For centuries, seducing a rich and powerful man into marriage was a woman's intent to insure her future. And men complied by flaunting their toys to impress adoring females. Although that was a while back, things today have not changed much. In perusing some online personals, I found one current day Lothario boasting his very own "Stairmaster," another offering to share his "huge" lottery wins, and still another celebrating, not his piano, but his "Steinway." Yet, I also discovered that bragging to bag a love has become an equal opportunity sport.

In record numbers, now men seek women with assets-and it's for the same lame reasons women have sought rich men. This new wave of male booty-hunters has produced a new gigolo custom of "onedownsmanship." Instead of guys exhibiting their resources as they used to, now they cry poverty, especially after divorce, and oblige ladies to lavish them with gifts. And women are all too happy to comply. The female financier is usually lonely and ripe for the sweet-talker who seduces with panache. While the "prince" appears as charming as Jeffrey Dahmer, he's as sincere as Hannibal Lechter, ready to get the goodies, then dice his lover's heart.

While the rationale behind purchasing power is to love what you buy, love for hire misconstrues hype for love, and love as lasting. I presided over a daytime talk show with five women who had been conned by cassanovas they assumed were telling them the truth. In addition to four housewives, there was the gorgeous model from "The Price is Right," Janet Pennington. Her story about marrying a debonair guy she met on Aspen's snowy slopes had women wishing they were in her ski boots. Suddenly, he disappeared. After 17 years and a fortune spent searching for him, she discovered he was an international spy! All five women on stage agreed that the signs of a "knightmare" in shining ardor are there from night one. It's just that they dismiss them. Why??

They may be attractive, wealthy, or accomplished, but the needy and the lonely are not the choosy. They wrestle with Father Time, desperate to grab the glitter before they fear their lights will dim. The sad news is that pay-per-view passion keeps declining in age. Middle school girls-some only 12 years old-give boys oral sex to boost their popularity. How do these young girls differ from the adult women who sat on the talk show stage with me, allowing themselves to be bought for love?

Giving to get back is not giving at all; it's control. Empty assets come and go, especially in this volatile economy. The only fortune that endures is knowing you're loved for being you. To stave off con jobs, know that you're worth more than a hustler's ransom!