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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU or is DH controlling/tight?

67 replies

strobmrs989 · 06/08/2017 23:37

I'm a sahm of 4 dcs.. DH works very long hours in a stressful job - often away. He earns a very good 6 figure salary with, for the last few years, a 6 figure bonus. Last year, we bought a 1.1m house with no mortgage. I'd estimate that DH has at least 200k in savings. So yes, I do know I'm extremely fortunate and I know that many people are financially worse off.

I am given a monthly allowance for food shopping/day to day stuff/kids things/clubs etc. Anything else, new clothes, larger expenses, I have to ask for. For example, I need a new pair of winter boots/could we please have a day out this weekend/we need some new lamps for the bedroom etc... all of our savings are in DHs name, I don't even know where he banks. He is very well known for being 'frugal', we drive a pretty shit car, because he thinks they are an unnecessary expense, he often complains about how expensive everything is. I have to run every larger expense by him. I couldn't book concert tickets, or a show for the kids, unless I asked him first, because I literally don't have the money to do it. Every budget, car, holiday, birthdays etc is set by him and always ridiculously small!

I manage the dcs alone almost all of the time, we are without him far more often than we are with him, as his job comes before everything else. I do every school play/parents evening/sports day by myself. I feel that as we are in this financial position, we should enjoy life a little more, rather than constantly having to save for the future. If I try to talk to him about the situation, he generally gets cross and says that he spends a fortune and makes me feel ungrateful. I feel that I should know where our savings are (and have access to them!) and be consulted in the decision making process! AIBU in thinking I should have more control over my life?!?

OP posts:
Genghi · 06/08/2017 23:39

Yanbu. You are his wife not his employee, he needs to be more open to you. If not then make it clear you have no choice but to charge him going rate for your childcare and housekeeping services.

ImperialBlether · 06/08/2017 23:39

This is serious financial abuse. If you were to leave him, he would be forced to pay you child maintenance and give you enough to buy a house. Doesn't he realise this?

NorthumbrianGirl · 06/08/2017 23:40

You are right.

Littlecaf · 06/08/2017 23:43

I think you need a joint bank account. Imhe earns the money but you need it to read n his life & the kids. He should trust you to spend wisely.

arethereanyleftatall · 06/08/2017 23:43

How much is the monthly allowance?

Littlecaf · 06/08/2017 23:44

*run not read

DeanKoontz · 06/08/2017 23:45

Sorry, your husband is financially controlling, not just 'tight'.

Living With Abuse

ThierryEnnui · 06/08/2017 23:45

YANBU - that's controlling at best, financial abuse at worst.

pilotswife · 06/08/2017 23:47

Awful - that's financial abuse. He's a joy theif too.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 06/08/2017 23:48

Would. Not. Be. Happening.

Either you are married & bringing up your family together or you are not.

Lord & Master died out MANY years ago.

Joint account or lawyers. There's no bloody way I'd be treat like that, no way.

ImperialBlether · 06/08/2017 23:48

It doesn't matter what the allowance is. It's financial abuse.

ItsOutThere · 06/08/2017 23:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kittybiscuits · 06/08/2017 23:50

You are not 'extremely fortunate' at all. Your husband is. But you are very unfortunate because your OH is financially abusive. Is he verbally or emotionally abusive as well?

SuperRainbows · 06/08/2017 23:51

That sounds awful for you.

He doesn't treat you as an equal partner.

OfficerVanHalen · 06/08/2017 23:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Escargot82 · 06/08/2017 23:53

What happens if (sorry) he dies in an accident suddenly? You have no money, no access to money and you don't even know WHERE HE BANKS?

mygorgeousmilo · 06/08/2017 23:54

You're not fortunate, I'm afraid. You are being treated like staff!

cestlavielife · 06/08/2017 23:54

See a lawyer
Get informed
Copy some paper work bank account details
If you leave he will pay maintenance and you will have control over your life
Seems pointless having a million pound house if you can't buy boots or take kids out when you need to/want to.

What does he bring to your life?
What job could you do?
Tell him you are getting a job and he will have to fund the childcare.

He could easily pay a nanny and you could go out and earn your own money ? Why would he object ? Because you are far cheaper than a nanny?

ChristinaParsons · 06/08/2017 23:55

If you leave you will have at least £550k from the house. You are alone already. You are a single parent. His child maintenance will be enough for you to live on whilst you retrain. You and more importantly your children are worth more. I stuck with this until my children were grown up. They tell me they would rather have been poor than lived with me being unhappy

Efferlunt · 06/08/2017 23:56

Joint account. My position isn't that different from yours op. High eaming husband with similar Scrooge tendencies our holiday this year is a youth hostel for e.g. Not my idea of fun but I accept spending money is difficult for him. However I have total access to all our financial stuff and a joint account. I don't have to ask we just work within agreed limits.

ChristinaParsons · 06/08/2017 23:58

And that makes me feel like shit. Because I only stuck it for them. Money never buys happiness

Viviennemary · 06/08/2017 23:59

Does the pluses of being his wife outweigh the minuses. If they do then stay. If they don't then leave. that would be my advice. But on the whole I agree it's a very unsatisfactory situation for you.

joepommedeterre · 07/08/2017 00:01

Watching with interest

ChristinaParsons · 07/08/2017 00:05

A wife is an equal. Can't see anything equal here

strobmrs989 · 07/08/2017 00:05

He can be very kind or very.. unkind. Sometimes when he comes home he'll barely answer me if he is tired/stressed and can be very short tempered with dcs. Sometimes I feel like we're all happier when he is at work. But I feel as though I owe it to the dcs to pretend to be happy.. it would break their hearts if we separated and I'd never forgive myself.

When he is lovely it's wonderful, but when he isn't it's awful.

OP posts: