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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Parents moaning their pensions are not enough!!

394 replies

Bluesky91 · 12/04/2024 22:04

My parents own a large 3 bed semi. They extended it to convert to a huge 5bed house. After I moved out, my brother stayed back. He is not a high earner (teacher). He got married a few years later. His wife works for minimum wage. On their salaries, they will struggle to live on their own - they will have nothing left to save/spend on lifestyle. They have a 4yr old child. They all live with my parents.

Earlier this evening, I was visiting my parents. My mom was out with her exercise group. Brother, SIL and DN went out for dinner. My dad ticked off all of a sudden saying they have no money by 20th of every month and it’s very unfair on pensioners. wtf. My parents have TWO pensions. Just that they chose to pay everything for the house, bills, food, cleaner, car, childcare, DNs activities, etc. DB/SIL spend their income on lifestyle and investments. it’s not NHS/ Govt’s problem. My dad got so mad a me for saying this, he shouted at me saying “do you want us to kick your brother out? How will he live?”

Within means? Like everyone else?

AIBU ?

OP posts:
justasking111 · 13/04/2024 08:44

Iamnotalemming · 13/04/2024 08:38

@Bluesky91 your thread really resonated with me. My DB has always lived with my parents, now my DM since my DF passed. He has always worked (low pay but full time) and never paid rent, rarely cooked or cleaned. For a long time I was so angry about it that I was basically NC with my DB because I felt that he was taking advantage of my parents. My parents didn't ever want to insist on rent because DB has some undiagnosed MH issues, they didn't think he could look after himself and they didn't want him to feel 'unwelcome'. After some years I had to let it go because I realised it was just affecting my relationship with my parents. These days DB does pay for some bills on the house on an ad hoc basis and helps a bit with house jobs and gardening. DM likes to tell me whenever DB does something like I should be proud of him...🙄

I still worry about what will happen when my DM passes. DB will have to stand on his own 2 feet and what will happen with the house? Will I have to evict him? Ultimately I don't think my parents have actually been kind to DB because he is in many ways ill equipped to deal with the world on his own.

So no advice, just solidarity.

You won't have to evict him if he inherits as my friends brother has. Problem is that he's in his sixties now and really can't afford it but that's because he's rarely worked. It's a tip already 🙈

Iamnotalemming · 13/04/2024 08:38

@Bluesky91 your thread really resonated with me. My DB has always lived with my parents, now my DM since my DF passed. He has always worked (low pay but full time) and never paid rent, rarely cooked or cleaned. For a long time I was so angry about it that I was basically NC with my DB because I felt that he was taking advantage of my parents. My parents didn't ever want to insist on rent because DB has some undiagnosed MH issues, they didn't think he could look after himself and they didn't want him to feel 'unwelcome'. After some years I had to let it go because I realised it was just affecting my relationship with my parents. These days DB does pay for some bills on the house on an ad hoc basis and helps a bit with house jobs and gardening. DM likes to tell me whenever DB does something like I should be proud of him...🙄

I still worry about what will happen when my DM passes. DB will have to stand on his own 2 feet and what will happen with the house? Will I have to evict him? Ultimately I don't think my parents have actually been kind to DB because he is in many ways ill equipped to deal with the world on his own.

So no advice, just solidarity.

SoupChicken · 13/04/2024 08:37

Does your dad think you should be giving them money? That’s what it sounds like to me.

DriftingDora · 13/04/2024 08:34

Willyoujustbequiet · 12/04/2024 22:25

I don't understand why you think a teacher would struggle to live apart from his parents. What do you think all other teachers do?

My thoughts exactly! Other teachers manage to live, pay their bills and have children, what's so different about this couple (unless they're squirrelling it away, which I strongly suspect is the case here)?

OP, has the brother's wife tried to get a job that pays more than minimum wage? Have you tried pointing out that it's your brother's responsibility to provide for his wife and child, not the responsibility of your parents? How can your brother have any pride, to allow this arrangement to continue indefinitely - it doesn't say much for him, does it?

