Recently I've been thinking I would be financially better off (assuming husband is also working) if I were married. My couple friends are more likely to buy homes and start building equity, and if renting, rent isn't as huge a burden on them. Meanwhile I have to pay for everything on my own. Personally I would not get married for financial reasons (I would definitely have to love the person first), but I can see how financial reasons can be a big motivator especially for someone struggling to live on their own.