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Finances in a non living together relationship

110 replies

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 13:16

I'm not sure how I feel about this.

For various reasons when we "stay in" it's mostly at my house. I like to cook. I also like to host (anyone) and always have drinks, biscuits cakes etc, that I am more tham happy to share with guests. As a child whenever anyone arrived at the house, my mother's first action would be to put the kettle on and get the cake tin out and I receive visitors in the same way. Always cook plenty for everyone etc.

However, most visitors are occasional and/or reciprocate. DP does occasionally buy a takeaway, but I doubt it matches my costs for having him here. That wouldn't bother me for any other friend, but with him I sometimes feel he should acknowledge he does very well out of the arrangement and hence, point 2.

When we go out, we either take turns or split the bill. If we're away, for example, we'll put everything on one card and settle up afterwards. He's always very quick to pay, needs no prompting but it is always exactly 50/50. However, he also has a big appetite, so he will almost always have ordered more food than me. Again, with other friends this wouldn't bother me at all, I can't be doing with paying for exactly what you had and am more than happy to split, on a swings and roundabouts basis, but this is always one-sided. I also think it wouldn't hurt if he offered to pay occasionally to acknowledge how often I "host" him. Otoh, I really don't want to "make" from him and I do want to pay my way, just for things to be right.

I'm better off than he is, but to a large extent that's due to the life choices we've made, he could earn more if he wanted to (or I could earn less if I lived like he does).

Anyway, this is alien to me, I'm a generous friend, but in most of my friendships, that's a moot point because they always pay their way too, someone who ordered an extra dessert would make sure they paid a bit extra when the bill is split etc.

So, it's bugging me, but I don't know if I'm unreasonable or not. He comes to mine mostly because I like it that way, I'd rather be here than at his and I cook because I want to, which probably saves me money despite cooking for him because he'd eat out (and I'd pay half) every day left to him. I'm not in any financial hardship and I'm always generous with guests, but he's here so frequently he doesn't feel like a guest iyswim.

Anyway, I'm not a person who keeps a close tally normally, but something about this is bugging me and I don't like that, but also not prepared to be taken advantage of. Is he?

What would you expect to happen if I tried to say I need our financial arrangements to reflect that he does very well out of spending so much time here? Should I?

OP posts:
Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 17:14

BirraMoretti · 02/04/2025 17:05

Including your kid/s is a generous thing to do and presumably your 'share' doesnt include food for anyone other than him. He's really not sounding like the bad guy in this - not that you are either but what is it you want? Are you doing that woman thing of just expecting him to know? We all do it but it must be bloody annoying.

I love the idea of the vending machine!

I don't think he a ad guy at all.

Maybe I've been on MN with all the talk of cocklodgers (a term I've never heard IRL!) too long, but I'm wary of been taken advantage of by a man, in a way that I'm not by friends. That in itself is interesting.

OP posts:
skyeisthelimit · 02/04/2025 17:24

I would definitely stop buying the things that only he has, and then he can buy them for himself if he wants them.

You could also ask him to provide the food for Friday nights every other week, so if he wants steak, he pays for it. You could point out the unfairness of you providing everything because its always your home.

Regarding meals, if it is very uneven, then point that out and say that you are finding it too expensive to eat out. Either each pay for what you have, or split it in a fairer ratio..

You are not being tight and stingy, that is the insult always thrown at anyone who is being taken advantage of and doesn't want to pay 50/50. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to pay out far more than you have actually eaten.

When I used to go and stay with my cousin for the weekend, I would pay for all the ingredients for a full fryup on the Sunday and I would also pay for all the snacks and take drinks with me too. I never expect to freeload off anyone

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 17:26

skyeisthelimit · 02/04/2025 17:24

I would definitely stop buying the things that only he has, and then he can buy them for himself if he wants them.

You could also ask him to provide the food for Friday nights every other week, so if he wants steak, he pays for it. You could point out the unfairness of you providing everything because its always your home.

Regarding meals, if it is very uneven, then point that out and say that you are finding it too expensive to eat out. Either each pay for what you have, or split it in a fairer ratio..

You are not being tight and stingy, that is the insult always thrown at anyone who is being taken advantage of and doesn't want to pay 50/50. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to pay out far more than you have actually eaten.

When I used to go and stay with my cousin for the weekend, I would pay for all the ingredients for a full fryup on the Sunday and I would also pay for all the snacks and take drinks with me too. I never expect to freeload off anyone

One of the reasons I started cooking is that eating out multiple times a week seems very extravagant (and unhealthy) to me. It's not that I can't afford it, but it's not what I'd choose to do with my money

OP posts:
MeridaBrave · 02/04/2025 17:33

Can you ask him for a contribution to the shopping costs? Or if you go out split according to what you ate?