No sympathy for your parents, I'm afraid. If they allow themselves to be used, then they will be. Your brother and his wife sound entitled and lazy.

DAZZlanch · 13/04/2024 08:34

Bluesky91 · 12/04/2024 22:32

Property prices and rents are super expensive where we live.

I’m a solo mum to twins and a teacher. Property prices were extremely expensive where I lived when my two were born (London) so I moved to Kent. I’m only 45 mins from my family and friends in London (plus I’ve made lots of lovely friends in Kent, & one family member actually followed suit about five years ago and also moved here). I am entirely financially independent with a three bed house and a lovely little garden. If I can manage it with two kids and one salary, your brother and his wife can manage it.

Coconutter24 · 13/04/2024 08:28

Bluesky91 · 12/04/2024 22:35

DB and SIL won’t move out.

  1. They can’t afford this lifestyle
  2. my parents are not used to living on their own
  3. They are too attached to DN

Then your parents will have to just cope with being skint all the time while their DS and family are probably saving thousands each year. This is their problem not yours and if parents aren’t willing to change anything they have to just suck it up unfortunately.
Does DB know how stretched his parents are? If not just tell him and wife and if he offers to pay something each month great, if he doesn’t it’s even clearer that he’s just a freeloader.

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 13/04/2024 08:26

@Bluesky91 i think your father is angling for a bit of financial help to subsidise their (dp's as well as db's and dsil's) way of living

mynamechangemyrules · 13/04/2024 08:24

@Bluesky91 In the country where I used to live this was very much the norm, even with big banking jobs or whatever, the son stays in the family home with his wife, daughters off elsewhere. If everyone is happy (bar your dad..!) then I'd leave it.

Definitely worth pointing out to your DB that he should be saving enough to buy you out of your half of your parent's property when it comes to it though...! And I think you should be clear with everyone on that point. My DB is always blithering on about living in my parents home when they no longer are (beautiful location 💕) - me and my sisters always show him the current market value and remind him to get saving 😂😂😂

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 13/04/2024 08:24

KoolKookaburra · 13/04/2024 08:06

DB won’t take a betteR paying job or a role with more responsibility

I agree with you but it still reads to me like OP things DB should be earning more

Or maybe she simply means if he isn’t paying for any expenses at all the db thinks he doesn’t earn enough? Although with a combined income of at least 50k he obviously is and wants to keep his champagne lifestyle without working or paying for it!

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 13/04/2024 08:24

@Bluesky91 be prepared, in the future, to have no inheritance! it will ALL go to your brother, including the house!!!!!

Noicant · 13/04/2024 08:23

It’s also typical that he seems resentful of you rather than the giant cost centre that is your brother. Can’t be horrible about the golden child, has to be the other ones fault somehow, don’t know how but definitely her fault. As you can tell, I was the black sheep 😑.

WoodBurningStov · 13/04/2024 08:20

No wonder your db is so entitled when his dp have been enabling him all his life.

I think pretty much everyone can see how U your df is to blame his financial situation on the gov, but I doubt very much he will ever admit it's down to his poor choices

Nanaof1 · 13/04/2024 08:20

sandyhappypeople · 12/04/2024 23:49

Why do you think your dad even bought it up though?

Was he just wanting a bit of a vent about finances while everyone was out, and you used it as a reason to go on a big brother-bashing rant? or was he genuinely thinking something would come from it, like perhaps you may have a quiet word with your mum or even your brother?

I'm confused as to why he would even mention it, knowing that there's a very obvious solution to the problem, brother and SIL just need to pay more to stay there!

Or dear old daddy was hoping that OP would offer up HER money to get them through the month so their LWS, his DW and DD can live a lifestyle they could ill afford in the real world.

Otter2 · 13/04/2024 08:19

Sounds to me like your brother and his family are financially abusing your parents. Teachers are not badly paid at all.

You also sound bitter, angry and envious which is not a healthy way to be.

