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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel angry, bitter and resentful

566 replies

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 19:08

I admit I'm feeling really sorry for myself.
But I can't help it.
DH and I are really struggling financially. We live in a tiny semi-detached house with our 2 DC. Our house has no hallway, front door goes straight into lounge, kitchen 7ft x 10ft, 3rd bedroom (DD room) 6 ft x 9ft. Bought an old 2nd hand car last year after my other 2nd hand car died. Now this one has failed it's MOT miserably and we haven't got the money to pay for the amount of work it needs. Probably can't afford to go on holiday this year. Our kitchen unit doors are broken, our oven is broken, our bath is broken with a hole in it, we need new radiators, we need new carpets because they're all old and threadbare, but we can't afford to replace any of these things and our house is an embarrassing state. We both work, DH 50 hours a week, me 30hrs a week, we are both in professional occupations that we spent years training for after both going to Uni.
Every week I worry about money. And our fixed term mortgage expires later this year and I actually feel physically sick at the thought of how much it's going to go up by as we have no money left at the end of each month as it is, and our mortgage term is up to the age of 70 so we won't be able to extend it as a way of keeping repayments manageable.
I'm angry and bitter and resentful because our life didn't need to be like this.
When I was a teenager, my grandmother repeatedly stated to me, to my DF and DM, and to her sisters, that when she died, I was to be given a quarter of the sale of her house. I so clearly remember her telling me I would inherit a quarter, and I remember family meetings round the table with her stipulating this to my DF (her son) and telling him he must ensure I received a quarter of the sale upon her death. My grandmother adored me all my life. But she never left a will. And after she died, her house was sold and my DF ploughed all of the inheritance into buying a new kitchen, new bathroom and a loft conversion in his girlfriend's house and spent the rest on holidays with her. They're not married and her house is in her name as she bought it before they met. So DF effectively ploughed hundreds of thousands of pounds into her house, he lives there with her, has done for 30 years, but he'll never have any financial claim on it and I never, ever saw a penny of the quarter my grandmother asked him to give me.
I'm angry with my beloved grandmother for trusting that her wishes would be carried out and not leaving an actual will.
I'm beyond angry with my DF and I no longer speak to him as a result. And as a result of me not speaking to him, my DC have never even met him, which I'm also angry and bitter about.
When I was 6, after my parents divorced because my DF had a affair, my DM got engaged and we moved to a new home with my stepfather. They had a baby. Within a year, my stepfather was dead. My DM was unable to financially maintain the mortgage, so we lost our new home and went into rented accommodation. My DM has remained single and in a rented home ever since, as she's never been able to afford to buy a home by herself.
My DH's mother died and DH's father inherited the house. His DM owned her house outright in her own name before she met and married DH's father. Within months of her death, DH's father sold the house, their beautiful family home, banked the money (no mortgage so got all of the sale) moved in with a new woman into her home, married her, then a year later he died and his new wife inherited all of his money from the sale of the family home. The naivity in me thought, surely she'll give DH some money, in recognition of the fact this money she's inherited has come from the sale of his family home which his mother owned outright. But no. She used the whole lot to buy a lovely new home for her and her children. DH never saw a penny of any inheritance. If he had, we wouldn't be living in the tremendously hard up circumstances we are now.
So DH and I are where we are. Struggling to death financially and finding life really hard.
And I'm so angry, it's eating me up.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
faxnoink · 15/02/2024 19:13

Why did neither of you contest either of the wills? You were old enough to contest them.

What do you both earn and how much is the mortgage?

SecretSquare · 15/02/2024 19:16

I'm sorry you're experiencing financial difficulties and struggling. BUT, no-one should ever rely on inheritance in terms of their own financial planning. For a number of reasons, including the ones you've described. You're responsible for yourself.

telestrations · 15/02/2024 19:19

Sorry this is shit OP.

The inheritance thing is a bit of a red herring, you shouldn't need one to live comfortably with two adults working let alone professional uni educated ones.

But also understand being rather f*** off about it.

Brandnewskytohangyourstarsupon · 15/02/2024 19:20

Op I think you are fully entitled to be fucking furious about this shit.
It is utter utter dog shit and I feel really bad for you.,
People are cunts.

fiskette · 15/02/2024 19:21

I'm so sorry OP. I really feel your pain in your post. I'm sorry you were let down.

