I’m 31M and I’ve been running my own small business for a few years now. I’m not rich, but I’ve worked my way up to a comfortable life decent income, savings, and some financial stability. I’ve been dating my girlfriend (29F) for almost a year, and things are mostly great. She’s supportive and fun to be around, but lately, I’ve noticed little things that make me question her intentions. She’s started hinting at wanting expensive gifts designer bags, jewelry, weekend trips things that honestly don’t fit how I usually spend money. Whenever I say I’d rather save or do something more meaningful, she brushes it off and says I’m being “too practical.” It’s not constant, but it’s happening often enough that it’s starting to bother me.
I’ve seen friends get into relationships where money slowly became the main dynamic, and I really don’t want that. I just want to be sure she’s with me for who I am not for the lifestyle or what I can buy.
How do you figure that out without sounding paranoid or defensive? Have any of you dealt with this before?