Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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
Walkiesandtalkies · 15/02/2024 21:53

I think some people are being really tough on you here, OP, and I am positive that it won't be helpful or motivational to you. If indeed, that's what they are thinking.
Your situation sounds really tough - charity shops are not always cheap, certainly not if you're on such a tight budget, and doing what's right for your kids should be your priority and I completely get that what they need is time with you so that limits working hours. You and your husband are working incredibly hard to support your family.
And coming on here to vent is completely OK, as it sounds like you have good reason to feel disheartened and cross. And I hope you receive kind advice and support from others - compassion goes a long way and indeed often really helps to motivate. Take care of yourself.

Eyesopenwideawake · 15/02/2024 21:54

Forget all the stuff you can't control. If all your relatives had died with nothing to pass on you'd be in exactly the same position as you are now. All that detail, regret and anger is irrelevant.

With that in mind what can you do?

Blazingunicorns · 15/02/2024 21:58

Buy and also sell on Vinted. You can get some good bargains and listing items is quick and easy too. I got both of my dc winter coats on there this year, for a fraction of the price they would cost new in the shops.

Hermittrismegistus · 15/02/2024 21:58

Your coat could be fixed with with a roll of Velcro tape for about £3.

tara66 · 15/02/2024 22:01

not read many PP but have you tried to fix bath with diy ?- get some epoxy filler from amazon.. See google how to do it etc. Re. new carpet you can get ''off cuts'' for lower prices etc.

Eyesopenwideawake · 15/02/2024 22:04

Eyesopenwideawake · 15/02/2024 21:54

Forget all the stuff you can't control. If all your relatives had died with nothing to pass on you'd be in exactly the same position as you are now. All that detail, regret and anger is irrelevant.

With that in mind what can you do?

Oh and by the way if you think I'm being cruel my mother and father always told me their estate would be split 50:50 and that I would inherit my mothers (extensive/valuable) jewels and my grandmother's worthless but much loved baubles. Guess what? They changed their minds. No amount of ranting or bitterness will ever change that situation.

WillYouPutYourCoatOn · 15/02/2024 22:04

Walkiesandtalkies · 15/02/2024 21:53

I think some people are being really tough on you here, OP, and I am positive that it won't be helpful or motivational to you. If indeed, that's what they are thinking.
Your situation sounds really tough - charity shops are not always cheap, certainly not if you're on such a tight budget, and doing what's right for your kids should be your priority and I completely get that what they need is time with you so that limits working hours. You and your husband are working incredibly hard to support your family.
And coming on here to vent is completely OK, as it sounds like you have good reason to feel disheartened and cross. And I hope you receive kind advice and support from others - compassion goes a long way and indeed often really helps to motivate. Take care of yourself.

And while this might be more palatable for OP to read, in what way do you think it's helpful and supportive to suggest charity shops aren't cheap? Are you determined to only shop in the uber expensive ones in Chelsea?

Do you think no one else has children with additional needs? Or that we'd all love to work limited hours, and bark at people "don't tell me what to do with my children" as some kind of justification of our financial irresponsibility, which puts the mortgage/ roof over their head at risk.

Sorry but having a victim mentality and sugarcoating things is doing OP a real disservice. Ignoring the inheritance stuff, her and DH should not be in this position with one "tiny" house between them and no childcare costs.

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 22:04

Eyesopenwideawake · 15/02/2024 21:54

Forget all the stuff you can't control. If all your relatives had died with nothing to pass on you'd be in exactly the same position as you are now. All that detail, regret and anger is irrelevant.

With that in mind what can you do?

