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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To call it quits.

42 replies

88Pandora88 · 05/07/2023 04:40

Hey everyone, this might get lengthy but I appreciate any insights given...
Been married to husband for 9 years. 2 dc, 8 and 3.

My parents bought a house for us to live in, initially paid rent to them for 5 or 6 years, (maybe bit more) then my parents stopped that and told me to put money into a savings account.

Admittedly not every month money went in and sometimes only a bit went into the account due to various reasons like childcare costs, bills etc.

After dc2, maternity pay wiped me out, 500 pm to cover what my usual wage did, I struggled massively. During this time I wasn't putting any money away.
Also covid hit around this time too, when returning to work I ended up isolating 3 times which impacted wages too.

Husband was putting approx 800 in joint account where most bills came from and food etc, however Ive always been the one to pay childcare, activities and little things like savings. I get most of birthday and Xmas presents for kids and relatives too.

After dc2 maternity, childcare was half my wages, costing approx 500 a month, rest of my wages went towards activities (swimming and gymnastics) paying off credit card etc.

(I'm getting there just felt background needed)

Fast forward to January. 30 free hours kicked in and nursery fees reduced somewhat but still costing 200. Husband brought up finances (can't remember why) and reduced how much he was putting in monthly, so I upped it and put 400 into account for bills, he reduced to 600, which due to everything costing a fortune, just covers everything, I still pay the nursery fees, activities etc so essentially fund alot more than he does.
I work minimum wage, he gets easily double what I do.
I've admitted I struggled for a few years with the rent and f**'d up with it, but now moneys settling, I'm able to put some a month away into that account, however that is literally my only savings so I do need to dip into it when things go wrong, eg car cost a grand to fix last month.
I feel like a massive failure and it gives me such anxiety it's unreal.

(almost there)
This month, husband had hissy fit, said he's not putting money in, eventually transfered 200, so now I'm to find 400 to top it up (which will be taken out of savings) purely so we can eat this month.

On top of the every day battles, this has finished me off.
I genuinely feel done.
I'm drained.
I feel I do everything, I do 90% (if not more) of household chores, I take kids to activities, he's maybe done this once since we have dc1.
I sort food shopping out, do school runs (using my break times at work)
Work almost same amount of hours he does (I work 4 day 9 hours a day, he does 5, 8 hours a day)
If something goes wrong with house, it's up to me to sort it.

I honestly don't know anymore.
We do get on, but I'm struggling. I feel the weight of everything is crushing me and often wonder if calling it a day with OH would help, I've previously looked into financial help and what I'd get would match what he used to provide.

The biggest thing stopping me calling it a day is children and how it could affect them.

If you made it this far you deserve a medal, but thanks. I guess I'm just after anyone to listen, help, tell me I'm the tw*t, tell me I'm not. Anything.

OP posts:
Shirtella · 05/07/2023 04:54

He is contributing £200 to the family finances to support a home and two children? If he doesn’t pay anything else, then he is massively financially abusing you. What would he pay in child support if you separated?

Can you discuss this disparity with him? Can you involve your parents? Can you consider couples counselling? I think he needs to be told that his contribution is totally inadequate. My son gives me more than that.

I would consider my options, prepare his exit. Good luck.

Aquamarine1029 · 05/07/2023 04:58

I would kick him out immediately. Your marriage is over.

Babsexxx · 05/07/2023 05:32

Kick him out it’s financial abuse where’s all his money going?! He thinks he has it made because your parents own that home but that’s exactly why he needs to be very careful it’s not his parents who own it!

So he has the life or Riley pocketing hundreds each month whilst you fund everything! Yeah I’d end it what’s he bringing to your table exactly?

Look at it this way he would have to spend far more money renting his own place paying his own bills paying child maintenance and sharing childcare! So financially you’d be better off emotionally you’d get a break from the kids at weekends etc!

Babsexxx · 05/07/2023 05:35

And PS thank god that home belongs to your parents as it’s not a marital asset in either of your names! Get rid he’s absolutely screwed in a minute and that’s karma I’m afraid!

EVHead · 05/07/2023 05:41

Why the fuck have you been the one to pay for childcare?!

justanothermanicmonday1 · 05/07/2023 05:43

Babsexxx · 05/07/2023 05:32

Kick him out it’s financial abuse where’s all his money going?! He thinks he has it made because your parents own that home but that’s exactly why he needs to be very careful it’s not his parents who own it!

So he has the life or Riley pocketing hundreds each month whilst you fund everything! Yeah I’d end it what’s he bringing to your table exactly?

Look at it this way he would have to spend far more money renting his own place paying his own bills paying child maintenance and sharing childcare! So financially you’d be better off emotionally you’d get a break from the kids at weekends etc!

My god this all day long!

Imogensmumma · 05/07/2023 05:46

Why are you paying for all childcare and doing all housework and all school runs.

