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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to not want to bail DH out financially - again.

339 replies

Yolo89 · 20/10/2019 19:02

DH was out of work for 10 months a few years back and he has never recovered fully financially. He got into huge debt and did not really keep me in the picture at all. We got a loan out on my account to help but I ended up paying it off using my inheritance as I was a SAHM. It still didn't help. Then one day the tax man turned up with a demand for £30, 000. I had no idea. I was devastated.

This situation has been somewhat sorted but still remains in debt and I have seen him trying to gain credit from all sorts of sources. He tuns out of money each money and has to rely on my inheritance (I am a studying at the moment so not working) and now has just asked me to see if I can take out another loan of £10, 000 which he will pay off. I am not sure if I could get a loan anyway but I am loathe to bail him out again as I'm pretty sure I will end up paying. I am so angry at him as he keeps me in the dark even though I tell him to tell me what is going on and then expects me to bail him out in some way. I feel he needs to sort this on his own. He has problems with depression and alcohol, and is dragging me down in so many ways. It is all a mess. What would you do? I am fragile so please go easy.

OP posts:
katewhinesalot · 21/10/2019 22:26

He's so very irresponsible but you've known this for ages and just buried your head in the sand. How you've allowed it to get this far I have no idea.
Were you aware that no rent was being paid? You don't seem too bothered that the LL lost out on 6 months of rent, although admittedly he should have checked. You only seem bothered when it directly affects you - aka your inheritance.

Just extricate yourself with as much damage limitation as you can.

Downwiththatsortofthing252 · 21/10/2019 23:14

He feels this is all my fault or a lot my fault. He is so delusional it is a joke. This is all he brings up and he yells. He can't admit he is the one with most of the problem. He just can't

Op this part stuck out to me, it reminded me so much of my own dad who is an alcoholic. He was such a great guy when he was in the pub, full of jokes, very popular. Then he'd come home, his mood would change (regret at spending so much?) and my mum would be called all sorts. She was a thief, had money hidden away, she looked funny at him the day before, anything at all. He was so full of anger, even though mum was angry he'd spent another weeks wages in the pub she couldn't match him.

To him she had to be the bad guy, the one who drove him to the pub, because if it wasn't her then he was the bad guy, and due to cognitive dissonance he couldn't let go of his nice, fun guy image that everyone else had of him. That was the image he had of himself.

Your husband probably has an image of himself still as a top notch director, and doesn't want to face up to the truth. Its so hard, but try to ignore the shit he says about his parents calling you crazy, that's bluster and trying to get you off track and stop talking about the thousands of pounds debt. That's too uncomfortable for him to think of. Stick to facts.

Yolo89 · 21/10/2019 23:27

Kate - no I was not aware the rent was not been paid.
I don't think people understand how separate he kept everything and how caged he is about discussing finances. it makes him so defensive.

It has taken me a long while to work out how bad he is with money. I have felt for a while that he just came across bad luck, which he has with contracts etc but the problem is he does then manage the situation well and doesn't tell me exactly where we are at, so I though we were ok. I trusted my DH. I don't think that I should be shot down, therefore as I trusted him, thought it was under control. Me - if I was in trouble I would tell him. But he bottles it up. SO I didn't really know.

Downwith - thank you. I am sorry to hear about your dad but it sounds very very similar. He is the life of the party then comes home and blames for everything. I like a tv show. I had a nap on Saturday. I talk and tell him all the time how I am feeling. Anything. He is blaming for anything to deflect off him. Anything. He was the one that called me crazy which makes me irate as he was the one getting so angry and when I say I don't want to argue (in front of children) I get told I don't want to face up to anything. His parents are obviously getting fed his one side and don't know all the awful stuff that has gone on. It is horrible. I thought they were supporting me but I feel no support.

OP posts:
Yolo89 · 21/10/2019 23:31

Kate - the six months rent in arrears was long before I received an inheritance.

OP posts:
katewhinesalot · 21/10/2019 23:34

The only option is to leave him then. He sounds awful. And downs explanation sounds plausible.

PearlsBeforeWine · 21/10/2019 23:37

OP I had a partner like this. He drained me dry in every way, only I worked he didn't. He was busy getting blotto and snorting gak while I was pulling 12 hour days.

I left him after 8 years and had a huge breakdown.

I should have left years before. You will be picking up after this fool for the rest of your life. His entitled attitude towards your money is awful and that will not change either. Sort yourself out and LEAVE

SpinneyHill · 21/10/2019 23:41

his counsellor think I put him down all the time

Counsellor is definitely NOT saying this to him. This is a lie.

