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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Already given savings, DSS wants more.

520 replies

ScottyandWestie · 25/07/2021 20:09

Posting here for traffic as feeling terribly conflicted and a bit taken for granted.
DSS mid twenties has been round with his girlfriend asking for cash from us toward a house deposit.
Due to covid husband had to take a pay cut and we don't really have anything to give right now.
DSS knows we have a couple of thousand set aside as DSD will be 21 in February and we have approx 5k to give her as we did DSS on his 21st. It's a saving plan we did for each of them since they were young children.
He and his girlfriend were complaining about house prices and I know it's awful, the 5k he had from us seemed to go on holidays and bits for his cycling hobby.
We dont have anything to give and while DSD knows the money is coming to her she has said she will keep it in savings, she has no plans to spend it.
DSS girlfriend was making me feel guilty as her Dad is helping them out, but we don't have the spare cash and we have already given him 5K. It's not our fault he spent it.
I do not want to ask DSD and I feel the money should be protected he shouldn't have any access to it at all but he is pushing my husband, his father to speak to DSD about it.
My husband and myself never had any family financial help, I appreciate getting on the housing ladder was easier years ago but this isn't his money. Also what will happen when DSD needs it?
As I'm not his parent it's awkward but I feel husband should not even entertain the idea of asking DSD to give it to her brother.
Any suggestions?

OP posts:
SpeakingFranglais · 26/07/2021 06:45

It took my DS 3 years to save his deposit, because he liked to play hard too. It took DD 18 months because she saved everything and lived frugally.

You DS can’t save 5k and wants to steal his sisters birthday present.

Twat.

endofthelinefinally · 26/07/2021 06:47

If you and dh give dsd's money to dss you will ruin all family relationships permanently. Your dh needs to think about that.

BananaMilkshakeWithCream · 26/07/2021 06:49

Basically, he’s proposing he gets £10k and his sister gets zero. Because even if he faithfully promises to repay her, it won’t happen. More likely, he’ll be back to you for more money. Don’t do it.

daphnedoo12 · 26/07/2021 06:52

I never understand why grown up children assume their parents will give them money for a house, yes it's hard but that's life.

endofthelinefinally · 26/07/2021 06:52

Oh. I see the fallout has happened. Sorry OP.

Diverseopinions · 26/07/2021 07:22

It is all very unfair on yourselves.

I would be tempted to say that you want to have a lovely family meal and then, at a later date, sit down to discuss a few things. They need to forget the dream house for a moment and think about the bigger picture.

If the young couple can't save an extra £5 k deposit themselves, are they going to be able to afford to live in this house, if one of them loses their job? They have to furnish the place. If they have a baby, one of them might stop work for a time. Better to forget the 'dream' and just go for an affordable place, maybe getting a lodger in, too.

Your husband has suffered with his work. If they push you both into something unaffordable, then you won't be able to support yourselves at that home, or give them a temporary roof over their heads, if they ever need to come back to stay with you. You'll have to radically fownsize.

Spell out that there has been a pandemic. This is not the best time to be moving into dream houses that you can't afford. Any or all of you could lose work, in the near future.

What is actually wrong in the couple waiting a couple of years, taking on some weekend work and saving a bit more? If you can't do it, then don't. There may be other relations who can help out: grandparents on her side. They come forward, once it is clear to them that DH can't afford to help his son with the deposit.

There may be cheaper, part rent/ part buy options which they could look at.

But obviously, from the outside, on this forum, it does look as though something may have raised DSS expectations - if the girlfriend is crying in the background, and he is sending out photos of the house they expect to buy. I think you need to wonder whether your DH has given the impression to them that he is going to try to find them the way to get the money, and that he thinks they should get the house.

Washinglinewench29 · 26/07/2021 07:30

He's had his lot tell him to jog on and earn it.

ThinWomansBrain · 26/07/2021 07:30

t girlfriend of DSS was making him feel a bit useless that we do t have more cash to give and that he's taken a pay cut.
Limit your generosity to a copy of "How to Win Friends and Influence People"

ChunkySloth · 26/07/2021 07:31

What exactly was the dream home? I bet it was something like a detached or semi detached 4 bed with garage, driveway and en-suites etc rather than a starter home too. Cheeky fuckers.

