Consider your partner's views on the future, including career and family goals. It's OK to encourage your mate to follow his or her passion when it comes to a career – some people don't figure out until later what they want to be when they grow up. Times are tough economically, so it's OK to support a laid-off partner who needs to find his or her career footing. But it becomes your problem when he or she keeps getting fired or laid off, aimlessly pursues dead-end jobs, or chronically complains about a job without making any changes. Finally, it goes without saying that if you plan to settle down with this person, he or she had better be on the same page as you when it comes to commitments such as marriage and children. If you have completely different views – he's ready to get married and try for kids, and you're not there yet (nor are you sure you ever will be), then it's time for a serious conversation.