A lovesick woman is looking for a "deep, meaningful relationship " - but insists that her suitor must earn at least £150,000. Maria Ashley, 25, says that there is "nothing superficial" about her high monetary demands because she believes a man "must always pay his way" - and her money "only stretches so far".
The hairstylist, from Swindon, Wiltshire, currently earns £1,800 a month but that's not enough so she is looking for someone who can meet her financial demands. Some people hurl insults at Maria when they hear about her requirements but she's unperturbed and insists there is nothing wrong with choosing a partner who is successful.
What do you think about Maria's dating life? Let us know in the comments...
Maria said: "Some people look at my demands and scoff. I have been accused of being shallow, superficial and only interested in money.
"The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of men are only interested in one thing - whatever they say.
"I, on the other hand, want to get to know my man intimately and his bank balance is far from my only interest.
"At the same time I want him to be successful - he has to be to deserve a woman like me.
"I like a man to treat me like a princess and be able to provide and to do that in this climate you need to be earning at least £150,000.
"Some people might see that as old-fashioned but that is the way I was brought up and there's nothing wrong with it."
Maria also revealed that the cost of living crisis has affected her lifestyle and she was finding it increasingly difficult to keep her head above water.
With inflation topping 10 per cent in recent months amid a gloomy outlook for the UK's economy, she now fears that her salary after tax wouldn't stretch far enough.
Her outgoings include around £900-a-month in rent and bills with the rest going on living expenses.
She has previously modelled on the side but with a lack of work, she has since opted to sign up for a sugar daddy website upon a friend's suggestion.
After a few dates she would "rather forget", she is now on the lookout for an "older Prince Charming".
"Signing up to these websites had never occurred to me before," she revealed.
"But since everything has gone wrong with the economy I thought it was a great idea.
"To be quite frank I'm amazed I never signed up before. I am not necessarily looking for a lover and our relationship will stay totally platonic.
For more of the news you care about, straight to your inbox, sign up for one of our daily newsletters here.
"It is only if there is a spark that we can move from the sugar baby status. And with me, that's something money can't buy."
A spokesman for website Sugar Daddy revealed there had been a "huge spike" in interest from young women as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.
They added: "We can't say the exact reason behind it, and people sign up to us for a whole host of motivations, but it's a fair assumption that the two are related in some of the cases."
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk
