Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

I pay for everything

42 replies

Kettleofflash · 27/06/2022 18:32

Didn’t know where to post this but my partner is in a lot of debt with court cases over family issues and is unlikely to pay it off for many years. He lives wage to wage owing people money for food in the last week before his pay and I found out he ate once a day to make it last. I’ve given him money, paid for things and done food shops for him many times to make sure he’s taken care of but now I’m getting sick of it. I know he can’t help the costs or being on a low wage but he doesn’t help himself at all and happily let’s me get my purse out at every chance. His friend offered him Sunday work twice a month for £200 which would help but he said he’d rather rest as it’s his only day off. Before the debt got worse we’d spoken about what our future would be like and our ideal wedding, how many children we wanted and things like that. Now I’m considering telling him that I don’t want any of that anymore because money will be an issue and I don’t want to pay everything and essentially have a cocklodger. Maybe I’m being ott as it will be paid off eventually but I don’t want to put myself in a position I’m taken advantage of or waiting for a life he can’t contribute to.
Would I be unreasonable to tell him we have no future if he doesn’t sort himself out financially? Or just delay any type of future milestones until he’s sorted? I am supportive of what he’s going through and we have a great relationship in general before anyone assumes I only care about the money side. I don’t want to lose him but I don’t want to resent him when we have a mortgage and a baby to pay for and he can’t help because I waited for us to be settled and it never happened. How do I word how I feel without upsetting him?

OP posts:
MotherWol · 27/06/2022 18:35

If he can’t support himself now, what makes you think he’s going to be able to support a child? Honestly I’d have a good long think about whether it’s time to end the relationship.

BornIn78 · 27/06/2022 18:40

Stop paying for anything for him for a few weeks and see how interested he is in a future with you once he realises you’re not getting your purse out all the time.

Kettleofflash · 27/06/2022 18:42

It is a temporary issue as he was in a good position financially when we met and always great with money, but I’m unsure how long exactly it will take to pay off. Possibly 10 years which by then I’ll be too old for a baby anyway. I can’t force him to get a better paid job or pay less towards the debt though. Great idea about not paying and seeing his reaction though, I know he’s embarrassed about relying on others but there comes a point you can’t take advantage of peoples’ generosity.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Thinkbiglittleone · 27/06/2022 18:44

I don't think it's unreasonable to be honest.

It would be irresponsible to actively be trying to bring a child into the world in these circumstances.

IMO, if he is not fazed by the debt now, he never will be, if he has been given the opportunity to help sort it out with offers of work, and declined them, then he would not be the man to be having kids with.

Once you are in debt it's soo hard to get out of it, especially on a low wage. Has he seen if there is any help available to him?
He has to do this himself?

I would end it before you get on too deep. If he sorts himself out great you can get back together, but you don't want him to drag you down with him, sorry I know that sounds horrible but we watched a neighbour spend everything she had every month bailing out her deadbeat boyfriend,she got pregnant, he didn't change, she is dreadfully unhappy now.

gabagoulghost · 27/06/2022 18:45

Does he live with you?

Yes, I'd stop paying for him/giving him money, and see how he reacts.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 27/06/2022 18:46

Stop giving him money and paying for everything
He is an adult and you are not his parent
This is not a new situation for him and I don't expect he will change
Regarding the future, watch his actions rather than listening to his words
I'm sorry there is your answer
You can do better so end it with him

uncomfortablydumb53 · 27/06/2022 18:47

Don't waste 10 years of your life

Cherrysoup · 27/06/2022 18:47

Does he live in your place? I’d be fuming that he’d turned down an extra £200 a week, how crazy!

Kettleofflash · 27/06/2022 18:51

Thanks all no not living together been together 15 months and the court case was 6 months ago so he’s got thousands to pay off.he’s in a bad way mentally so I feel guilty adding this to the stress. Even if money was good we wouldn’t be trying for a baby for years so no issue there with me possibly being left in the lurch I’m just thinking ahead to how it could be if there is still debt to pay by then. I don’t want to leave over money it makes me feel and sound incredibly shallow plus I love him and it was amazing before court began.

OP posts:
CalistoNoSolo · 27/06/2022 18:54

Sorry, but why the fuck do you want to be with such a loser? He has a shit ton of debt, is happy to sponge off you and you want kids with him? Just kick him into touch and work on your self esteem. He won't change.

Lindy2 · 27/06/2022 18:55

10 years isn't exactly a temporary situation. That's pretty long term.

Also, when he can't even pay yo feed himself then he shouldn't be turning down work for a further £200 a month.

I'm sorry but I would find not being able to be financially independent very unattractive. He's not in a position to be an equal partner nor a stable father. Unless you want to continue to bear all the financial responsibilities then perhaps it's time to move on.

CalistoNoSolo · 27/06/2022 18:55

And leaving over money makes you sound sensible not shallow!!

11Hawkins · 27/06/2022 18:58

10 years is long term. Why can't he get a better job or try and improve his cash flow? Has he given you a reason?

SleepingStandingUp · 27/06/2022 19:00

Has he been to see someone about his debt? How much is he earning? Presumably if he's bringing home say £100pk, his rent is £600, power is £200 and CT is £100 but his Court Costs are £200 he needs to speak to someone and appeal how much he's paying?

The fact he can't afford to live but isn't interested in earning more would be what annoyed me, same with if he's not tackling the fact he can't afford to live and just shoving life onto a credit card to sort later

Badger1970 · 27/06/2022 19:00

Do you have MUG tattooed on your forehead?

Stop funding him. He's not your responsibility. Put your purse away and see how he copes.

Iamnotamermaid · 27/06/2022 19:01

His friend offered him Sunday work twice a month for £200 which would help but he said he’d rather rest as it’s his only day off.

But he is happy taking this from you? Anyone 100% committed to getting out of debt would have taken this. Take a step back & be less generous - see what happens.

HollowTalk · 27/06/2022 19:02

Raise your standards. There are some lovely men out there. This man isn't one of them. He wants to sponge off you and he'll drag you down to his level if you let him.

Financial security is so important. You'll never have that while you're with him.

Bit the bullet and dump him.

Emmagr1 · 27/06/2022 19:05

Has he thought about bankruptcy or an IVA?

Kettleofflash · 27/06/2022 19:06

Thank you all for the wake up call

OP posts:
MadMadMadamMim · 27/06/2022 19:06

This one's not a keeper.

Move on. He's got thousands to pay off that will take him years, according to your post. Meanwhile you will miss out on the chance of an equal relationship, a home and a family.

resuwen · 27/06/2022 19:07

What did he do to lose this huge amount of money in a court case?
If he'd rather have a day off than continue to sponge off you then he is indeed a cocklodger and you should run for the hills. He respects his time more than yours. He's a loser.

EinsteinaGogo · 27/06/2022 19:13

What's the overall situation, OP?

Has he been going through court issues since you met?

If he already works 6 days a week and his job is manual, I can see why he might need to have a off rather than work 14 in a row, especially if his court issues have taken their toll.

He doesn't live with you.
Do you have a good time with him? Does he support you in non-financial ways?

It doesn't sound like a good basis for a long term relationship either way but I think some posters are being harsh.

EmilyBolton · 27/06/2022 19:14

What kind of court case makes him pay off a debt for “family issues” that’ll take 10 years? That doesn’t sound like he’s an innocent bystander in having this debt
a court has awarded costs and debt against him to someone else. Is this unpaid child maintenance? Is it a debt he took out with that family member he’s not repaid? Is it a family business that got into debt?
The debt issue hasn’t suddenly appeared with the court case and he was previously good with money. 🤷🏼‍♀️ The court has ordered him to pay someone for something he owes or for an offence he committed.
If you don’t know really an you need to find out quickly. But to me someone be Ordered to pay a large amount of money over 10 years by a court is a big red flag before you even get to the fact he is relying on you to pay his way.

EmilyBolton · 27/06/2022 19:16

Oh, and if the debt is court cost only…he is lacking judgement to go to court and rack up such big bills with a case he stood a good chance of loosing (and did). Just no.

RenegadeMatron · 27/06/2022 19:20

Honestly and kindly - you’re an absolute mug.

You’re throwing your life away on this man.

Is it/he worth that?