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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
Ariona · 15/02/2024 20:01

I actually think Yabu.

Your GM's money should go to her child. If she wanted you to have it, then she should have made a will.
Also you've made it seem like your DF just hooked up with some Girlfriend and gave this money to her. He moved into her house for 30 years! It's right that he upgraded her place when living there for 30years. And you have denied your children a relationship because you are so bitter.
I think it's terrible how you've ticked off people and how much you can either benefit from them. So your dm who rents through unfortunate circumstances now won't have a house that you can inherit from? That's awful how you have described everyone in detail.
The only person who should be upset is your dh as he was directly affected but you are angry enough for everyone.

If you want to pick apart everyone's financial situation or choices that they made, look at your own? Why did you have 2 kids knowing that your situation is what it is?

Guavafish1 · 15/02/2024 20:08

I won't be bitter about inheritance. Let it go or it will eat away and harm only you.

Inkyblue123 · 15/02/2024 20:09

I know I will inherit nothing. And it pisses me off when I see friends and colleague make no effort for financial independence . Bright girls with useless degrees working in shitejobs becouse they are depending on inheritance from their parents. They don’t need to save for a house deposit or a pension. They expect others to provide. You are owed nothing. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and do something about it. See a financial advisor, do a free course on personal finance. Get a grip.

HawkersEast · 15/02/2024 20:09

I can see why you're angry but its not going to help/change anything. Was it all unfair, maybe, but its what happened and you need to let it go and focus on things you can control. The bitterness will just eat you up and it's not worth it.

Cameraclick · 15/02/2024 20:12

I’d be fuming too OP. I’m not likely to ever receive inheritance but if I was and I was cheated out of it then I would be livid.

do you live in an expensive part of the country?

countdowntonap · 15/02/2024 20:15

Can you increase your work hours? I’d see working 39 hours per week as luxury!

Hatty65 · 15/02/2024 20:24

You are so bitter that you are making your own life miserable. It's very difficult to have any sympathy at all. You sound so angry and filled with hate and entitled that you aren't even grateful for what you have.

Many people will never own their own home, but you seem to think that you should have been given money from your grandmother, your parents or your DH's parents. I genuinely don't know anyone who was given money - most of our friends aren't in those circumstances. Either their parents are still alive and have little to spare, or don't own their own homes anyway, so there will be no inheritance.

Life must be utterly miserable for your two children if you are this bitter and resentful about life. Let's hope they don't grow up bitter that you haven't earned more money, died and given them an inheritance. Most people expect to have to make their own way in life.

Ariona · 15/02/2024 20:28

@Hatty65 I agree with you! Op has ticked off each person on the list and bitter about who she isn't gaining from.

I also don't know anyone who has inherited. We all bought our own homes. In fact in my culture we even support our parents.

Op your bitterness has definitely been passed on to your dc. You need to let this go.

PutThatDownNowPlease · 15/02/2024 20:29

I’m always amazed how many people believe they’re “entitled” to inheritance. And base important life choices on something that may never materialize. But back to the OP - you can’t keep blaming “stolen” inheritances for your current situation. It sounds like you are angry, scared and frustrated by your current situation (reasonable) but projecting or looking for people to blame for what is a situation you essentially got yourself into (not reasonable). Focus on the reality of what you can do to improve your situation and not what ifs - otherwise you’ll not only be miserable but possibly also homeless. Sorry, YABU.

StrugglingWithItAll123 · 15/02/2024 20:30

YANBU x

Frasers · 15/02/2024 20:36

Op, you seem to feel a lack of personal responsibility for your own financial situation, if you’re struggling financially only you and your husband are responsible for this, and for fixing it. I’d advise stop focusing on other peoples money and start focusing on improving your situation. Yourselves.

coldcallerbaiter · 15/02/2024 20:43

Not much you can do about people spending money when they are alive. I do really hate the stepmother leaves it all to her own dc scenario etc. Bio children should be protected under the inheritance laws. In many countries they are and it’s much much smoother. In England married couples leave their estate to each other mainly for tax reasons, but the one left then remarries and goes on to leave it to the next spouse. Given the laws over here, I do not think older people should get married again if they already have dc. What’s wrong with just cohabiting.