Either way I am not sure I would raise it as you prefer being at yours, and you aren’t short, and he is travelling to yours so you don’t have the petrol costs.

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 17:36

I'm happy feeding him at home, I'm less happy covering a portion of his food in restaurants, but I don't want to get into itemised bills.

OP posts:
Semiramide · 02/04/2025 17:48

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 17:36

I'm happy feeding him at home, I'm less happy covering a portion of his food in restaurants, but I don't want to get into itemised bills.

Why not? Asking for separate bills seems like the easiest solution.

And maybe ask him to cook a meal at yours occasionally, because you are 'too tired' to cook. And/or ask him to bring a bottle of wine.

NB: does he clear the dishes and wash up when you've cooked for him?

Chasingsquirrels · 02/04/2025 17:50

In very similar circumstances, except DP almost always insists in paying when we go out and will transfer me cash if he is here for an extended period, like Christmas. He also sometimes pays for the shopping if we go together for a few things at the weekend and buys most alcohol (I don't drink, but visiting family might have some of it).

Mrsttcno1 · 02/04/2025 17:51

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 17:36

I'm happy feeding him at home, I'm less happy covering a portion of his food in restaurants, but I don't want to get into itemised bills.

There isn’t another option though? Without itemised bills how will you judge what’s fair? When I go out for lunch with someone I don’t look to see how much their meal/drink/snack was, I look for what I want and that’s all.

The reality is you do want itemised bills because you’ve already been mentally calculating for awhile. Unless you formally itemise bills, nobody knows who has paid what/too much/too little.

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 17:55

Mrsttcno1 · 02/04/2025 17:51

There isn’t another option though? Without itemised bills how will you judge what’s fair? When I go out for lunch with someone I don’t look to see how much their meal/drink/snack was, I look for what I want and that’s all.

The reality is you do want itemised bills because you’ve already been mentally calculating for awhile. Unless you formally itemise bills, nobody knows who has paid what/too much/too little.

Oh I don't know.

I don't want to know it's right, I want to feel it's right, in the manner of Chasingsquirrels, I guess.

OP posts:
Daisy12Maisie · 02/04/2025 17:56

I stay at my boyfriends a lot more than he stays at mine (long story as to why and I would prefer it the other way round).
I bring over boring but useful things. Eg tea bags, milk and some new teaspoons when his had disappeared. We don’t cook and eat together very much as I feed my teens at home before going round. So I may use more of his electric eg putting the kettle on but I feel I am contributing as I am the one doing all the running around and driving back and forth to see him. Just another perspective.
You could say I might make a roast at the weekend. Can you pick up the ingredients? I’ll text you what we need. See how that goes.

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 17:57

Part of it is my control freakery, I have just realised. I would hate it if he, or anyone else, shopped for a roast I was cooking 🤣

OP posts:
minnienono · 02/04/2025 18:01

Before I moved in with my now dh i would pick up a dinner on my way to his

Quitelikeit · 02/04/2025 18:13

You have articulated yourself very well here op.

I would send him a carefully worded WhatsApp outlining your thoughts on the matter.

See how he responds.

It really isn’t on expecting you to subsidise his sides and expensive food portions.

I mean you like treating the guy so I guess you don’t exactly mind giving him biscuits etc.

I think send him the message, see if he rectifies the situation and if not it would be a no from me. I cannot stand, greed, tightness or meanness!

Mind you there are others out there just like him as I have read about them on this forum 😂 I just can’t believe how they actually have no shame at all!

If you do not want to address it then I quite liked the suggestion of just pinging him over your portion of the bill and tip.

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 18:17

Quitelikeit · 02/04/2025 18:13

You have articulated yourself very well here op.

I would send him a carefully worded WhatsApp outlining your thoughts on the matter.

See how he responds.

It really isn’t on expecting you to subsidise his sides and expensive food portions.

I mean you like treating the guy so I guess you don’t exactly mind giving him biscuits etc.

I think send him the message, see if he rectifies the situation and if not it would be a no from me. I cannot stand, greed, tightness or meanness!

Mind you there are others out there just like him as I have read about them on this forum 😂 I just can’t believe how they actually have no shame at all!

If you do not want to address it then I quite liked the suggestion of just pinging him over your portion of the bill and tip.

I'll have the conversation, but I don't think any "difficult" conversation should be had by text?

