I think what's most important is living in some comfort and being able to pay bills.

Frankly, most of the population is not rich and never will be considered rich. However, that doesn't mean one cannot live comfortably. You would be lying if you said that financial trouble in a relationship can't split a couple up. If money wasn't necessary as a means of exchanging goods and services then I think it wouldn't matter. However, in reality it does.