Really, Is Feminism Dead? The other night, I met a banker who told me a story that I found amusing (I was a little tipsy), but I wondered if it was apocryphal. It was a story about a woman who posted an ad on Craigslist advertising herself as a gold-digger looking for a rich husband, and the banker who responded to the ad skeptically, saying that his assets ($) would only continue to appreciate while her looks were a declining asset.

(What I didn't tell the guy, who was actually a very nice guy, was that I found the story kind of ironic, given that his fiancee, who was standing nearby, was an absolutely gorgeous woman wearing an engagement ring that she'd want to remove while swimming, lest it drag her down to Davey Jones' locker.)

Anyway, I pick up the Times today and there it is–the whole story. Apparently not an urban myth after all.

Here's the ad, which begins thusly:

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 roadblock. 250,000 won’t get me to central park west....

And the response:

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 simple 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’t be getting any more beautiful!
So, in economic terms you are a depreciating asset and I am an earning asset.

...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....

Ah, modern romance. The thing is, I know a ton of relationships like this in New York and, to a lesser extent, Washington, Boston, and LA. The power of the male-dominated money culture seems to be crushing women's desire for financial independence....  ¶ 12:22 PM