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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

He never has any money!!! AIBU?

278 replies

crazymicrowave123 · 24/08/2021 10:23

So I have been dating a guy for about over 2 months now, and I've started to realise that he never has any money. I have a decent salary (say around 27k a year) and it's hard for us to be able to go out anywhere with him not earning even near what I earn (which in my opinion isn't even that high), because he never has any money.

He asks that we go on cheap or free dates like the park or for a walk (he is 27 and lives with his family still), and it's quite off putting because unless I pay for everything, we can't go out anywhere. He cancelled a date a two weeks ago as he didn't get paid enough and couldn't afford to visit me so he decided to make it up to me by inviting me to a really nice club/bar in central this past weekend.

When we got there the entry was £40 for both of us, and he then claimed he left is card in his car and asked if I could pay. Fed up with paying for everything I told him I'd wait whilst he got his card, he awkwardly looked at me then went to go get it. Fed up with waiting I paid for my own entry and went in.

He spent most of the night complaining about the cost of his entry which was £20 which I also had to pay without complaining. Then once in the club I paid for 2 shots for us both which was quite expensive for me costing £18 but I decided not to be too bothered and I assumed he'd maybe buy us a drink later.

Later in the evening told him I was thirsty and he didn't even offer to pay for anything. So I went to buy more drinks myself and then he suddenly offers to pay feeling guilty I guess, but as soon as he sees the price on the machine, gives me his card and tells me to tap the contactless whilst he uses the toilet. However his card declines. And looking back I'm 100% he knew it would. I was so embarrassed that I found him, explained his card declined and watched him pretend to be shocked. I was very turned off by his behaviour so I made up a tummy bug story and went home.

He messaged me asking if everything was ok and whether I got home alright, but I haven't replied since. I don't know whether I should let him down gently or if I am B U and that I am just expecting too much?

Just to add, I have no issues with him not being able to afford the night I just didn't appreciate that he invited me to this particular club knowing the prices and then seemed to expect me to pay for everything giving me thin excuses.

OP posts:
phishy · 24/08/2021 17:26

He is definitely a wannabe cocklodger. Don’t even bother with this one, toss him out. Text him now and be done with it.

You are paying for everything, well done for telling him to go get cash card 😂

phishy · 24/08/2021 17:28

@BillMasen

There can be a lot of pressure on men, especially when dating, to show they are successful, can pay, can “provide”. It can lead to situations like this where he feels he can’t admit to the failing that is “not being rich enough”

Yeah he should have been straight, but I can see why he was fearful to be. A poor man can immediately be labelled a failure, a cheapskate, lazy, a user. It’s happening on this thread too.

But he IS a user. He invited OP to an expensive bar when he had ZERO intention of paying and then also let her get drinks for them both.

Op also says she’s fee d up of paying for everything.

This isn’t about double standards, the advice would be the same whether OP was male or female.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 24/08/2021 17:36

i couldn't be bothered with this, he's be dumped if it was me.

Duchess379 · 24/08/2021 17:44

Why the hell would a police station need security?? He's an absolute liar.

YorkshireGirl35 · 24/08/2021 17:51

Bin him. Been there done that and it never ends well

pcofmushu · 24/08/2021 17:57

It would be a deal-breaker for me. The resentment this issue brings is very difficult to overcome. (Been there, done that - had to move on)

Itseemslike · 24/08/2021 18:10

Which part of the UK do you live, is it London or the cheaper places ?

TillyTopper · 24/08/2021 18:11

The lying would bother me and I'd get a bit sick of paying for everything. Sorry but I'd dump and run!

BillMasen · 24/08/2021 18:12

Hang on @phishy. They each paid their own entry, she bought drinks.

I’m not saying he’s behaved brilliantly, I’m saying there is pressure to portray yourself as “the provider” and that may have caused him to overplay his financial hand.

I doubt the advice to a man who had let his date pay their own entry, and then bought a couple of rounds would be that she was clearly a user, but maybe you would say that…

BlowDryRat · 24/08/2021 18:13

Dating shouldn't be hard work, especially when you're only 2 months in. Dump him and move on.

Feedingthebirds1 · 24/08/2021 18:14

@pcofmushu

It would be a deal-breaker for me. The resentment this issue brings is very difficult to overcome. (Been there, done that - had to move on)
And he's not going to magically change overnight. End it now, or in a few weeks/months/years when you've had more of the same.
Bananalanacake · 24/08/2021 18:18

I'll say what I always say which is don't let him move in with you.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 24/08/2021 18:42

Super creepy he lied that he works at a police station when he doesn't, seems like a way of trying to make someone feel they can trust you because you must have been vetted etc. Just all round bad vibes from this guy whether it's due to immaturity or being predatory. Neither is attractive.

