Romance Risk Profile: Safe or Sparkling?

“Oh Suz, I’ve got a decision to make …” Elle shared as she joined her friend on the lounge in the hotel lobby, taking her seat with a sigh.

“Tell me more,” Suz offered, as she beckoned the waiter to bring two flutes of champagne to ease her conversation with Elle. “So, you met up with Simon before the group dinner didn’t you?” Suz enquired.

Elle nodded, she had been keen to spend a little more time with Simon alone before catching up with the gang – he was good-looking, a lot of fun and had a charm about him, all very attractive features. They shared a stroll along the boardwalk at dusk. They took in the harbour views and shared fleeting embraces as those embarking on new romances do as they passed waterfront venues on their way to the restaurant.

As they approached the group dinner, Simon commented on how the restaurant selected for tonight’s catch up was “totally a Paul pick”, it was several streets back from the harbour, nothing too fancy and had pretty simple decor and set up.

Over dinner, Paul suggested that the gang go for pitchers of sangria as an option for beverages, avoiding the inflated ‘wine by the glass’ prices on the menu.

Elle caught Simon’s eyes rolled at the suggestion, it was subtle enough, but it was definitely there. The moment stayed on her mind longer than the time it took to pass.

Elle felt for Paul, he was just trying to keep the costs under control. Recently she’d gotten to know him too, he was sweet and had a kind face, but she had noticed that he almost always took the most frugal option at each opportunity.

Both Paul and Simon had expressed in continuing a romance with Elle, and she was perplexed at her options. “Paul just feels, so,” she paused and struggled to find the next word, then it came, “safe,” she said.

Suz nodded and encouraged her to continue, “and Simon feels …” she led.

“Oh Simon,’ she sighed, “he’s just a bit more fun. He’s not ‘unsafe’, just he’s happy to not always look at the price tag,” she elaborated. “I’ve always been that bit more conservative, with money” Elle added, “and it’s something I’ve wanted to work on – allowing myself to enjoy some of my savings, not all the days are rainy ones, you know?”

Suz gently laughed, sipped her champagne and posed the question, “So, you’re making a choice between safe and sparkling then?” Elle smiled and joined her friend in a smirk and further sip of champagne, and beckoned to the waiter for two more flutes for them to share.

As she raised her second flute of champagne, Elle toasted, “to enjoying sunny days, with a sparkling wine and perhaps a sparkling Simon too!” Elle realised that her decision making wasn’t only related to the gentlemen themselves, but her own relationship with money and the attitudes and beliefs she wanted to curate in her life.

Research shows that an individual’s experiences can shape their behaviour. Studies show that people who grew up during periods of high inflation or recession are more likely to invest conservatively, while those who came of age during strong share-market conditions tend to favour growth-oriented assets.

In much the same way, a prospective partner often feels more comfortable when their financial history and beliefs align with your own. Starting a relationship, whether financial or personal, with someone who has a very different tolerance for risk or approach to money can be challenging.

Take time to reflect on whether your current beliefs are serving you or holding you back from becoming the investor you want to be, while remaining mindful of the consequences of taking on additional risk.

This article contains general information only and does not provide personal financial, investment, legal, tax or lending advice. Consider your circumstances and seek appropriately qualified professional advice before making investment decisions.