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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Advice needed: He earns half of what I earn.

803 replies

Misssparkles2 · 02/07/2026 10:02

I’ve been with my boyfriend for a 1.5 years. I really do love him and he’s a lovely man. I have a great job and can afford to live without my parents and still have luxuries and what I need. My partner earns significantly less than me as he is a TA in a school. He absolutely loves his job and has no plans of leaving. However, the relationship is starting to become expensive for me and unbalanced. I want him to feel welcomed at mine he doesn’t live with me but will come and stay over usually 3 times a week. Although I have a good salary at 25 it’s not enough to fund another adult and he’s never expected that from me but because he has less financially it natural ends up happening. When he comes over I’ve started to feel the pinch. Shower gel running out quickly, toilet roll, dinners/ food as he’s eating too. Even electric as he doesn’t have lots of clothing so he will put his work clothes on for a wash and it’s all costing me.

im starting to feel a way about it because I know he has no plans of leaving his job so how will his finances get better. He also has debt he accumulated in his early 20s he’s 28 now.

it sounds silly but u genuinely feel like a fairy making things happen behind the scenes while our relationship continues. Replacing the shower gel that would usually last me a lot longer or the bottle of iron liquid he would use to iron his shirt. Even a date he hasn’t got the finances to do that so if I want to do that it’s coming out of my pocket.

I love him but I’m paying more financially and I’m there for him emotionally like any partner would be but it seems unfair.

Has anyone got any advice as he’s not a horrible person and doesn’t expect it but it naturally happens if we are spending time together.

OP posts:
AImportantMermaid · 02/07/2026 10:09

If he’s staying over 3 nights a week then he needs to be contributing to bills and food. Doing laundry every week is taking the piss.

BIWI · 02/07/2026 10:08

Have you actually talked to him about this?

It's all very well him continuing in a low paid job because he loves it, but you paying for all the stuff he's using/needs is like you've become his parent.

You need to have a very frank and honest discussion about this if you see a future in the relationship.

TinyBlueDent · 02/07/2026 10:06

Staying overnight 3 times a week and doing his laundry at your house?? One word: cocklodger.

You either need to have a discussion about him contributing financially, or stop him staying overnight.