Squishmellow · 15/02/2024 19:21

Yanbu but if you’ve both got good professional jobs you have an advantage over those that don’t , you need to look for better paid work.. it’s the only way.

Weedoormatnomore · 15/02/2024 19:22

It's hard so many family members cheated out of inheritance. Hope things improve for you soon

Babyroobs · 15/02/2024 19:23

I think you need to let the bitterness go, it will just eat you up. Lots of people don't even get any inheritance due to care home fees etc. Your Grandmother was daft not to make a proper will, likewise your dh's dad did nothing to protect his inheritance but he was free to leave the money to who he wished. You can't be responsible for the poor choices of others, although I understand it's frustrating. Expecting inheritance seems to cause so many problems for so many on MN.

Poppybob · 15/02/2024 19:27

I'll not see any inheritance and neither will my DH. Our families have just not got any money and any property they have will probably be eaten up in care home fees.

Containerhome · 15/02/2024 19:27

That is shit. My mum did something similar. Although I.wouldnt have got more than a few thousand and I wasn't old enough to contest. I let it go. I will never inherit from my mum. She remarried and had kids with her 3rd husband and doesn't own anything herself.

We are stuck in a renting rut
But I have just learnt to accept that now.

Hugs though. You will get through it.

Mementomorissons · 15/02/2024 19:28

YANBU at all. I've had exactly the same happen to me. A few years ago I was worrying so much about money that I was suicidal. Parents both inherited grandparents house and regularly make comments to me like "we're proud that we've raised you better than our parents did that you wouldn't need to rely on inheriting off us."

Sophist · 15/02/2024 19:28

Sorry you’re in this situation- it sounds very tough.

I agree with PP that the inheritance issues shouldn’t be your focus. No one is ever guaranteed an inheritance and, in your granny’s case, although she wanted to leave you a share she didn’t actually do it. It’s shit that your father spent the money but it was his to spend, legally if not morally.

Id try to let go of these things you can’t control and be more proactive in the things you can control.

Poppybob · 15/02/2024 19:29

So I've resigned myself to this and trying to change this for my DC. You are lucky in some ways. You have your own home, jobs and by the sounds of it your health.it doesn't feel like it but you are probably more fortunate than a lot of people.

PlacidPenelope · 15/02/2024 19:30

This is why it needs to be hammered home to people to make a Will never, ever, trust anyone to just honour your wishes, they won't.

I am not surprised you feel bitter and resentful towards those selfish people who saw only £ signs for themselves and had not a thought for anyone else, but you do need to let it go otherwise it will just eat away at you and destroy you and stop you moving forward. You didn't contest the situations at the time and it is too late now you need to consign it to history.

You need to see what you can do to address your current situation and put all your energy and focus into that not waste it on what you cannot change.

MinervatheGreat · 15/02/2024 19:30

I am so sorry you are in this pickle. It sounds exhausting.

Im wondering if a session with someone like a Citizens Advice financial person could help you see the wood for the trees and give you some budgeting tips?

You are both working lengthy enough hours, is there scope to look for better salaries elsewhere?

Could you appeal via FB for a new bath or help to repair it? FB local folks can be very kind.

Only the other day I was thinking about changing my pristine bedroom carpet and wondering if there was a family somewhere who could use it? You are the sort of working but stretched family who could possibly like it.

Is there any advice the Martin Lewis Money Saving Web Site can point you towards?

Are you any good with a spread sheet? Can you sit with DH and look at your income and outgoings to see where you might save?

Cut down on takeaway, coffees out, look out for community larders, shop very late to see if the supermarket are discounting before closing?

Im banging on a bit here and trying to be solution orientated, thinking outside the box. I hope it helps just to know that folks care.