Do you see him go into the counselling sessions?

He is ticking so many shithead boxes, have you ever given serious thought to leaving him?

Ce7913 · 21/10/2019 23:48

Everything your husband is saying is just what alcoholics and gamblers in the throes of their dysfunction say when someone theatens to turn off the tap.

The fact that he reports that his counsellor, friends, family etc. totally validate his behaviour and condemn yours shows that he is twisting your situation and manipulating others by maligning your character so as to shirk the blame and need for improvement that rightly belongs to him.

It proves that he is firmly invested in victimhood, and has no interest in changing - this is why he is not only lying to others about his problems, but to himself: he has no interest in self-accounting or taking personal responsibility of his mistakes and making changes.

He just wants you to keep the tap on.

He doesn't necessarily see that as dragging you and your child down - he's the victim of you, circumstances and the universe, afterall - but that doesn't change the fact that he inexorably will.

The thing is OP, he's just not ready to change. To be open, honest and accountable. He's just not. Maybe, awful as it is to imagine, he never will be.

And as hard and unfair as it is, there is absolutely nothing you can do that can 'make' him ready. That's just not how dysfunction, addiction or personal growth/maturing works.

What I can say is that for many people in his situation, losing their significant other/family can be the wake-up call needed for them to finally start the years-long process. Of course, many don't, and just find a new person to vampirise.

But that ifls not why you should leave (though it should somewhat ease your misplaced 'guilt' aboit leaving).

You should leave because you deserve openness and honesty.

Because you deserve someone whom you can rely upon, who protects you, your family and the life you build together by holding himself accountable to ethical and behavioural standards.

Because you deserve to live without a potential axe constantly hanging over your head by virtue of your legal and financial entanglement with him.

Because you deserve to live in relative freedom, instead of having your and your child's future and opportunities continually hobbled by a husband that recklessly drains your resources and limits your opportunities because he's far more interested in indulging his dysfunction than doing the hard work so that he can thrive with you.

Because you child deserves at least one parent that models healthy behaviour and relationships for them.

OP, how would you feel if your child was in a relationship with someone like your husband?

Ce7913 · 21/10/2019 23:56

Adding:

You should leave because if you don't, if you give him the inheritance, you will be stuck. That inheritance is Freedom. Options. Safety.

If he was ever actually going to do the hard work, he'll still do it after you leave him. Maybe you guys will have a chance after a year or two. If he doesn't, he never would have.

You can always go back once he's continually proven that he can be the husband you deserve and the father your child deserves.

If you stay and give up your nest egg and he can't be that man, you might never be able to get free, at least without significant financial and legal burdens.

Ce7913 · 21/10/2019 23:57

*not without significant financial and legal burdens, rather.

BlackCatSleeping · 21/10/2019 23:59

I think you are now presenting a very different picture of this not being a one-off situation and being more a pattern of behaviour.

I think you should separate and see how you feel.

Are you in the UK? How long have you lived there? It may not be easy to move away with the kids if they are considered habitually resident in your current country.

My advice would be to go back to the country your family is in and try and find work there with family support. Give up on the masters, give up on your husband.

TheABC · 22/10/2019 00:00

The more you type,the worse it gets, OP.

Right now, you need to:

  • do a credit check
  • protect your finances as much as you can. No joint accounts. Pay the essentials, such as council tax
  • Move out. He is not contributing anything to your life and frankly you would do better starting over without his gambling and drinking habits. He is already gaslighting and financially abusing you.

Even if he promises the earth, still move out for the year. Make him do the work to reform, first.

Ce7913 · 22/10/2019 00:22

*@OhioOhioOhio

If the money I leaves behind when I'm dead goes on some deceitful bastards debt, that he gas lights his partner about, I'd come back and haunt them.*

Right?!

How depressing, the thought of saving your whole life and leaving your nest egg to your daughter/grandaughter etc. in the hopes that it will improve her life, make it easier and give her opportunities and freedom that perhaps you didn't have only to have some selfish, irresponsible fraud of a man attach himself to her like a leech and drink and gamble it all away, leaving her with nothing at best and in extreme debt at worst.

Bleak a.f.

Motoko · 22/10/2019 01:07

Are you listening OP? What are you going to do?

Aquamarine1029 · 22/10/2019 02:14

My god, divorce this man before he totally destroys your life. Because he will.

