Yea, I consider financial dynamics in long-term relationships a different subject altogether. I'm married and I'm the primary breadwinner (I make quite a bit more than her).

Regardless, we live the same lifestyle, and that's intentional. Part of our paychecks goes into a central account for bills, part goes into savings, the rest is distributed into personal accounts for me and my wife respectively for spending at our own discretion. I have no more discretionary funds than she does, regardless of our income differential.

It would only breed contempt if one partner in a long-term relationship lived a life of excess while the other lived a life of frugality, regardless of who makes what.

That being said, I don't think -- guy pays for everything -- is a good start for establishing financial dynamics between couples. I know that's not what you're saying, I just wanted to tie this back to my original comment.