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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this controlling or normal?

343 replies

Contwixt · 29/04/2018 13:51

Hi,

I will try not to drip feed. I am not sure if this is relevant to AIBU section - posting mostly for traffic.

I have been in a long term relationship with my partner for 4 years. We have been having separate houses and finances. I was intending to move into his house in August (some 200 miles away). As soon as I move in, I will not be entitled to any form help, I will have no financial means for myself unless I get a job.

I am disabled and I have a child from a previous relationship. I am due to have my twins with my current partner in a matter of days...

He has briefly moved in to mine (he is able to work all over the country so has a job here) due to the impending birth. Therefore, I have done things by the book and informed relevant people and my money has stopped.

The issue is that I’m not sure if he is extremely controlling money wise or if it’s normal? Though he is self employed - he is on a six figure salary, after tax, pension NI etc etc. he comes home with just over £6000 a month. bills are roughly £1500 a month all in.

His plan of action is to cover all bills, food shop, essentials such as nappies, milk and uniforms etc. But will not be giving me money personally. He has said that I don’t need it because everything will be covered.

Since coming up, he is in sole control of the food shop already (we can only have items if they are in the sale/reduced. If I wanted something that wasn’t discounted, then I would be told to put it back. For example, I wanted some chicken and as it was £3 odd, I had to put it back). He regularly checks my eBay account to see if I have bought anything. He does not want a joint bank card - fair enough, his choice. I suppose it is his money after all. I have been told that I am not allowed to buy anymore baby items because he said I have too much (I actually don’t, think he will be surprised when they arrive!).

Plus lots more - I’ll be here all day.

As it stands, I’ve got £1.60 in my account and have for weeks. In his account, he has £3000 and due another £3500 in the next few days. Plus he has an over draft of £1000.

I am not sure if this is normal. I have been on my own and have my own finances. I of course will try look for a job but doubt anywhere will take me on being 9 months pregnant now.. and being disabled also makes things harder. I am just finding it really degrading not having any money in my own account. I would love to have a coffee at Starbucks tomorrow but can’t go. I would love to book in for my hair to be done just before birth but I can’t afford it. I feel depressed. If this is the norm then I suppose I will be better off being a single parent. I honestly don’t know if this is how couples living together work as I’ve been on my own really for years and had my own finances.

OP posts:
AtrociousCircumstance · 29/04/2018 13:52

Not normal. Controlling.

lanbro · 29/04/2018 13:53

Not normal, run for the hills

NeedForBlossom · 29/04/2018 13:54

Fuck that. Kick him out, the tight sod Hmm

PatriciaHolm · 29/04/2018 13:55

Awful. Very controlling. How are you supposed to live? Never have any new clothes, shoes, haircuts?

He sounds terrible.

Stillblundering · 29/04/2018 13:55

I think he's being a bit mean. I'm all for equality but if he categorically knows you have no savings or spending money he must know you're vulnerable and trapped?

Reaa · 29/04/2018 13:55

Are you still claiming any disability benefits? I don't think PIP/DLA stops just because a partner moves in.

He's being very financially abusive, could you ask him to move back out and just to see you a few times a week?

KatnissMellark · 29/04/2018 13:57

Absolutely not normal.

BettyBaggins · 29/04/2018 13:57

Not normal. What would he say if you want a haircut? Is the house yours or rented? Child benefit or does he earn too much?

ShinyShooney · 29/04/2018 13:59

Why did you decide to have more children when you have no means of supporting them or yourself?

BuntyII · 29/04/2018 13:59

Kick him out, get your benefits back, he's a fucking financially abusive tightwad prick

AllStar14 · 29/04/2018 14:00

Not normal in the slightest. Send him back to his own house and be single. You'd be better off in many ways, not just financially!

BuntyII · 29/04/2018 14:00

Really @ShinyShooney Hmm

supersop60 · 29/04/2018 14:00

no no no. Not normal. Get advice, or move him out. PLEASE!!!!

Contwixt · 29/04/2018 14:01

Hi

He earns far too much for child benefit. Not entitled to anything really which is fair enough as he is on a lot. And I suppose the welfare system is for people who are on a low income.

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 29/04/2018 14:01

Oh God! NO! No no no no no!!!

Do NOT move in with this man! If possible, make him leave now and get whatever benefits you were getting back. Seek support for your impending birth elsewhere.

Dump him. He's a controlling bastard and you will sup sorrow with a long spoon if you stay with him.

He'll never marry you. All finances will stay in his name and you will have nothing when you are together and be left with nothing when it all inevitably goes to shit.

BornToSucceed · 29/04/2018 14:02

How do you think other SAHM manage to get coffees and haircuts?

No this is not normal, and he is an arsehole

19lottie82 · 29/04/2018 14:02

Gosh. DO NOT move 200 miles to live with this guy. Stay where you are are file the child maintenance claim as soon as your twins are born.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 29/04/2018 14:02

Terrible. I can understand disagreements about how much to buy/spend on the children. I would expect him to cover some personal spending for you given that you can’t work because you’re pregnant with his child. One trip to the supermarket with him would have ended it for me.

Angie169 · 29/04/2018 14:04

This is very controlling , I would not consider a relationship like that .
If he earns enough money to pay all the bills and food then let him but you need your own cash too.
Can you claim any benefits due to your disability or DC , if you can make sure they get paid into your own bank account .

But I would get out of a relationship like that right now as I think he will become more and more controlling .
How does he feel about you seeing your friends / family ? If he is not stopping you from seeing them now I recon he will do after you have lived together for a short time .

Contwixt · 29/04/2018 14:04

How lovely ShinyShooney.

Because I am still in a relationship with him, actually engaged, and he is on a amazing wage. Enough to provide for children. I never imagined he would turn out like this. The main question of my situation is MYSELF not having money (for instance, buying a coffee, book, clothes etc) not my children who he is/will be providing for.

OP posts:
Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2018 14:05

Yes it is incredibly controlling and financially abusive, you have £1.60 in your bank where he has £3000, that is not equal and not fair. He sounds very tight with it as well, no no stay where you are, cut him dead and claim CSA and all the benefits you can to help you once twins are born.

Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2018 14:07

He is making sure you are in a very vulnerable and weak position, you should be having access to that £3500 or he should be giving you personal money. please do not marry him, move in with him, run for the hills, this is not a loving and fair relationship.

user1493413286 · 29/04/2018 14:08

That’s incredibly controlling and not a way to live. Your entire life and every action will be dictated by him as that’s what money does.
I would put a stop to the move and if you want to stay together maintain separate houses and finances while you really consider his general behaviour.
If you ever want to leave him you will find it incredibly difficult without your own money and he knows that (possibly is doing this on purpose) and once you’ve moved properly in together he can treat you how he likes knowing you can’t leave.
Also consider that this type of behaviour is often the first steps towards physical abuse.
By moving you’re also moving away from your support network and you’d have no money to go anywhere. If he took your phone away you’d have no money to get another one and would be totally stuck.
This rings so many alarm bells.

jedenfalls · 29/04/2018 14:09

Look at it this way.

How would you feel if you had 3k in the bank and your partner couldn’t even afford a coffee in Costa?

What would YOU do?

possumgoddess · 29/04/2018 14:10

What Buntyll said. Kick him out and get your benefits back. If he cares he will find himself somewhere to stay nearby so that he can support you with the birth of the twins and afterwards and then you can have a proper conversation about finances ( and make sure he is on the birth certificates anyway so that you can get child maintenance - other people will be able to give you more and better information about that than me). If he doesn't care he won't stick around and at least you will know where you stand. DO NOT move in with him without having had a proper agreement about finances and knowing that it will work for you.