OP posts:
Radra · 02/04/2025 18:17

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 15:38

That's a good point. As the financial better off partner, I don't begrudge him £1k over a year - somehow that "feels" less than £20pw.

I guess I'd like him to acknowledge he does well out of the arrangement and that every time he orders extra I'm paying for his food.

What would this look like for you,?

Do you want him to thank you every time?

I don't think this would feel better in practice, I think it would feel horribly awkward

If I were you, I would just ask him to provide the things you don't usually eat/drink

Gwenhwyfar · 02/04/2025 18:18

romdowa · 02/04/2025 13:31

When he's coming over I'd tell him that it's his turn to pick up the bits for dinner. Make it a 50/50 arrangement like it is with eating out.

Ok then when is it her turn to go to his?
Im the one who has to go to his all the time. The travel hassle is all on me, as is losing time to do housework in my own place. Why shouldn't he also have some effort to match mine?

Quitelikeit · 02/04/2025 18:19

I think that’s how I would do it as I would not want to embarrass the person - I’d want to give them time to think carefully in their response

He might even dump you 😂😂 as effectively you will cost him more money

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 18:22

Radra · 02/04/2025 18:17

What would this look like for you,?

Do you want him to thank you every time?

I don't think this would feel better in practice, I think it would feel horribly awkward

If I were you, I would just ask him to provide the things you don't usually eat/drink

No I don't want thanks. Maybe at heart I'm an old fashioned girl who still expects to be treated by her man. I don't think I am really, but it would be nice if he treated me sometimes. It doesn't need to be because I've cooked him dinner three times last week, just "because" but it would even things up a bit.

OP posts:
BirraMoretti · 02/04/2025 18:22

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 17:14

I don't think he a ad guy at all.

Maybe I've been on MN with all the talk of cocklodgers (a term I've never heard IRL!) too long, but I'm wary of been taken advantage of by a man, in a way that I'm not by friends. That in itself is interesting.

As I said I'm in a similar relationship and stuff I've read on here makes me question aspects of it much more than I would if I chatted to real life friends. Sometimes I think it's good that it helps me see things differently but often it feels like everyone is incredibly suspicious and over-dramatic.

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 18:24

BirraMoretti · 02/04/2025 18:22

As I said I'm in a similar relationship and stuff I've read on here makes me question aspects of it much more than I would if I chatted to real life friends. Sometimes I think it's good that it helps me see things differently but often it feels like everyone is incredibly suspicious and over-dramatic.

Yes, I think this is definitely an aspect and suspect I'm generally happier in life overall when I stay away from MN

OP posts:
Radra · 02/04/2025 18:25

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 18:22

No I don't want thanks. Maybe at heart I'm an old fashioned girl who still expects to be treated by her man. I don't think I am really, but it would be nice if he treated me sometimes. It doesn't need to be because I've cooked him dinner three times last week, just "because" but it would even things up a bit.

I feel like before you talk to him about this, you need to get clearer about what outcome you want.

It feels like you're not really sure.

You have previously asked him to bring a contribution but then didn't like that

Then you said you just want him to be more grateful

Then that you want to be treated more

Unless you figure out what would be better for you, you can't tell him

SpringHasSprungg · 02/04/2025 18:26

For the meals out he always pays on his card and you transfer your bit.

For breakfasts out you never pay and tell him you provided dinner so he can get breakfast.

Then go from there.

Quitelikeit · 02/04/2025 18:27

Well you might be happier when you stay away from MN but that still won’t stop this man from benefiting financially from you on a weekly basis.

Your gut is actually telling you that you are not happy with the set up

Thats what your gut is there for

BirraMoretti · 02/04/2025 18:28

Coasterspec · 02/04/2025 18:24

Yes, I think this is definitely an aspect and suspect I'm generally happier in life overall when I stay away from MN

Me too

I recognise the control freakery as well, it's hard to balance being a strong independent woman with sometimes wanting things to be a bit more - I dont know - old-fashioned?

You say you never want to live together, I'm much the same. Does he know that and is he OK with it?

FinallyHere · 02/04/2025 18:46

When I was in a roughly similar situation, the key was that we both recognised the inequality and that the person who been benefitting was the one to come up with the solution.

in your situation, it seems to me that you might be cooking at home about 50% of the time, so that would be your contribution and he pays when you go out together as his 50%

might need some adjustment if/when he is covering costs for your DC, or he might consider that only fair since you are covering all the utilities.

the important thing first is me is that he recognises and suggests how to make it more fair rather than you having to push him to do so. His response will tell you a lot about him as a person.

Hope it goes well.