I used to think having a little more money than someone I was dating was no big deal.

Then I learned about "status pursuit" research.

Turns out, people with certain traits specifically target partners with higher financial resources—not for love, but for status enhancement.

Four patterns emerged from my Costa Rica trip that match the research perfectly:

→ The guilt trip ("must be nice to have that option") → The jealousy factor (upset when I networked) → The control game (questioning my spending) → The isolation strategy (separating me from my kids)

Here's what surprised me most: These individuals use a strategic approach. They select situations that afford status, then choose between charming you or putting you down—whatever elevates them.

The shift from charm to control? That's documented behavior, not coincidence.

But here's the important part: Most relationships with financial imbalances are healthy. These red flags apply to maybe 5% of people.

Trust is still the baseline. These patterns just help you identify the few who exploit generosity.

Single parents especially need to watch for someone undermining parenting instincts.