OhioOhioOhio · 22/10/2019 09:08

Ce7913

I know. Some random parasite disguised as a person sucking the life out of one of my children and then slowly destroying any chance or energy they had to prosper.

Even the thought of it makes me wince.

Op Escape while you have the will to. Please.

trendingsomewhere · 22/10/2019 14:32

I might have missed it, but how much was the inheritance that you got?
If it was in the region £200k + then it would be fair enough to to use it to pay off the debt, a lot of the debt seems like it was incurred while you were both not working.

I'm not saying you should stay with your husband, but how and why you are in so much debt would be my first question.

(BTW I have been in a similar situation, but with a gambler - they never change and it's it's gambling then def LTB)

SusanneLinder · 22/10/2019 14:48

Personally, I'd pack my stuff and your DC's, book a flight back to your home country and get myself the fuck outta there. And file for divorce.
The man has no respect for you , the children or himself.

Motoko · 22/10/2019 15:29

OP can't take the children out of the country, without his permission.

Yolo89 · 22/10/2019 18:12

Hi sorry I have not been able to reply until today. Thank you for all your replies.

So last night was truly awful. DH came gome and he was very tired. I went to tue supermarket and came home and he was passed out on.the sofa amongst mess, nothing had been.done with the children..When I mentioned the mess he went on a full rant so angry yelling and twlling me his parents agree with him and it is all my fault as I pummel him into the ground wjen he is deppressed. Then he calles me crazy and I find out this mornning he had had a drink or two out of kmoney I gave him. He has no money and he spent the little i gave him on alcohol. I daid no more money. He has no remorse for what he has done.

Truly this is a lovely guy but his depression.has taken hold.

Then he wonders why I dont act cheery to him. Pummeling him.into the ground

OP posts:
geeraf · 22/10/2019 18:17

You are just saying the same things over and over again but not really getting anywhere. If he won't tell you about the debts and is still drinking, what is your plan? Have you signed up to a credit check for him? Have you spelled it out to him that if he doesn't tell you straight then you're going to leave, or aren't you going to do that?

I honestly cannot see him suddenly changing and giving you all the info you need so seriously, what are you going to do?

Yolo89 · 22/10/2019 18:48

He is depressed and his parents are coming to try and work out a plan though if they blame me,.I'll be livid. I am.trying to sit down with a professional and all of us.

I need to try and do this first.

I have to look into a credit check. I cant move out - it is financially impossible. My inheritance coupd be used but I couldnt rely on this for too long. It just wont be feasible.

Ans ai cant leave tbe country.

It would like to solve this as a nice guy was there. I am.talking through with my family tonight.

OP posts:
changedtempforprivacy · 22/10/2019 19:20

He is an alcoholic. Look up the progression of alcoholism. The periods of unemployment, the depression, the debt, he will become unemployable - sounds like he is getting there, then the health problems will start.
If you stay with him you will.lose all your inheritance, and get further and further in debt until you can take no more.
Leave now, with some of your money, while you still have the strength to do so. Seeing you put up with being financially and emotionally and verbally abused won't be good for your children. Then the physical abuse will start, but you will be so in debt by then you won't be able to leave.
Leave now. Put the money in trust for your kids and divorce him.
Do not enable him any longer.
Ignore posters who have said you should stick with him through better and worse. His alcoholism and gambling addiction won't improve, maybe losing his marriage will be his rock bottom, but it's not your responsibility.
Protect your kids. He won't prioritise them..you must .
Good luck Yolo. I have been where you are, and I am so glad to be free from the constant weight of carrying another adult. I'm now free to be a parent without that stress, and I support us well

NoSquirrels · 22/10/2019 20:00

Sweetheart, he's an alcoholic.

You cannot solve this. His parents cannot solve this.

He will keep drinking until he accepts that he is an alcoholic and can never drink again. The longer that takes, and the more he drinks, the less stable your life is for you AND FOR YOUR CHILDREN.

Please tell your parents: My DH is an alcoholic and the children and I need to leave him. Please can you help me?

You cannot fix an alcoholic.

Only he can make a change. And it doesn't look like he's going to.

He will take you down with him unless you leave.

NoSquirrels · 22/10/2019 20:04

I have to look into a credit check.
www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/check-free-credit-report/

I cant move out - it is financially impossible. My inheritance coupd be used but I couldnt rely on this for too long. It just wont be feasible.

You move out and use your inheritance for the deposit.
You apply for tax credits, housing benefit etc.
Speak to your university about options open to you.
Get a part-time job, anything at all.

You need to be self-sufficient.

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