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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

“Stop talking to me like one of your fucking patients”

118 replies

drmindful · 11/02/2026 18:06

Ive always earned more than my dp, but live well below my means. I studied at uni, and worked hard in lower paid roles whilst training to get to where I am now. I’m by no means an exceptional earner, but I earn a decent wage and have saved money from not wasting it on pointless stuff. I only earn around £300 more than Dp, but always (used to) have money at the end of the month

When we were about to get married he started asking me to lend him £30/40 until he got paid. This was usually because he’d spent a lot of money on takeaways or gaming stuff. I didn’t see an issue with this and at first he gave it back.

Then there was talk of “our money” and so I felt that as a couple there’s no “paying back” money owed.

In the last year alone, I must’ve given him around £2000 to cover his costs per month. Some of this is given back, but most of it isn’t. This month his car (finance) doubled in payment because he’d missed it twice, and I had to pay it (£1300) as otherwise we’d have no car. And then it broke down, so I had to dip into my savings and pay another £400. So in the last 2 weeks I’ve had to spend £1700 on his car. It’s a necessity for work for him. I work on a ward and get the bus to and from work.

He has £20 for the rest of this month, and no savings. He pays £300 for a gym membership and I have zero idea what he’s spent the rest of his money on besides a new coat.

So today we went to see a house. We are living with his dad at the moment, as I care for him. His dad has now got live in carers and so we’re in a position to move out.

It’s been a lot at his dads, I’ve been up in the night looking after him (dementia), it’s a two bed bungalow and me, Dp and DS3.5 had to share a room. It’s caused a lot of issues.

The house would cost us £1900 per month in rent. Before we viewed he said this was doable for him. So £950 each plus bills.

The landlord said it’s ready to move into at the end of this month (before Dp payday). I said I’d use my salary this month to cover the rent and he’d pay his half back when he got paid.

He then said “I don’t know how much I’m getting paid”, “nothing is risk free” and he cannot guarantee that there’ll be months when unexpected payments come up.

I said that wasn’t good enough and he needed to prioritise his payments to the house, and if he couldn’t then we can’t sign for it.

He speed off, hit his hand on the steering wheel repeatedly, said I speak to him like “one of your fucking patients” and “you always talk down to me”. I tried to explain I needed security when using more of my savings to secure a home for us. He said “do you think I don’t always put our family first?”

I held it together until we got home and then said I needed to go for a little walk. He asked me to be back in 5 minutes as he was off to his friends house an hour drive away to take him to an event tonight. When I got back he said “I’ll have the money” and then left. He won’t be back until gone midnight. So I’m just sat here crying.

AIBU to feel reluctant to put down this deposit?

OP posts:
GenechandlerHeyMrBigshotNsoul · 11/02/2026 19:16

Time to jettison this one into outer space
Imagine how much worse if you had children with this fool.

Evergreen21 · 11/02/2026 19:13

You won't get the money back for the car so I'd just accept that one. I would absolutely get cms payments as they are for your son and whether you save it for him or use it towards his care is up to you. He is entitled to it. I would go for a property on your own whether it be renting or buying. You deserve better than a manchild. You are doing it all pn your own anyway, you'll feel much more at peace once you get rid of the dead weight. Best of luck to you. I'd reach out to family or friends for support because I think you will need it.

Arlanymor · 11/02/2026 19:12

I think the car is a sunk cost fallacy here. Based off of his previous behaviour I doubt you'll get it back and it shouldn't be the reason that you hang around in this situation that is no good for you or your child. I would cut ties sooner rather than later and definitely go for CMS because it's money for your child and also it's the only way you are going to get ANY money out of him going forward.

taxguru · 11/02/2026 19:12

Historyonaplate · 11/02/2026 18:14

SO many red flags he's waving infront of you.

Don't move with him. Move without him.

He's a money draining, aggressive, disrespectful man child.

Nail on the head. LTB!

Don't even think of signing up for anything jointly as his poor financial control/management will drag your credit score down in the long term.