Frasers · 15/02/2024 20:45

What’s the subtext here op, why are you struggling so much?your mortgage is to 70, you’re still on a lower interest rate, but have no savings and have no money left at the end of the month, both in professional careers. Why is it so bad, are you both in low earning careers?why are you part time,?

RawBloomers · 15/02/2024 20:46

What’s in your own will, OP?

I see why you’re bitter, though should point out that you’re in good company. Most people do not inherit enough money to change their fortunes.

The thing is, though, the bitterness is of no help to you. You can’t change any of the actions of your parents, grandparents or inlaws. It’s all done. You can only make the best of what you have. Look for ways to improve your income - a side job, increasing hours, promotion or career change, etc. Or if childcare is getting in the way, just work out how to hold on for a few more years until that hurdle is done. The cost of living crisis has really hit a lot of people hard, but things will adjust.

sorrynotathome · 15/02/2024 20:47

Move out of London.

BrightLightTonight · 15/02/2024 20:55

The missed inheritance is a complete red herring. Why are you and your partner not earning enough to keep your house. That’s what you should be concentrating on.

can I also ask, why are your kitchen cupboards broken, and why does your bath have a hole in it? What are you and your family doing to cause this sort of damage. Sort out your lives and stop worrying about the “wrongs” that have been done to you.

Nosleepforthismum · 15/02/2024 21:17

I do understand your feelings to some extent but you need to let it go. You can’t change what happened and you should never make life choices based on an assumption that you will get an inheritance.

You are focusing on the wrong thing. Why can’t you afford to repair your home and/or do the work to the car? Are you paying nursery fees? Maybe if you break down your outgoings we can make some suggestions to help.

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 21:20

BrightLightTonight · 15/02/2024 20:55

The missed inheritance is a complete red herring. Why are you and your partner not earning enough to keep your house. That’s what you should be concentrating on.

can I also ask, why are your kitchen cupboards broken, and why does your bath have a hole in it? What are you and your family doing to cause this sort of damage. Sort out your lives and stop worrying about the “wrongs” that have been done to you.

The bath had a hole in it when we bought the house but we didn't notice upon viewing as it was concealed when we were viewing the house. We have never been able to afford a new bath. I have had 4 quotes, and each quote is hundreds of pounds, one was £1,000, to remove current bath, buy new bath and have it fitted then replace tiles around bath.
Kitchen cupboards are broken because all the laminate covering on the doors is peeling off, it looks revolting, it's a plastic glossy laminate which is all cracked and peeling off of every door, and on top of this the doors are hanging off the hinges which DH has tried to repair but they keep falling out again.

OP posts:
Newchapterbeckons · 15/02/2024 21:21

Why don’t you work full time? That would solve many of your issues.

Cornflakelover · 15/02/2024 21:24

While it might not seem important right now
please make sure you and your DH have wills
set it up so that you both equally own your own share
Give each other a life time interest in it for the surviving spouse

and each leave your share to your kids

That way your kids won’t get shafted like you both did if you or husband remarry and the new wife / husband walks off with it all

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 21:24

Newchapterbeckons · 15/02/2024 21:21

Why don’t you work full time? That would solve many of your issues.

DC both have SEN and I need to be around to look after them.
Both at primary school.
Childcare wouldn't work due to SEN needs.

OP posts:
StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 21:26

sorrynotathome · 15/02/2024 20:47

Move out of London.

I don't live in London.

OP posts:
Cornflakelover · 15/02/2024 21:27

If both have SEN are you claiming DLA for them
I know people say it’s hard to get but it’s not if you know how to fill out the forms and if they are diagnosed with SEN it’s easier to get a positive result

Badgerandfox227 · 15/02/2024 21:28

So sorry to hear all this OP, I’d be pissed off too. Rubbish that you’re both working hard and yet struggling. Have you thought of asking your lender for a 6 month interest only break to give you some breathing room?

I know many people say you shouldn’t expect inheritance, but let’s be honest, many people do benefit from inheritance and it sounds like both you and your DH have been shafted.

Newchapterbeckons · 15/02/2024 21:29

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 21:24

DC both have SEN and I need to be around to look after them.
Both at primary school.
Childcare wouldn't work due to SEN needs.

I think you could use after school care if they are both in primary school SEN shouldn’t prevent you working if they are in main stream school. Or dh and you take it in turns - get a weekend job? 30 hours isn’t that much if you are as hard up as you are.

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