I'm surprised how little attention that part of the story receives, but maybe I'm in the minority as a late-20s bachelor?
Earnings received by a partner and shared expenses makes a dramatic difference to wealth accumulation. Where I live, if I earn double what two people in a relationship each individually earn, the couple make an extra 12% after-tax vs. what I do because they are taxed at a lower rate on their lower individual incomes. Furthermore, while two people eat and poop twice as much as one person, the greatest expenses (living) can often be shared.
Earnings received by a partner and shared expenses makes a dramatic difference to wealth accumulation. Where I live, if I earn double what two people in a relationship each individually earn, the couple make an extra 12% after-tax vs. what I do because they are taxed at a lower rate on their lower individual incomes. Furthermore, while two people eat and poop twice as much as one person, the greatest expenses (living) can often be shared.