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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:
GnotherGnu · 29/04/2018 14:34

If he thinks he's going to get 50-50 access to newborn twins whilst holding down a full time job, he's deluding himself.

Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2018 14:35

Tell him its over, chuck him out of your home. Is he paying any money towards bills whilst living with your? Bet not! Please keep your home and chuck him out.

suzy2b · 29/04/2018 14:35

Being self employed he can hide his money and make out he's hardly earning have seen it many times

Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2018 14:37

So he will have have £6, 500 in the bank while you have £1.60 he is happy with that! No NO No

Plantlover · 29/04/2018 14:41

Gnother

He has the money to pay for legal help. He could get 50/50. He can pay for childcare while he works.

sonjadog · 29/04/2018 14:42

He is not just controlling, he is abusive. What he is suggesting is financial abuse. Do not move in with him, do not merge your finances with his. The threat to go for 50-50 is an empty threat to frighten you into doing what he wants. Do you think he is going to give up his high earning job to look after newborn twins?

therealposieparker · 29/04/2018 14:42

He isn't a nice person, a nice person wouldn't do this.

This won't change. He has shown you what he thinks of you. You must act now.

VileyRose · 29/04/2018 14:43

He sounds awful. :( I hope you manage to sort it

troodiedoo · 29/04/2018 14:45

What a monster. Hope you have real life support to help you OP. Please start making plans to end this relationship. Flowers

Zaphodsotherhead · 29/04/2018 14:45

Have you asked him what exactly he thinks you are going to do for money? What about the masses of sanpro you will need after the babies arrive? Where is that going to come from, to say nothing of any other personal needs you might have. Does he expect you to 'ask for the money', perhaps? Like asking for extra pocket money?

I think he has a very skewed idea about money and how it works. He's going to get a hell of a wake up call with newborn twins in the house...

YourHandInMyHand · 29/04/2018 14:45

Oh Sad you poor thing.

This is not how someone who loves a person acts. PLEASE DO NOT MOVE!!! Keep your house in your name and ask him to move back out.

Look into local sources of help eg women's aid, financial and emotional control are abusive behaviours. He is not a nice man, he is an abusive arsehole. Look at local help like Home Start, children's centres, family groups etc. You will be far better supported both emotionally and financially as a single mum.

Does he have any other children?? He will not get 50/50 custody of new born twins whilst working full time. He is saying this to put fear into you, when you are about to give birth. What a tool. You are growing twins inside of you and he wouldn't let you buy some chicken in the food shopping?!

colditz · 29/04/2018 14:46

He's either deluded or her thinks you're an idiot.

he is not having 50/50 residency of newborn twins

he can and probably will hide his money if he's self employed so if you can see his bank account on any device take a photo so you can prove he has hidden his income when you (inevitably) have to apply for CSA.

There is nothing to recommend this man. Tell him to leave and reapply for your benefits. He's abusive. He IS. He is financially abusive. What about when your other child needs something? What happens when YOU need something? Is it just a case of "fuck you, I'll provide for my kid and they can watch their brother starve"?

Twillow · 29/04/2018 14:46

It's not normal. It's unkind, selfish and sounds like he has a massive issue here. He may be kind in other areas but this will make your life a misery - let's face it, if you can't even grab a coffee out then it already is.
What happens when you stand up to it? Is there an argument or do you back down whenever he says no we can't have that chicken etc?

CheggarsPlaysPlop · 29/04/2018 14:47

Listen very carefully: I am now in an absolutely dire position because my STBX partner was EXACTLY like yours. All he cares about is money. He is going for 50/50 of our kids (had legal advice - unlikely he'll get it and he'll still have to pay maintenance as he earns way more than me). 15 years of tightwaddery whilst he has squirrelled away a fortune and now owns several properties. How DARE he be dictating/threatening you with the 'I'll get 50/50 of the kids' before they are even born. Either he marries you now to show how committed to you he is (quick registry office job) or you get out, now. Believe me - it'll get worse. Can you insist that you go on the deeds of the house (if you decide to stay with him)? At least then you will be entitled to stay there and own half of it. Where do these entitled, spoiled, tightfisted arses get off? So angry on your behalf

mishfish · 29/04/2018 14:48

He is a nice person otherwise

He really isn’t OP. He is awful. It’ll get worse once the babies are born. Ignore what he says about 50/50. He doesn’t want them 50/0 and besides, how will he work if he has the children half the time?

Please ditch him

CocoaGin · 29/04/2018 14:48

He is a nice person

You are so so wrong. You are due to give birth and he's keeping you short of money. There is nothing remotely nice about him whatsoever and you've been very naive having children with such a tight arse. Welcome to the next 18 years of your life - fighting him for every penny, together or not.

CheggarsPlaysPlop · 29/04/2018 14:50

Just re-read...so you have your own place!? Brilliant! Kick him out. Reinstate your benefits and get him to give you some cash via the CSA. They will find out exactly how much the tight fucker earns. DO NOT move 200 miles away and be entirely dependent on him. I know it's a very difficult thing to think about, especially when about to give birth to twins (how can he be so MEAN?)

Soundsgood · 29/04/2018 14:51

I'm not sure if I'm missing something here, but where does his other £4500 go every month?

TERFragetteCity · 29/04/2018 14:52

He has said if we split, then he will not be paying child support as he will be going for 50:50-joint access.

What, he is going to rip two babies out of your arms and take them 200 miles away? No chance.

Tell him to fuck right off. This is not a nice man.

The80sweregreat · 29/04/2018 14:52

Your going to be even more controlled when you have the twins i'm afraid as you will have three children and a partner being really mean with cash . how old is your first child? do they get on at all? is he willing to pay out money for things he or she needs? how will he feel when the babies are born and all the things they will need for years and years?
He isn't letting you be a person in your own right and keeping you very short of the one thing we all need to survive, money. this isnt right at all. i hope some people can give you some advice, but it doesnt sound very good.

The80sweregreat · 29/04/2018 14:54

PS, you know how much he earns and his outgoings - keep a statement ( or find one if when he isnt around ) and photocopy it, you may need it to prove he earns what he does have in the accounts. he might try to move things about to keep you out of the loop.

Runawaycat · 29/04/2018 14:58

Oh my god, no. Please please get this man out of your house. He will not get 50/50. He sounds absolutely awful. Our household income is miniscule compared to yours, and both DH and I have far more money to fritter away if we please. This is just horrible, I really feel for you, but please get rid

MereDintofPandiculation · 29/04/2018 14:59

This is not normal, and it would be harmful to your twins to be brought up thinking it was.

The80sweregreat · 29/04/2018 15:01

Was your head turned a bit by his income rather than him? or was he really pleasant and lovely - at first - and this is all new now your pregnant? you have to be true to yourself here as you sound so miserable and you will be short of money forever as it sounds like he will not change. was he married before?

lifebegins50 · 29/04/2018 15:05

Please take the advice here and do not move - for yourself and your children.
Be firm, this isn't working for you. Ask him for an essential fund now as crazy you have no money.

He cannot control if you want to buy something for £3, he has to make up a budget so that you can have reasonable personal spend...you will be looking after his children for NOTHING!

Type into the CMS calculator what he will have to pay for 2 children reinstate your benefits and be hard nosed about it, for your children's sake.

Look up the financial control articles on women's aid site - your example is textbook financial control.
Ex did something very similar on the finances when dc born, without the threat of taking dc away. It got better financially however I stupidly moved to help his career and then his behaviour ramped up and now I have left he as thrown everything at me including residence of the dc, which is not likely to happen. Please don't let him threaten you.

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