My boss was receptive to the idea of me working part time. It is AMAZING what you can get when you ask (and have an action plan in hand).
This is great not because I love my job - I don't, I'm in it for the money and that's it - but because the idea of being 100% financially dependent on the boyfriend was going to cause major damage the relationship. The idea of having to answer to someone else every time I spent a dime is terrifying. Being emotionally dependent on him is cause enough for concern.