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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that my sister is a penny pincher?

38 replies

FunnysInLaJardin · 22/08/2012 22:40

we went out last night for dinner. There was 8 of us inc my DC who are 2&6 and my sister, BIL, DN and BF. It was DN's birthday. We left early with the DC and my sister agreed to sort the bill and let me know how much later.

Today I got a text to say our share was £65 of a bill of £140. The DC's food was £11. On that basis as 2 adults DH and I have paid £54 of the bill which is over a one third share.

I will pay and won't mention it to her but it is typical that instead of deducting the DC food and splitting it 3 ways, we have somehow ended up paying £10 more than the others.

She is a penny pinching git I feel and am a tad irritated by it.

OP posts:
Icelollycraving · 22/08/2012 22:46

Yabu.

Original poster
FunnysInLaJardin · 22/08/2012 22:48

I know I am. It's a tenner at the most but it has irritated me. I knew that when it came to splitting the bill it wouldn't be in our favour. i.e. she will account for the fact she and BIL didn't have any wine but won't account for the fact that our DC had meals costing half of the adults food.

I need a holidayGrin

OP posts:
dontcallmehon · 22/08/2012 22:51

YANBU, but I don't think you can challenge her about it without coming across as petty.

Original poster
FunnysInLaJardin · 22/08/2012 22:55

quite don't there is no way I would bring it up, but why did she not just say your share is £50. that way we would have felt charitable and not be serving baked potatoes when they all come for dinner on Friday

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 22/08/2012 22:55

So how was the bill worked out then?

BaronVonAwesome · 22/08/2012 22:59

Can you send her a jokey text back, something like 'Haha, are your maths skills going in your old age? How did you work that one out? I make it to be x amount because of y.'

VonHerrBurton · 22/08/2012 23:01

For the sake of a tenner, YABU.

squoosh · 22/08/2012 23:01

Yanbu but you'll have to cough up just to prove you aren't as miserly as her.

iscream · 22/08/2012 23:01

So, 2 sets of parents, 4 children?
Only 2 if the adults bought wine.
Sounds about right to me.

iscream · 22/08/2012 23:03

Didn't her dc eat food half the price too? Or are your dn and bf adults?

Original poster
FunnysInLaJardin · 22/08/2012 23:04

see Vivienne no matter how I work it I can't work out how she got to that figure. Jokey texts are a no, she will take offence.

And I really know IABU and it's only a tenner, I just wish she could have surprised me. She will always ensure she isn't out of pocket

OP posts:
JeezyPeeps · 22/08/2012 23:05

So, 4 people paid £65

The other 4 paid £75

Difference = £10

Your kids meals were about £10 cheaper. You paid about £10 less.

Original poster
FunnysInLaJardin · 22/08/2012 23:05

no DN and BF are in their 20's and ate and drank as adults. So twas 6 adults and 2 children. If it had been 4 adults and 4 dc that would be fine

OP posts:
squoosh · 22/08/2012 23:06

Had a rethink. As she's your sister you don't need to worry about upset feelings surely? It's the sibling law that you can be blunt as you want with brothers and sisters. Ask her outright.

Original poster
FunnysInLaJardin · 22/08/2012 23:09

OK so food for 6 adults = £70. Drink for 6 adults = £54. Food for dc = £11. We should have paid about £54 and somehow that has been rounded up to £65.

BUT it is only a tenner and I feel that IABU and petty, so mebeez fairs fair.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 22/08/2012 23:11

If she is a known penny pincher and always makes sure she comes out best that would annoy me. I'd give her what you think you owe and say I think you've made a mistake. And next time pay for your own. I don't mind splitting when it's give and take but not when people always make sure they pay less. In fact I don't think I could be bothered going out for meals with them. But it's difficult when it's family.

JeezyPeeps · 22/08/2012 23:11

Did you not let your dc drink anything?

Original poster
FunnysInLaJardin · 22/08/2012 23:11

squoosh my sister is no ordinary sister. Eggshells etc I will bitch to my older sister when she comes over next weekend! Complicated issues ref mental health and oh Funnys always lands on her feet/ she can afford it makes it a no go area.

OP posts:
Original poster
FunnysInLaJardin · 22/08/2012 23:12

jeezy they had tap water since tis what they always ask for

OP posts:
Trebuchet · 22/08/2012 23:14

I know theres nowt you can do really is there except maybe try to avoid situations where you go out to eat with her. I always have this as the only non drinker I know. Don't mind splitting bills usually but when there've been bottles of wine, and g and t's, and irish coffees ect I get a bit irate!

BackforGood · 22/08/2012 23:14

Well, as you presumably knew all this before you went out, then why not leave your share of the bill with them, before you left ? Confused

HeathRobinson · 22/08/2012 23:16

But if you know she's like that, why not pay your share before you left? Confused

HeathRobinson · 22/08/2012 23:16

Oh, x-post.

PlaguegroupGermnastics · 22/08/2012 23:17

If sis and BIL didn't have any wine then wouldn't that equal the difference with the DC meals anyway?

JeezyPeeps · 22/08/2012 23:17

Nah, sounds like YANBU. Next time you should leave money with them for thd rough cost of your meals/drinks plus tip, and let them sort the rest out.

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