I know several dudes, friends, co-workers, customers, who've said these words, "Gotta keep the wife happy." This usually involved Buying something. I bought my house from a guy who said these words between me and him. His wife wanted a bigger garden. Their new house costs 2x as much as mine, easily. It wasn't just the garden. She has a doctorate in agriculture working for the USDA. Sweet gig, but she couldn't afford that house without his income. They just had a baby too, talk about going into debt in true married fashion. You don't Have (in lieu of threat of divorce and monetary damage) to keep the woman "happy" when you're single. She has nothing to gain if you don't.