in the ways in which gender roles are reflected in our attitudes about money. And it's not just about women's struggles and achievements, but about the ways in which men are fenced in by expectations about being the primary breadwinner.

As some have already commented here, it's an important moment when in her story when Marisa reflects on feeling entitled to a few months of unpaid time at home with a newborn. Paul ended up working with kids - would he potentially like to say home with their baby?

When I was pregnant, it took us a few months to realize that it was my partner's job, not mine with great benefits, that made sense to leave behind if one of us was going to be at home with our kid. And while we've been relatively happy with this arrangement (living on one income is hard), my partner's more progressive parents and my more traditional ones remain incredibly anxious about it. When is my partner going back to work? What's wrong with him anyway -- is he depressed? If I were home with a one year old, I doubt that our situation would have been the object of so much discussion, not only among our parents but from some of our peers as well.

I'm proud that one of the things that feminism has delivered is a new wave of stay-at-home dads.

I found this an inspiring story of love for another being a catalyst for self-reflection and growth. Was there ever a better illustration of the pebble in the pond idea working its magic in real life? Is spite of her doubts about Paul, she realized the real cause of her disappointment was in her, and this became the engine for her own growth, creating an environment where Paul could see opportunities before him as well. Yes, this couple will have more challenges in their lives together, but they have established a foundation of commitment and perseverance that will allow them to prevail. I commend them for sticking it out through the first of what will be one of many difficult problems to solve together. It is through these challenges we learn the measure of our character and gain true self esteem.

I wish them a happy and challenging life together.

This is whiny, self indulgent drivel. Who wants to read the money hungry whinging of some coddled rich girl? I hope the author's husband trades her in for a younger woman with richer parents. I also love how all her problems were absolved by, shockingly, getting a job. Bravo.

I must protest all the accusations of bitterness and schadenfreude levelled at those who take an immediate and visceral dislike of this article. I'm in my first meaningful relationship, still very much in love after two years of living together, my girlfriend recently lost her job, it's difficult and at times frustrating to be the only one making money but to consider leaving her over it? Seriously? The tone of the article really does suggest someone who got where she is based less on merit than on her parents chequing account. Airfare to LA to gab with a girlfriend counts as a "treat"? Anyone who brags about their parents paying for a graduate degree and far flung vacations while at the same time trying to conjure up pathos is a worthy recipient of scorn and derision. All of you who defend the author and describe her as "brave" and find the story heartwarming are, quite frankly, delusional. You can hide behind calling me bitter all you like, it doesn't change anything.

To fall in love with a man where he is king is a wonderful thing. And the first duty of a woman must be never to move that man into a lesser place as Belger does.

Cannot help thinking hos Simone de Beauvoir dealt with the dilemma of finding the love of her life in a not very elegant Chicago on a lecture tour in 1949 in Nelson Algren.

Physical bliss for the first time is no bad thing for a girl let alone a Parisian intellectual. Her letters to him on her return shows her as forgetting that she has spent

all her intellectual training to refuse the bourgeois virtues of love and marriage. She wishes to be "little housewife".

Algren likes that and wishes her to come to Chicago and be his wife.

He visits her in Paris several times always loaded with gifts and - in stark contrast to anti-bourgeois Sartre - never forgets presents to her mother. There is nothing like a thoughtful American!

He has little understanding of all else in her life being very far outside his Chicago kingdom. He cannot fathom the position de Beauvoir has made for herself with Sarte in Paris.She however understands what it will mean to leave Paris for Chicago. No physical bliss kan take that away from her mind.

He is dealt the final knockout as the man she loves when she details their love affair in one of her books.

Cruel? Of course. But not half as cruel as the blows dealt the poor bloke of the Belger story.

You went to Columbia. So, it's not just any old school your folks paid for! No wonder you went through some sticker shock with your (figuratively and literally) poor spouse, Paul. Probably explains your dismay that Paul wasn't as well-traveled as you.

Now I have Pulp's "Common People" playing in my head, thanks to you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSXWWrIxSB4

I was really irritated reading this piece for a while. Thank goodness you realized how childish you were for continuing to rely on others to fulfill your dreams. Most people, the vast majority enter into the professional work force with at least one crushing debt burden. You had none. Lucky,lucky you. I had no parents to pay for my college and graduate school. I work hard to save for my son's educatiion while my husband saves for our retirement.

Having been married for 12 years, I know there are ups and downs. My hsuband and I just said yesterday to each other how lucky we are to be employed and doing well, saving, going on vacations as the economy seeps further down the toilet. You've got to know when you've got it goood or else you get highly unrealistic and create problems for yourself.