He's wanting a lifestyle way above his ability - why does he need such an expensive car, why such an expensive gym? Where else does his money go - is it booze, gambling, women, or just general wasted money on gaming/gadgets? Sounds like he's just a grasping man-child who has no sense of responsibility.

He's clearly one of life's "takers" and probably sees you as an easy option to have the lifestyle he craves without doing the work himself to earn the money.

Please don't rent/buy a house together and please don't marry him. It WILL only end in tears and probably your wrecked credit score and finances.

Liminal1975 · 11/02/2026 19:04

OP, it started off like this for me too. 23 years on in in a lot of debt from bailing him out (divorce pending).

Run.

Heronwatcher · 11/02/2026 18:58

drmindful · 11/02/2026 18:39

I know this relationship is dead in the water but being cynical and maybe a bit resentful, I’m waiting until I get paid back for the car before ending things. I’m also going to present him with a list of the money I’ve sent him over the years.

I’m shocked any man would feel okay leeching of their partner and feeling no remorse over it.

I will proceed on the house and he won’t be on the tenancy. I don’t want CMS off him. I want him to realise he’s majorly let down his family, and most of all, his son.

I’m sorry to be pessimistic but I’m not sure you’ll get the car money back. I think you might be better cutting your losses now.

Honestly can’t you save a deposit for a house (obviously only buy it AFTER you’re divorced if you’re married) or rent somewhere smaller? That rent every month would terrify me.

ACommonTreasuryForAll · 11/02/2026 18:56

You sound lovely, OP.
I think you could come to deeply regret financially tying yourself to this man. You already have a child together, and that will bring its own challenges, but I think you might come to regret further financial enmeshment with this person. His reliance on your bailing him out is so disrespectful of your time, energy and sacrifice. Next time he needs financial assistance, how would he respond if you suggested asking a friend: "I can't help you this month, but why don't we ask if George can sub you when we see him at the pub later?" Your partner is relying on your good will and discretion not to out him as a sponger.

BlueWellieSocks · 11/02/2026 18:55

If he doesn't have £950 a month spare now, with (I'm assuming) no housing costs, how is going to have it spend on rent?

Litning · 11/02/2026 18:55

I’m shocked any man would feel okay leeching of their partner and feeling no remorse over it

Welcome to modern day misogyny. Men still want to be the boss, but they also want women to be the breadwinner, nurturer and child bearer.

Just curious Op, since you’re unmarried did your child take both your surnames or just yours? Out of principle I’m hoping he doesn’t just have your partners.

AwfullyGood · 11/02/2026 18:52

Consider the money he owes you as the cost of the best lesson you'll ever learn - that he's not good enough for you or your son, that he doesn't and won't have your back and can't be relied upon.

Go, fo it on your own. It will be much easier.
Rubbish men do not deserve decent women.

Heronwatcher · 11/02/2026 18:51

No way. He’s living beyond his means already, how an earth do you think he’s going to afford another £900 a month.

His gym and car finance are ridiculous. We’re on 6 figures as a household and don’t pay as much as that.

I’d be using the time at his dads to save for a deposit for a place for you and DC.

BotterMon · 11/02/2026 18:51

You/re subbing him when there's no rent to pay and now considering moving into a rented accommodation with him? Are you bonkers?

You'll end of paying ALL the rent plus continuing to bail him out and bankrupting yourself. Get rid pdq!

Egglio · 11/02/2026 18:50

drmindful · 11/02/2026 18:39

I know this relationship is dead in the water but being cynical and maybe a bit resentful, I’m waiting until I get paid back for the car before ending things. I’m also going to present him with a list of the money I’ve sent him over the years.

I’m shocked any man would feel okay leeching of their partner and feeling no remorse over it.

I will proceed on the house and he won’t be on the tenancy. I don’t want CMS off him. I want him to realise he’s majorly let down his family, and most of all, his son.

You absolutely DO want CMS off him. Its for you son, not you. Why would you let a grown man out of that one.

