By totallyweddings resident old married woman, Jean Liscombe

Anyone with cash to flash when they’ve just got married is a very lucky man.

Even now, at the planning stage, you can see money stacking up on the credit card faster that you can say “I will”.

But hey, she’s head over heels and knows all the important things about you

– but does that include the contents of your bank account?

What about some date not too far in the future, when the confetti has been

swept away, and reality sets in? Love may be blind but it doesn’t pay the electricity bill. Well, take it from me, unless she’s a callous gold-digger, it’s easy to impress the woman of your dreams long after you’ve tied the knot, loaded or not.

Most women these days are financially independent and haven’t been brought up to marry the first bloke who’ll let them put their feet up. This doesn’t mean she’ll love you even if you turn out to be a lazy slob, but she’s likely to earn as much – or even more – than you.

The way to a woman’s heart is to consistently show your generosity – and that doesn’t mean flashing your credit card around. Do that and you’ll just look a pratt.

Oh no. The man who comes up with a thoughtful gift, even if he can afford an expensive one, will always win through. And women, like small children and puppies, ultimately just want your undivided attention, even if it’s for a short time. And that doesn’t mean a ‘romantic’ walk in the park with your Walkman tuned to the football.

If you want to keep the magic alive you simply have to be creative – it will ultimately save you a fortune.

For example, she might love Italian food. Rather than spending a fortune at snazzy restaurants, sign up for a cookery course together. If she loves a TV series but never got round to seeing the last one, buy her the box set.

Drive her to a local beauty spot and surprise her with a picnic – that you have bought all the food for and prepared, complete with fizz on ice. It just shows you thought about it and made the effort.

Money worries can lead to big rows – or worse - so be a shrewd spender. Look out for zero percent credit cards, interest free loans and so on. It’s not about being tight, it’s about making the most of what you have – and any woman worth her salt will love you for that.

Keep an eye on the future, too. No girl wants to marry a skinflint who’s too busy saving for his retirement to have fun, but if you make plans now for when you’re old and grey, she’ll see you’re in it for the long term – together.

If you haven’t bought the engagement rings yet, you don't need money to buy class and style. Look in the sales and keep the design simple – in fact that applies to most everything in life.

And what if you haven’t yet made it in your chosen career and cash is a bit thin on the ground? Be an optimist – everyone loves one – and don’t whinge on about how other people are stopping you achieving your goals. Taking control of your life, doing what you love and doing it well is more likely to lead to longterm happiness than doing a job just for the money.

Stylish clothes, a decent car and a successful career will place even the most ordinary bloke in a good light.

But a man who changes his underpants daily (and puts them in the washing basket), who really LISTENS when she’s talking and who occasionally gives her a really thoughtful gift will be the richest man in the world.

Because he has a woman who loves him for all the right reasons.