Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1806 – 1861

(Updated and financialized by Tana Gildea)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee enough to live within our means

So we shall never face the collections fiends

And we can be debt-free at the end of our days.

My 401k can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of our being at an ideal pace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, without going into debt and
causing us to fight.

I love thee freely, with all my spending in
plain sight.

I love thee purely, with my assets protecting us
each night.

I love thee with the passion to invest our
assets with good use

Without my old fears, and with a conservative
faith.

I love thee without needing jewels,

Or endless stuff like some fools. I love thee
with the bonds,

stocks, and security of a good financial life;
and, if God choose,

I shall save and invest until we part in death.

Who do you love enough to create financial
security for? Hopefully yourself!

To your financial (and Valentine) success!

Tana