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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I controlling?

19 replies

fairynick · 26/05/2021 13:17

There is a history of DP being bad with money. When he was younger he messed up and had quite a few debts, but worked hard and cleared them.
His parent were also financially abusive, they were also terrible with money and had been bankrupt before. They spend DPs inheritance from his granddad, and had weird habits concerning money.
When he turned 18 mother would charge him £50 rent one week, £75 the next then £100 the week after, depending on how she felt. This meant that DP never knew where he was up to, and felt taken advantage of.
Now that DP is straight with money we have both began saving for a house and both have jel to buy isas. A few weeks ago, I asked how much was in his out of curiosity, and he told me an amount.
I got paid today and was moving some money into my savings, when I asked him again. He told me the same amount. But he’d also been telling me he’d been putting money in every week, so it didn’t add up.
I confronted him about this and he said I need to come clean. He then goes on to tell me how he withdrew £500 from his isa and gave it to his mother, because she was moving house and it cost a lot. She had the money to move, but would’ve been a bit skint this month and with the pubs reopening etc wouldn’t be fair. It isn’t a loan, he gave her the money.
She also claims that he owes her an amount of money, let’s say £2000, from some previous trouble he got into. He reckons that it is only £1000, but rather than a confrontation is going to pay her the full amount back.
Am I missing something, or is this all insane? I don’t want to come across as financially controlling, because his parents always have been, but at the same time I don’t feel like I can trust him to consistently save money when he is letting his family walk all over him.
There have been talks of getting engaged. Today I told him that when I think of what I want in a husband, I think of someone who is able to take care of themselves and their wife and their family. And currently I don’t see that in you.
He’s upset that he lied to me, and he agrees that his family are walking all over him. At the same time, I don’t think he is going to ask for the money back, or confront about the other debt.
He is perfect in every other way, I should add. No other problems in our relationship at all, but it’s all just really exhausting.

OP posts:
Everyday21 · 26/05/2021 13:21

You're not being controlling, I think you're sensible.

Why would he just give his mum £500? Why not knock it off the debt? Theres weird dynamics there

Yellow85 · 26/05/2021 13:26

I don’t think you are being unreasonable to chalk the £500 off the existing debt. But there is still time for him to do that. Maybe have a calm conversation with him about it and agree how he takes it forward.

I do think it’s quite hurtful to say you don’t see what you want in a husband in him. Perhaps take some time to reiterate what you meant there as I assume you didn’t mean it how it’s come across.

ComtesseDeSpair · 26/05/2021 13:30

Build your own future, buy your own house, let him do as he pleases with his money. It’s really the only way when you have mismatching ambitions and approaches to money.

I don’t think it’s any adult’s place to dictate what another adult should do with their earnings, and I’d be pretty put out if DP started telling me that I needed to make him my financial priority and must stop giving what he thought of as “our” money to the people I give money to (goddaughters) when the money I give is earned by me and nothing the fuck to do with him. You can indicate that you’d like to buy a home and will be taking steps to do that, and he’s welcome to join you if he’d like to. If he doesn’t want to do that, fine, you can do it off your own steam.

kitkatsky · 26/05/2021 13:30

Is he definitely being honest? Lots of people who are rubbish with money are also great liars. I'm not saying he is, but that's my experience of these kinds of men

fairynick · 26/05/2021 13:35

@ComtesseDeSpair this is exactly what I’m worrying about, that I’m being just as bad and controlling as his parents have been. I don’t want to dictate to him how he spends his money, at the same time it’s hard to stand by and watch someone being taken advantage of, so I never know how much I can say to him.

I wish I could buy a house on my own, but with my wage no chance!

OP posts:
fairynick · 26/05/2021 13:36

@kitkatsky he has lied a few times over our five year relationship, and is really bad at it. The truth usually comes out soon enough. I feel like this is the truth, and he has been caught out again.
Usually when he lies, it isn’t necessarily something he has done bad. But more something he has done which he is ashamed of so doesn’t want me knowing.

OP posts:
1Morewineplease · 26/05/2021 13:47

You really shouldn't be buying a property together if you're not able to trust your partner, particularly if the lack of trust involves money.

GabriellaMontez · 26/05/2021 13:52

I would be very wary of sharing a financial responsibility with a man who lies about money (and other things).

I dont think you're being controlling or like his parents.

If you're buying a house together you surely want to be clear on how much you're each saving, how long it will take etc have you agreed some goals together?

Shoxfordian · 26/05/2021 13:53

I don’t think you’re his priority here and his relationship with his family is so toxic

Don’t stay with someone you can’t trust

user1471457751 · 26/05/2021 13:53

Given they took his inheritance (I assume granddad planned something to to grandson but not formally in the will) then I think his mum should go swivel for anything she claims is owed to her

fairynick · 26/05/2021 13:59

You’re all correct unfortunately.

@user1471457751i can’t agree more. The will was formal and put into DPs bank, but when he was around 11/12 years old his parents took the money out to pay for other things - he doesn’t remember whether he gave permission or not. Either way we’re confident he would’ve been coerced. We found the old bank book when helping his mother move.

OP posts:
An0n0n0n · 26/05/2021 14:00

The questiin isn't "are you being controlling" its "do you trust him" - with money, to stand up to his family, to save independently?

Are your goals aligned or are you having to coach him to reach those goals? The latter sounds tedious and unappealing.

Aquamarine1029 · 26/05/2021 14:05

He's lied to you, many times. Why on earth are you with him?

He is perfect in every other way, I should add. No other problems in our relationship at all, but it’s all just really exhausting.

This just isn't true. Now you're lying to yourself.

AnneLovesGilbert · 26/05/2021 14:06

The relationship isn’t perfect in every other way is it. He’s told you several lies in 5 years. Why?! I’ve never lied to my husband. I’ve never found out he’s lied to me.

This is a shoddy basis for any sort of relationship never mind shared assets or marriage.

This is a good thing really, it’s your opportunity to take a long hard look at things and hopefully realise your future shouldn’t include someone who’s frequently dishonest and caught up in a dysfunctional fear, guilt, obligation with his parents. It’s not normal or healthy.

He may have his good points, everyone does, but from what little you’ve said there are too many bad ones.

ComingOutOfMyCave · 26/05/2021 14:18

I wouldn’t buy a house with this person sorry
I know that’s not what you asked but is this really how you want your future to be?

intheenddoesitreallymatter · 26/05/2021 14:35

You need to give him an ultimatum.

He needs to become financially detached from his parents or the relationship is over.

I'm really sorry OP but imagine having a mortgage together and suddenly he can't pay a month because it's gone to Mummy. Imagine paying for a wedding or raising children but he's giving his Mum hundreds if not thousands of pounds.

You deserve a man who can commit to you and be honest with you. Be honest, can he?

Aprilwasverywet · 26/05/2021 14:39

I wish I hadn't ignored similar red flags with my now exh
..

Babbly · 26/05/2021 17:39

I think you need to keep in mind that he's a victim of abuse and is being abused. He's not a bad person like some PPs are painting him out to be. Demanding ultimatums or attacking him aren't going to work - just like it wouldn't work if you were being abused by someone.

HeadFullofRandom · 26/05/2021 18:44

So he's not entirely responsible with money, is a walk over with his family (who are disfunctional) AND he lies?

No do not buy property or get married to this person, you will absolutely be setting yourself up for heartache down the line.

If in the time you have been together he had been honest, managed to get control of his finances and put at least some effort into parental boundaries then there may have been hope. Sorry.

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