Mrgrinch · 26/07/2021 07:36

They sound like two entitled little brats. Thank god your DH saw the light before it was too late.

Eddielzzard · 26/07/2021 07:41

You're doing the right thing. Hold strong. Maybe they'll come to their senses and realise they have no right to feel hard done by, but I suspect not.

Oblomov21 · 26/07/2021 07:43

He spent his £5k. End of.

DancesWithTortoises · 26/07/2021 07:44

What a horrible person DSS is. He'd steal from his sister.

Don't hand over the money yet, he's totally amoral and may get it from her somehow.

poppy1973 · 26/07/2021 07:44

I would give the £5,000 early to the daughter - instead of waiting until Feb. It would stop the son asking for the money that he thinks you both have. Mention you fairly gave him £5,000 which he spent on holidays.

Nomorepies · 26/07/2021 07:45

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on the poster's request

HereIfYouNeedMe · 26/07/2021 07:59

Save like the rest of us! Took me and DH 4 years to save whilst renting a flat. No help from anyone. You're 100% right in your original post, he was lucky to have been handed 5K when he did!

IDontDrinkTea · 26/07/2021 08:00

Well done for standing firm. If you’d have given in this wouldn’t have been the end of it: next it would be helping with a wedding, a car, costs of a baby… you need to set the boundaries now

squiglet111 · 26/07/2021 08:14

Did you make it clear to girlfriend that DSS has already had his £5k? Maybe he's made out to his gf that he's had nothing.

Glad you and husband were firm on your response. They are just going to have to save some money themselves instead of relying on others to give them money. New build houses aren't exactly running out! They might be better to wait anyway as prices are pretty high right now.

Bunnycat101 · 26/07/2021 08:17

He has behaved appallingly and has shown himself to be extremely selfish. I would suggest he isn’t emotionally or financially mature enough to buy a house. Plenty of people can’t afford to buy in their mid 20s. Why does he feel entitled to do so. What has he actually saved himself?

NeverButterkist · 26/07/2021 08:19

I am the parent of three and have helped all of them out on occasions - but we always make sure that we level it up between the three of them. We are now in the same position as you - if they ask for more we just don't have it.

Under no circumstances lend (give) your DSD's money to him - as pps have said it probably won't be there when she needs it.
I would explain clearly that you just don't have the money - I understand that our offspring sometimes think we have a secret, magic money tree. They are fortunate that GFs parents can help out but we are not all in the same financial position.
Also ask him how would he feel if he was in his sister's shoes: he got £5k on his 21st , but she doesn't, and how would he feel if his sister then needs the money and it is not there because he has it and is not yet in a position to pay it back.
It is tough for our DC's generation - none of ours managed to buy until they were in their thirties.
It tough for you too, but you need to treat your DSC equally and fairly.

Horehound · 26/07/2021 08:21

DSS has behaved terribly and told husband they will lose their dream house

Well it's their own fault for looking at a house they cannot afford! It's not to do with anybody else at all.
It's all their own doing because they are selfish and greedy.

timeisnotaline · 26/07/2021 08:22

I’m glad your dsd has you to have her back! Imagine if your dh had caved and given dss her 5k as well as his just because she’s less of a complete asshole!!

NeverButterkist · 26/07/2021 08:27

Something I forgot to add. When DH and I were saving for a deposit we took weekend jobs and decided for two years not to holiday or eat out etc. DH worked in a pub and I worked in a cinema, which was great fun.
Our son followed our example and worked as a supermarket delivery driver to save for his deposit.

HavelockVetinari · 26/07/2021 08:33

Bloody hell, the pair of them have more front than Blackpool!

Well done OP, you're doing the right thing. Tell them to jog on and then refuse to discuss it further.

Bigboysmademedoit · 26/07/2021 08:37

If he borrows the money for a deposit the lender (be it you and DH or DSD) will be required by th mortgage lender to sign a confirmation that this is a gift. He will legally not have to repay anyone.

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