Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Soundsgood · 29/04/2018 18:06

If you earnt £8000 in a month, you would take home £5300.
£2,230.00 Tax
£462.00 N.Insurance

I think

Cazz10 · 29/04/2018 18:08

Definitely not normal whatsoever.. it looks like you really have no life with him the way I see it you would probably be better of on your own

Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2018 18:09

I second what somebody else has said, mean with money, mean with love. I am glad you are seeing the wood from the trees now, and are making steps to be financially independent of him.

Animalsoffarthingwood · 29/04/2018 18:09

Fucking hell this is shocking.

It's not normal, in no way shape or form. Run for your life.

Also him planning how he won't support you if you split = not the words of a nice person.

In the real world you should have some sort of joint card or account, and if he thinks you're spending too much then you should have an adult conversation about it.

Contwixt · 29/04/2018 18:09

He just says figures. I have no access to pay slips or his bank account. Occasionally, like today, I asked him how much he has. I do not have access to any of his accounts.
I have to ask. But he also pays a pension but not sure how much he pays for that monthly.
I have tried to tell him that he needs to leave and he is just begging me to consider and apologised for upsetting me and that he just wanted to make sure that he has enough money for food and nappies. But I know I can’t live like this.

OP posts:
evergreen7 · 29/04/2018 18:10

Op please PLEASE get this man out of your house before you give birth!

Ask your mother for support.
You will be vulnerable and recovering after your babies are here and he can use this as another opportunity to break you down and establish his control even further.
And if he does try for 50:50 in your position I would do my best to try EBF as much/as long as possible (if you can of course don't put too much pressure on yourself it's though with 2).

Take steps now before you become a modern day slave to a tight fisted, selfish, disgusting excuse of a man.

Can you maybe make an appointment with your HV and go when he's at work without telling him so you can talk to her?

The80sweregreat · 29/04/2018 18:10

Do not listen to him beg.

BigPinkBall · 29/04/2018 18:10

Be strong op, when someone shows you who they believe them.

Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2018 18:11

Keep your ground op, and ask him to leave, be firm be strong. His issues are not your responsibility.

BigPinkBall · 29/04/2018 18:11

*are

bsbabas · 29/04/2018 18:12

Hes insane tell him to pack a bag and leave now.

Contwixt · 29/04/2018 18:12

I don’t actually spend much.
As previously said, I have bipolar disorder and in the past when I have been poorly I have borrowed (my own) money out and never got it back from numerous people. I don’t go out and spend fortune on items. The last time I bought a foundation was 6 months ago... and that was a high street brand...

He says I spend too much (my own money) on the twins :- pram, clothes, bottles, etc etc. and spent too much on my daughters clothes as she went up a size. I live in bobbled maternity leggings and primark vests. The most extravagant thing I bought last year was a £80 coat from river island. That’s about it really.

OP posts:
sonjadog · 29/04/2018 18:13

Get him out. He isn´t frugal, he isn´t just worried about taxes or whatever. His childhood may be the reason why he behaves this way but it in no way excuses it. He is financially abusive and you must not give him that power over you.

Animalsoffarthingwood · 29/04/2018 18:15

Reading is I wouldn't even be surprised if he's lying about his job and salary.

Are you 100% certain that everything he tells you is true?

If he really earns what he claims to and never spends anything he must have hundreds of thousands saved up.

Either way just going by what you say about the cleaning get rid of him.

The80sweregreat · 29/04/2018 18:16

He is telling you that you spend too much of your own money? Just awful. Buying things for a new baby ( babies in your case) is what people do! Does he think they don’t need things?

expatinscotland · 29/04/2018 18:17

'I have tried to tell him that he needs to leave and he is just begging me to consider and apologised for upsetting me and that he just wanted to make sure that he has enough money for food and nappies. But I know I can’t live like this.

He's full of shit. BULLSHIT he's on the breadline and is 'being frugal' to afford food and nappies.

He is financially abusive.

Tell him again, 'YOU NEED TO LEAVE today as I'm going back on benefits.' He has plenty of money to go somewhere else, he just doesn't want to spend it. 'You are leaving today as I'm going back on benefits.'

Repeat repeat repeat. I'd contact your midwife asap and explain the situation.

Contwixt · 29/04/2018 18:17

He wants me to EBF. So much so that he is very vocal regarding myself not going back on medication (not safe to bf and have meds). Didn’t really understood why, he says it’s because of the benefits but really, I think it’s probably the cost of double formula.

OP posts:
Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2018 18:19

I would take advantage of your mum being there and supporting you, to kick him out, he sounds like a deeply unpleasant person.

tallwivglasses · 29/04/2018 18:19

I'm worried about you, OP. And I really fucking hate this man. I hope your mum can help you stand up to him.

Contwixt · 29/04/2018 18:19

Yes. 100% certain about his job and salary just don’t know approx figure as not great working out tax, ni, pension etc. But 1000000% about his job, hourly rate etc. Just not comfortable saying what job he does as don’t really want to be identified.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 29/04/2018 18:22

'He says I spend too much (my own money) on the twins :- pram, clothes, bottles, etc etc. and spent too much on my daughters clothes as she went up a size. I live in bobbled maternity leggings and primark vests. The most extravagant thing I bought last year was a £80 coat from river island. That’s about it really.'

You do NOT have to justify to anyone how you spend your own money and it's none of his fucking business.

Tell him again, 'You need to leave by tomorrow because I'm going back on benefits.' And then you do it. Because this is also affecting your daughter and so it cannot continue.

He is lying about his income, about being worried about taxes, etc etc etc.

Soundsgood · 29/04/2018 18:22

There are 100s of salary calculators online. I use one when I'm thinking of applying for a new job, it works out hourly rate, weekly, monthly, yearly take home pay in seconds.

The80sweregreat · 29/04/2018 18:22

Nothing more to say but I just hope your mum sees through his behaviour and maybe she will see him off for you as it sounds as if he won’t listen to you and work his way around you as he has probably done since you met him. Classic red flags.
He wants you to breastfeed as it is cheaper - what happens if you can’t? Bf two with your health worried and your own dd will be gruelling / he won’t help you. Just criticise I imagine.

Rawhh · 29/04/2018 18:23

That's very controlling.

My parents and most couples I know with kids all money goes in one pot and your decide as a couple how to spend it.

Me and DP do that and we are childless.

Aeroflotgirl · 29/04/2018 18:23

He wants you to EBF because Mr Stingy does not want to pay for formula that's why!