Klee30 · 24/08/2021 18:51

Money isn't everything. Some of the happiest couples I know have little money. But your relationship doesn't sound healthy being such an imbalance. Not that he earns less just because he's expecting you to pay for everything!! It's hard to believe that he never has any money if he likes at home? (Did I read that right?). I'd understand if he had a mortgage and a house to run. I'm always skint at the minute.

I went out with a guy years ago who was terrible with money. He worked full time and lived at home and was charged little rent but he just blew it on pay day every week mainly on a night out. I didn't realise at first. At first he would say things like 'oh the atm swallowed my card, so you'll have to pay' 'oh I was late being paid this week, can you pay'. I finally realised and got out. But after we split I did find out I was expecting his baby. 10 years on I have a gorgeous son but his dad is still terrible with money.

When I met Dp, it was so different. I am not money orientated in a relationship at all. But he was sensible and didn't waste all his money but at the same time he could pay for things without question (I paid for stuff too of course).

rainyskylight · 24/08/2021 19:52

Dump him. Just say he was being weird about money and you appreciate honesty.

Handsoffstrikesagain · 24/08/2021 20:17

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Wrenna · 24/08/2021 20:21

If he has a job then the money is going elsewhere. I dated one of these, he used his money on drugs and debt.

billy1966 · 24/08/2021 20:28

Who cares about his feelings, he's a free loader at 27?

Why are you wasting your time?

Dump and move on.

powershowerforanhour · 24/08/2021 21:16

My DH earns a lot less than me but was always honest about his job, what he earns and what his expectations of life were. He was living alone, in a very cheap rented place in the sticks when I met him and AFAIK had never cocklodged off anyone and didn't have any notions of trying to fake a champagne lifestyle on beer money.

Deceit is an absolute dealbreaker for me so I'd bin your one (and, for the sake of the next date, tell him why so that he can't tell himself it's because you're a snob or whatever). Nobody wants to be bullshitted or made a fool of.

My guess is that the disposable income is going on online gambling and that the 20-1 shot didn't come in on the day you went to the club. If it had no doubt he would have been acting Billy Bountiful Bigballs all night.

phishy · 24/08/2021 21:39

@BillMasen

Hang on *@phishy*. They each paid their own entry, she bought drinks.

I’m not saying he’s behaved brilliantly, I’m saying there is pressure to portray yourself as “the provider” and that may have caused him to overplay his financial hand.

I doubt the advice to a man who had let his date pay their own entry, and then bought a couple of rounds would be that she was clearly a user, but maybe you would say that…

But the point is he was trying to get OP to pay by pulling the ‘I forgot my wallet’ trick. Thankfully OP didn’t let him get away with it and made him go back for his wallet and pay his own.

How is he portraying himself as a provider by pretending he forgot his wallet?

AllTheOtherNamesWereTaken · 24/08/2021 22:16

I agree with everyone that it's not on, but instead of jumping to dumping him why not discuss the issue first? Ask him where his money goes and does he need help with finance planning, the response from him might let you know if you want to give him a chance or dump

QueenBee52 · 24/08/2021 22:22

Ask him where his money goes and does he need help with finance planning, the response from him might let you know if you want to give him a chance or dump

please don't do this....

iloveruby · 24/08/2021 22:31

@AllTheOtherNamesWereTaken

I agree with everyone that it's not on, but instead of jumping to dumping him why not discuss the issue first? Ask him where his money goes and does he need help with finance planning, the response from him might let you know if you want to give him a chance or dump
"Help with finance planning"

Oh give over!! OP has known this guy for 2 months in which time he has lied about his job and he has tried to trick her into paying for a night out because he couldn't be honest.

OP - get rid of him. You don't owe him any explanation just don't waste anymore of your time on him.

billy1966 · 24/08/2021 22:31

@QueenBee52

Ask him where his money goes and does he need help with finance planning, the response from him might let you know if you want to give him a chance or dump

please don't do this....

Why on earth would she be trying to fix some guy sbe has just met? 🙄

Men are NOT bloody projects for women to take on.🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

QueenBee52 · 24/08/2021 22:37

Why on earth would she be trying to fix some guy sbe has just met? 🙄

Men are NOT bloody projects for women to take on.🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

exactly ...

He's 27... let Him sort himself out 🌸