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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Friend's wreckless spending and behaviour

3 replies

Rosemary1988 · 24/09/2023 08:56

I've known my friend for 7 years, during that time we have become super close we message daily and try to see eachother once a week if we can but that doesn't always happen.

Our children and partners get on well and her extended family often invite us along to their gatherings to be with them all, which we really appreciate as our family live away.

Last year my partner said he thought my friend had a spending problem and noticed she seemed different, he even said "is she having an affair?" Not knowing everything that I do.

I laughed it off and defended her, but deep down I know there is an issue.

My friend is slightly older than me and she is really struggling with perimenapause which I am trying my best to really support her with. She can get quite aggressive and angry (not at me), she knows it's an issue and she has tried to speak to her GP about it.

Her behaviour really changed last year and she shocked me when she told me she had been messaging an older wealthy ex lover and had been for years, her spending even then was frankly out of control. I suspected she was having an affair then possibly, as she purchased alot of underwear, perfumes, and really upped her appearance, this was not for her husbands benefit.

Her husband asked her a few months ago if she was cheating, as she claimed she needed to stay away in a hotels for work but it just didn't add up with everything else. So it seems I'm not the only one wondering.

Little things like going to a cheap little shop to grab a few bits, she just can't control herself, she will then message me saying she's in the red and they have no money. Then the next day shes booked holidays and outings to pay off, and shes off to the shops to buy more clothes and toys for the kids.

There are definitely issues in her marriage, I know she is very unhappy, I've tried to focus on her happiness and health and be supportive, making it clear that starting an affair isn't a good idea although again deep down I think she has been having an affair and is keeping it from me, also based on messages and trips to a very specific area where this person lives at least twice a month.

When we go out for a coffee which I've really tried to cut back on, her card gets declined and she laughs it off and I pay.

She always pays me back a week or so after, but I just feel things are way out of control. I love her dearly and we talk about everything and anything, but I've never called her out on her spending and this possible affair, I'm terrified to because I don't have concrete evidence.

She is a good person, I just think she's struggling mentally and making the wrong choices.

What would you do?

OP posts:
Username620 · 24/09/2023 09:12

I think you are a lovely friend to be so caring and worried.
The problem is if people don’t want to do anything about their behaviour they will not do anything and will resent those pointing it out.
I am talking from experience of a drinking problem. My friends were worried about me.
You would have to be very careful with your wording, that you don’t come across as judgemental.
Your friend possibly knows she is in a bad place right now but doesn’t see any way out.

I also have a situationship with someone I like very much who has his own problems so can’t give me full commitment but one friend believes he should be showing me commitment (we are exclusive) and is not very good with her wording and she’s on the way to becoming an ex friend but because of other things that have happened over the weekend. Another friend is there for me if I want to bounce things off her but it doesn’t feel judgemental.
I did eventually stop drinking because I wanted to and I had a circle of friends around me that helped.
I think the most you can say is that you are concerned for her, maybe light hearted if her card is declined again and that you are there for her if she needs you. Plus be that good friend if she opens up, listen and don’t be judgemental.

Pix56 · 24/09/2023 09:16

Be honest with her husband, he doesn't deserve this.

Carebearstare12e · 24/09/2023 09:21

What can you do?

She's having an emotional affair, likes spending when she can't afford to.

Like millions of people.

You can tell her you think it's a problem but really, it's none of your business so she can tell you that.

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