The whole 'dont talk to me like I'm one of your patients' schtick is because he is worried that now you are qualified, now you know stuff, now you can get independent in your own right, that you will wise up and leave. The knee jerk reaction to that statement is 'of course I'm not! I would never do that!' and then you modify your behaviour. Then he gets what he wants.

PruthePrune · 11/02/2026 18:46

You are not going to get the money back for the car so just forget about it. Concentrate on your new home which will be yours and yours alone and kick this leech to the kerb.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 11/02/2026 18:46

I want him to realise he’s majorly let down his family, and most of all, his son.

He probably never will, lovely. He's too entitled and it's all about him, he doesn't have the will to care about anyone else, not even his son. It's going

His father, in his lucid moments, is capable of much more awareness I should think. He sounds lovely. He's also lucky to have you.

Emotionalsupporttissue · 11/02/2026 18:45

I'm glad you realise that this is a non starter. It's massively off putting having to sub a grown man all the time.

WhatTheHeII · 11/02/2026 18:44

He can live with dad. What a leech on your finances, he doesn't even seem to like you does he?
And, he's lying about the gym - find out what his money is going on

Chisbots · 11/02/2026 18:43

It must be a bloody nice gym...

Bruisername · 11/02/2026 18:41

Forget the car - sunk cost fallacy - he is just going to borrow more and more. Do not have his name on the rental and tell him to stay with his dad. He is dragging you down financially. What does he do for you?

his dad sounds like he treated you better than your dp does - you don’t need to stop visiting just because you split up

drmindful · 11/02/2026 18:39

I know this relationship is dead in the water but being cynical and maybe a bit resentful, I’m waiting until I get paid back for the car before ending things. I’m also going to present him with a list of the money I’ve sent him over the years.

I’m shocked any man would feel okay leeching of their partner and feeling no remorse over it.

I will proceed on the house and he won’t be on the tenancy. I don’t want CMS off him. I want him to realise he’s majorly let down his family, and most of all, his son.

OP posts:
Auroraloves · 11/02/2026 18:36

are there any houses available that you can afford on your own?

id be moving into a house without him, just your child

drmindful · 11/02/2026 18:36

I can afford this house on my own. It’s the principal. I’m not paying for him to live in a lovely house in a nice area whilst he continues to prioritise his own life. No way. I’m looking for a home for our child and our family. I’m not paying for it all.

I already do all food shops. I get called controlling when I ask him why he’s go no money left.

I have no issue looking after his dad. Before his dad got unwell he was the loveliest and kindest man in the world. He treated me like a daughter, helped me out with childcare when I went back to work and drove me to placements which he deemed “too far” to travel on the bus. It’s the least I could do for him. I have a lot of love for his dad. And his dad in moments of lucidity is grateful and lovely.

OP posts:
Wakemeupinapril · 11/02/2026 18:35

My exh was similar. My money was our money. His money was his. When i found out exactly how much he earned and fucking wasted I filed for divorce.. After I threw him out. (rental).
No regrets.. Like hell would i have shared a debt like a mortgage with him.

catinateacup · 11/02/2026 18:33

I’ve been here; and if and when he starts earning more money, the day he pays you back and starts contributing equally will never, ever come. He’ll be as controlling about money when he has some as much as he leeches when he doesn’t.

On top of that, he’s aggressive and disrespectful. It will only get worse from here, so don’t fall into the sunk costs fallacy — leave him now before he bleeds you dry and you’re financially tied through marriage or a house.

If you can’t leave him just yet, minimise your financial exposure to his debts as much as possible, and don’t take on any new contracts either with him where you are liable for all his expenses.

Honestly, he’s got a live-in carer for his parent plus a money pot in you. He should by rights be fawningly grateful, so the fact that he’s also disrespectful and has anger issues is a MASSIVE red flag. Don’t wait around for the day he suddenly realises how grateful he is — it will never happen. Sorry, OP. 💐

Eviangeica · 11/02/2026 18:33

I’d be finding somewhere to move to (just me and my child) then claiming CMS and any childcare or anything you’re entitled to from UC.

I couldn’t be with a financially incompetent partner like this. Do not sign for that house unless you can afford it on your own.

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