Noicant · 13/04/2024 08:19

Bluesky91 · 13/04/2024 08:08

I always had a feeling they didn’t like the fact that DH and I earned our way. Even my in-laws are like this! They are constantly helping “poor SIL”, (DHs sister) she is a housewife with a wealthy husband. We have a house and a nice car, BUT, it’s all on mortgage/ debt. Our kids go to state schools and I always worked full time, even when children were babies. it was bloody hard. We paid for childcare. Not once did anyone offer to help - neither with childcare, nor with money.

They basically have a favourite and need to justify the difference in treatment somehow.

Boomer55 · 13/04/2024 08:17

Pensions, like wages, can vary a huge amount. Costs can also vary.🤷‍♀️

justasking111 · 13/04/2024 08:17

There's nothing you can do about a golden child. My friends have a son like this. He and his wife both teachers complain continuously about poverty. They can't afford xyz. Son is a deputy headteacher at a huge secondary school, wife working part time.

Friend inherited some money and property so the whining was ramped up. They're now giving them money. I have to zip my lips because their other son married with two children continue to live within their means and are hardly mentioned. All the hand wringing is over this younger brothers financial struggles. Apparently they need a bigger house now 🙄

Bookworm1111 · 13/04/2024 08:16

Bluesky91 · 13/04/2024 08:15

He isn’t watching my parents struggle. I’m sure my parents didn’t even tell him, too proud to tell him they are struggling!!

So you should. If he’s that nice he might be mortified.

Bluesky91 · 13/04/2024 08:16

KoolKookaburra · 13/04/2024 08:11

I think the problem is the lifestyle expectations not the job

Exactly

OP posts:
Bluesky91 · 13/04/2024 08:15

Dibbydoos · 13/04/2024 08:13

I'd be having a word with my brother. He's taking the piss. Your parents shouldn't need to ask, he earns a wage as does his wife - probably >£55k between them so why can't thry afford anything? It's complete BS yet he's watching your parents struggle. What an entitled AH he is.

He isn’t watching my parents struggle. I’m sure my parents didn’t even tell him, too proud to tell him they are struggling!!

OP posts:
Bluesky91 · 13/04/2024 08:14

AwBlessm · 13/04/2024 08:04

That sounds very frustrating, OP. Where does all of your brother's/SIL's money go when they're not paying rent, utilities, food, and at least some childcare? Not that anyone should count on an inheritance, but I think PP are right that your parents will probably give him the house.

Savings (investments), DNs school fees (my parents pay for activities I think), eating out, hobbies, commute.

OP posts:
Dibbydoos · 13/04/2024 08:13

I'd be having a word with my brother. He's taking the piss. Your parents shouldn't need to ask, he earns a wage as does his wife - probably >£55k between them so why can't thry afford anything? It's complete BS yet he's watching your parents struggle. What an entitled AH he is.

Noicant · 13/04/2024 08:12

On reflection I don’t think it’s financial as such, seen this before (I’m asian, this sounds very familiar). It’s about keeping sons close and helping them build up family lineage wealth by preserving the sons money (some sort of contribution is the norm though in asian households). Also comes with the expectation that the DIL will care for them in old age and they won’t end up in a care home. Many want to set up their sons but think their daughters will basically be added onto someoneelses family tree so no longer counts.

So utterly stupid. Head tilt “what do you think you should do dad” and leave it at that.

KoolKookaburra · 13/04/2024 08:11

Bluesky91 · 13/04/2024 08:10

Yes, I think one needs to find ways to earn enough to meet their own lifestyle expectations.

I think the problem is the lifestyle expectations not the job

Bluesky91 · 13/04/2024 08:10

KoolKookaburra · 13/04/2024 08:06

DB won’t take a betteR paying job or a role with more responsibility

I agree with you but it still reads to me like OP things DB should be earning more

Yes, I think one needs to find ways to earn enough to meet their own lifestyle expectations.

OP posts: