Search Results: best age for marriage

My boyfriend and I have been dating since October of 2012. We live together (we moved in together in September 2013) and are very happy, despite what other people think of our relationship. People judge us because we're 19 years apart - I'm 21 and he's 40. The age gap may seem big, but we both have a lot in common and I've never felt a connection like this with anyone before.

I'm a full-time student and he's a surgeon. I used to work as a pharmacy technician, but he thought it was best to focus just on my studies. He's been supporting us, and a few nights ago, he suggested that we open a joint bank account. He doesn't think it's healthy for our relationship if I have to ask him for money. He trusts that I won't spend like crazy. We are talking marriage, but I want to wait until I'm finished graduate school and have started my career. I'm an undergraduate junior now.

My problem is I'm worried that if I open a joint bank account with him, it's just another reason people will stick the gold-digger label on my forehead. I don't want to give anyone any reason to think I'm a gold-digger or that he's buying me. It's offensive because people act like I'm prostituting myself or he's taking advantage of me. I'm not a gold-digger and he's not buying my love and I hate when people think otherwise. He thinks I worry too much about what other people think.

Should I open a joint bank account with him or will that only cause people to stereotype us more?