Containerhome · 15/02/2024 19:32

Depending on your situation as well most councils have a fund for a one of payment up to £250 for help for things like broken amenities, not enough food or clothing etc. My sil applied and was given £250. Each council have their own scheme and criteria and amounts etc. But worth having a look at.

way2serious · 15/02/2024 19:36

You sound very angry and this will eat you up if you don’t let it go. You need to try and be thankful for what you have which I know sounds trite, but you have 2 children, a home, a husband and a job. Is there anything you can do to increase your income or review your spending or some small things to make you feel better about your house - nice smelling candles, some nice throws or cushions. These don’t need to be expensive.
i hope you find some peace.

BibbleandSqwauk · 15/02/2024 19:37

I don't think saying "well I won't get any anyway" is helpful. The op and her DH SHOULD have received that money and have been shafted out of it. It hasn't gone to worthy causes or care fees, just opportunistic step relatives. I completely understand the OP's frustration and sense of injustice. I don't think there's much that can be done other than learn a salutory lesson to protect assets where possible to ensure they go where intended but I sympathise.

Turnthelightoff · 15/02/2024 19:44

Im another person really sorry to hear this, some good advice already about dealing with the emotions towards your family and more practical tips. I was going to suggest having a really frugal week every so often to boost your funds, I’m sure you are constantly budgeting but what if you just tried for a week for the cheapest of meals and only free activities just to save some ££. Also have a good tidy and sort around the house to make you feel better about it, keep an eye out for free items just to change things up too.

Onelifeonly · 15/02/2024 19:47

The anger and bitterness, though very understandable, aren't helping you. Try to let go. Focus on how you can either earn more or cut back, or both. Many people won't inherit anything and a lot may struggle financially at different times in their lives. Try to count your blessings, as they say - maybe write them down so you can look at them - job, family, your own house, health etc. You'll work things out, life won't always be like it is now.

anotherdayanotherpathlesstravelled · 15/02/2024 19:50

You do sound very angry bitter and resentful about other peoples choices but honestly you should never rely on inheritance to shore up you our own finances. At the end of the day you have to cut your cloth to suit- seems to me you have made all the choices as to who how you got to this position - you have two children - you also have a 3 bedroom house. Presumably you could downsize to a 2 bed and the kids share. You also work less than full time. 30 hours isn't full time. You don't have to have a holiday. Lots of families don't in this current climate.

You have no control over what other people do with their money - if they are stupid enough not to have a will then that's up to them - you only have control over your own

eatreadsleeprepeat · 15/02/2024 19:50

Sounds a very precarious and worrying situation for you both. It must feel as if there is no prospect of anything coming to make it better but a lot of it is caused by the current financial state of the country as much as by the disappointment you have faced in not having the financial boost that your grandmother wanted for you.
Being angry is understandable but letting it eat you up is not healthy.
I am sure you have already done all of this but what about a benefit check to make sure you aren’t missing out on anything, budgeting tools to keep track. Could you move to a different bit of the country?

biscuitnut · 15/02/2024 19:51

Regarding inheritance you are not in your own. I won’t inherit, DH didn’t inherit, they left what little they had to his sister because she took care of them while living there. Fair enough. It’s not our money and I don’t waste a moment thinking about it- nobody should count on inheritance to solve their financial problems. I would at least let these feelings go because it’s pointless and it’s distracting you from finding positive constructive things you can do to improve your lot.

Noideawwhatsoccuring · 15/02/2024 19:54

There’s a few things here.

If your grandmother wanted to ensure you got the money, she should have had a will: she clearly spent a lot of time thinking about what she wanted to do. The time to do something was when she died. However, I understand you feeling resentful and because your grandmother expect you to get it.

However, when it comes to your dh fathers money, yabu. His mother may have owned the house before she met her husband. However, they were together a long time. It was your Dhs father’s house. To do with as he wished. Your Dh had no entitlement to any of it.

His father may have made bad decisions, but it was his money to do with.

You need to concentrate your own situation. You work 80 hours a week in professional roles. You must have a fairly decent amount coming in. To be at the point you can’t afford to repair your oven etc is very distressing. I lived like that but as a single parent.

Is there really nothing you can do with your own finances to improve your situation?

You aren’t getting any inheritance. If you waste your life being bitter about that, how will it help? It won’t make this situation better.

LutonBeds · 15/02/2024 19:57

Was your DM actually married to your SF? Given that they had a baby was there no life insurance/death in service benefit from his work for your DB/DSis and DM?

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