If not ready to bite the bullet yet I would sit him down and make him see how much he is A. Saving because of your parents and B. How much childcare is costing you

You would save money by being separated as he would have to pay for some childcare and or CMS … he should be bending over backwards for you

But get your ducks in a row and be ready with marching orders as he is taking the piss … giving you so little money and then wants to say he’s the man of the household… what a joke

YukoandHiro · 05/07/2023 05:50

Make sure the house is still in your parents' names and not yours. If you break up you still have a home.

moneymatr · 05/07/2023 05:50

You should both contribute the same percentage of your income. So if he earns double what you earn he should pay double. So you both have the same amount left at the end. If he's refusing to pay he needs to leave.

Blueblell · 05/07/2023 06:04

Why did have a hissy fit? What prompted it? It sounds like he is not doing his share of anything.

Motnight · 05/07/2023 06:07

Really hope that the house is your parents' name, Op.

Your husband seems to think that his children are financially someone else's responsibility.

Hopefully you are reading these posts, good luck.

Billybagpuss · 05/07/2023 06:12

It sounds like he’d contribute way more if you kicked him out and claimed CSA. So get ducks lined up and do it.

Billybagpuss · 05/07/2023 06:15

Also why does he think he gets to live for free? Where’s his money going? Try and find out how much he has in savings. Or my initial reaction is gambling?

sunnydayhereandnow · 05/07/2023 06:24

This is completely outrageous. You are married. Your assets and responsibilities are shared. Sounds like he clocked out of that a long time ago and is going to get a hard shock when it comes to the divorce settlement.

notquitesoyoung · 05/07/2023 06:44

I think you need to have a conversation with your parents and start paying them rent again. Was there any agreement in place originally which could see you paying back any of the years you didn't pay rent for? Any savings will be treated as joint so if they get used for rent your parents can give back to you once you are free of the financially abusing 'H' What has 'H' been doing with the money which he keeps outside the family finances? Presuming the house is still in your parents name and they are going to continue to let you and the DC stay post divorce you'll be better off financially without him. Talk about throwing something back in someone's face - your parents help house you all and he repays that generosity by keeping as much of his earnings to himself. Note to self if we are ever in this position the agreement will only be on the basis that all money is shared or the benefit the housing provides is my DC's contribution to the shared pot.

88Pandora88 · 05/07/2023 06:51

EVHead · 05/07/2023 05:41

Why the fuck have you been the one to pay for childcare?!

Initially it was because he was putting money into account for bills, I work in nursery and with dc1, they went to nursery I worked at and fees came straight out my wages. Dc2 fees don't come out my wages but just continued by me paying them.

OP posts:
88Pandora88 · 05/07/2023 06:52

YukoandHiro · 05/07/2023 05:50

Make sure the house is still in your parents' names and not yours. If you break up you still have a home.

House is definitely in my parents name x

OP posts:
88Pandora88 · 05/07/2023 06:53

Billybagpuss · 05/07/2023 06:15

Also why does he think he gets to live for free? Where’s his money going? Try and find out how much he has in savings. Or my initial reaction is gambling?

Honestly I don't know, he doesn't gamble as far as I know. He games so some probably goes on new games and computer stuff. He gets monthly booze boxes, and paints warhammer figures so he gets bits for that often. I don't think he spends everything tbh

OP posts:
88Pandora88 · 05/07/2023 06:56

Imogensmumma · 05/07/2023 05:46

Why are you paying for all childcare and doing all housework and all school runs.

If not ready to bite the bullet yet I would sit him down and make him see how much he is A. Saving because of your parents and B. How much childcare is costing you

You would save money by being separated as he would have to pay for some childcare and or CMS … he should be bending over backwards for you

But get your ducks in a row and be ready with marching orders as he is taking the piss … giving you so little money and then wants to say he’s the man of the household… what a joke

He works early, leaves while kids are in bed, I start later so can do morning school run/nursery drop off. He finishes as school finishes so I collect dc1 and meet him at home then return to work.
This was to avoid before/after school fees

OP posts:
Agix · 05/07/2023 06:57

OP, what is he actually contributing here? You do all the childcare, chores, and are now paying the majority of the bills despite earning less - is that correct?

What is his reasoning for this?

HarrisJu · 05/07/2023 06:59

Your dh thinks he can live rent free.
He should be paying all of the utility bills in lieu of your contribution which is your parents gift of a rent free home.
Get him told.

Babsexxx · 05/07/2023 07:17

I’d love to see his face when he realised the cost of absolutely everything in this climate where he’s been carried soo long lol….diddums!!

HabberdasheryAddict · 05/07/2023 07:38

You need competent legal advice! Find out if you can pay rent to your parents retrospectively, so your savings won't be considered marital assets in the divorce.

Make sure you find records of all the money he has squirelled away, including pensions, ISAs and other investments.

And get rid of your financial abuser. Talking to him won't help. Someone with his attitudes and personality will never change.

Babsexxx · 05/07/2023 07:41

There’s no need for any of that the house is owned by her parents! So neither names are on the property..

RandomMess · 05/07/2023 07:41

Surely he has savings as well?

This is madness. You are not a team, he's a teenage child refusing to pay board.