How you can spot a lover with some rich prospects

Most singletons wants to catch a wealthy partner – someone they love but with prospects to match. Not everyone is going to hitch an internet billionaire, a rock idol or a Hollywood star but you should know if your lover has the potential to look after your every need. Now Peopleschampion.com, one of the UK’s leading price comparison website, gives ten tell-tale tips to help you find a minted match.

Peopleschampion.com chairman Jim Spowart said: “True love is one thing, but finding a partner who knows how to look after their money could be the difference between a life of comparative luxury – or one struggling on the breadline.”

“There is a serious point to this piece of fun. Saving up to buy your first home has become increasingly more difficult as prices and interest rates have risen – so young people really have to put more money away to make the leap onto the housing ladder. Perhaps you should be looking for a partner who shares your desire to watch their money and own their own home.”

“We are seeing a lot of young men and women across the UK with disposable income who could well be putting more money away for their long-term future if they were more cautious about their everyday spending,” said Mr Spowart.

Dr Jack Boyle, a chartered psychologist based in Glasgow, said: “While men go for physical attraction in selecting a partner, women often select their mate on their prospects of financial security.” Dr Boyle also points out that materialism was found to be significantly related to perception of financial problems in marriage.

So how can you tell if your new-found love is going to be someone with the ability to look after you?

Ten tell-tale tips: If you're looking for a male partner.

Ask him if he's got a little black book - not one to keep old girlfriend's numbers but if it's a savings account. Ask him if he puts cash in regularly, that's an encouraging sign.

Check that's he's not always first up to buy a round for all his mates in the pub. He doesn't have to be stingy - but being overly generous can be a sign that he's not looking after his money.

Keep an eye on his internet activity. A moderate flutter is fine, but beware if he's spending hours playing online poker.

Watch if he flashes his card. Does he stick everything he buys on plastic? Not a good move. If he knows how to use his credit card wisely, he'll have sussed out how to switch to better deals. Better if he pays by cash for the smaller things.

Are the latest lads' mags always lying around on his bedroom floor? A compulsion for so much glossy material might means he's being a little careless with the cash.

Listen to his music. How does he always seem so well informed about the latest releases? Check that his MP3 player isn't crammed with new sounds that he's just downloaded. This quickly mounts up to a considerable monthly bill.

He's desperate to get to the big match - but the tickets are sold out. Then he tells you about a great deal on eBay. Keep a close watch that he isn't paying over the odds for his match-day briefs.

Click, click, zap. Does he send zany picture messages to his mates of the latest hamburger he's bought or hand gestures when he's had a few ciders too many? Watch the monthly phone bill. If it's creeping up, it's time to look for a new tariff.

It's the end of the month blues: does he ask you for a sub when the rent is due? A one-off helping hand might be OK but if this has become a regular occurrence, then there are some tell-tale signs about over-spending here.

Has he been searching for your birthday present on the internet? Does he know the best online jewellery companies? If he does, it could well be true love. He's obviously keen to look after his money - and you too.

Ten tell-tale tips: If you're looking for a female partner.

Does she display acute handbag envy? Is she still delighted with the Gucci bag she got six months ago, or is she looking for something new? Obviously, someone who doesn't need to have the latest accessory is looking after their cash.

Is she a retail raider? Does she return home more than once a week with a clutch of large shopping bags? Take an interest in what’s in the bags – there might be some high-priced items that could go back to the store tomorrow, rather than lost in the wardrobe.

How long is she spending at the nail bar? And didn't she just have them done last week? Keep a handle on this - it might seem like an inexpensive luxury but over the month it soon builds up.

Does she go our for more retail therapy every Saturday with her friends? Does she get ratty if you suggest that you go out as a couple instead? Take an interest in what she's bought - women's clothes are deceptively difficult for a man to work out the cost.

How many times has she seen Justin Timberlake? Has she been to see her rock star hero more than once on his latest tour? It soon totes up once you include the merchandising.

Does her salary cover the month - does she stay in at the end of the month and wash her hair - or does she continue to party with her plastic friends? Ask her if you can cast an eye over her statements to give her a hand.

Check her fridge and keep an eye on those bottles of Pinot Grigio. Does it last more than a day? A £5 bottle every day works out at £140 over the month.

Are the dark or grey roots beginning to show up? Does she need to head to the hair stylist every second week? Keeping that beautiful blonde coiffeured look can cost a fortune.

Is she a Munchkin? Does your partner scoff lots of bars of luxury chocolate and hand-made crisps while she’s watching Big Brother or CSI? Not so good on the waistline – but a savoury attitude can lead to an unsavoury bank balance.

The girls are having a day at the spa - you're delighted because you can play golf or head to a football match. But does your beloved get the full works every time?

If you can say “Yes” to five or more of these categories you could well be storing up problems for your future!