I know, but that's the weird thing.
If my relatives and DH's relatives had nothing to leave, if they all lived in rented homes, or if their homes were sold to pay for care home fees to ensure they were looked after, then I wouldn't feel any bitterness.
I'm bitter because my own DF sat there nodding in agreement with his mother when she instructed him to give me a quarter of her estate, it was enough to have set me up in life. How could he choose to spend it all on his girlfriend's kitchen and convert her loft into a 5th bedroom with ensuite for her teenage DS to live in, even though he'd had a perfectly big bedroom in the first place, and even though she had a perfectly nice kitchen in the first place, she just fancied an expensive upgrade, how could he choose to spend his inheritance on those things, and to take her and her DC on twice yearly luxurious holidays where I was never invited, and not give his own daughter a single, solitary penny?
I'm so fu**ing angry with him I could scream.

OP posts:
BrieAndChilli · 15/02/2024 22:06

The inheritance is shit but I don’t think there is anything you can do about it now so you need to stop dwelling on it and using it as an to blame all your issues on. After all even of those people had lived longer they could have sold the house and spent it all on cruises or had to pay for care homes

All you can do is focus on the here and now and what you can practically do to help your situation.
check that you are getting any benefits you may be entitled to, especially regarding the children, review your finances and try and save a few pound here and there. Get some poppers to see on your coat. Every little thing will help.

Eyesopenwideawake · 15/02/2024 22:06

Bitterness is swallowing poison and expecting the other person to die...

Noideawwhatsoccuring · 15/02/2024 22:08

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 22:04

I know, but that's the weird thing.
If my relatives and DH's relatives had nothing to leave, if they all lived in rented homes, or if their homes were sold to pay for care home fees to ensure they were looked after, then I wouldn't feel any bitterness.
I'm bitter because my own DF sat there nodding in agreement with his mother when she instructed him to give me a quarter of her estate, it was enough to have set me up in life. How could he choose to spend it all on his girlfriend's kitchen and convert her loft into a 5th bedroom with ensuite for her teenage DS to live in, even though he'd had a perfectly big bedroom in the first place, and even though she had a perfectly nice kitchen in the first place, she just fancied an expensive upgrade, how could he choose to spend his inheritance on those things, and to take her and her DC on twice yearly luxurious holidays where I was never invited, and not give his own daughter a single, solitary penny?
I'm so fu**ing angry with him I could scream.

Ok so scream.

Then you need to move on.

How is getting angry making your situation better? Is it helping fix your home?

WillYouPutYourCoatOn · 15/02/2024 22:09

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 22:04

I know, but that's the weird thing.
If my relatives and DH's relatives had nothing to leave, if they all lived in rented homes, or if their homes were sold to pay for care home fees to ensure they were looked after, then I wouldn't feel any bitterness.
I'm bitter because my own DF sat there nodding in agreement with his mother when she instructed him to give me a quarter of her estate, it was enough to have set me up in life. How could he choose to spend it all on his girlfriend's kitchen and convert her loft into a 5th bedroom with ensuite for her teenage DS to live in, even though he'd had a perfectly big bedroom in the first place, and even though she had a perfectly nice kitchen in the first place, she just fancied an expensive upgrade, how could he choose to spend his inheritance on those things, and to take her and her DC on twice yearly luxurious holidays where I was never invited, and not give his own daughter a single, solitary penny?
I'm so fu**ing angry with him I could scream.

Ok, but it's not your bitterness or lack of inheritance that explains why two working professionals in a "tiny" house, with no childcare costs can't afford to fix a bath. Or a coat from a charity shop.

That's your issue. Focus there. Don't deflect everything on to a lack of inheritance. Or... Did you over spend prematurely thinking you were receiving this inheritance and now you're buggered.

And again, as many have asked, do you not get DLA for DC?

Letstrythatagaineh · 15/02/2024 22:09

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.

Can I ask, are you receiving DLA or PIP for each DC?

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 22:16

I have never looked in to DLA.
I assume we are not entitled to any assistance because we both work.

OP posts:
Noideawwhatsoccuring · 15/02/2024 22:21

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 22:16

I have never looked in to DLA.
I assume we are not entitled to any assistance because we both work.

You never looked at DLA but assumed that it’s not dependent on your income?

Was sort of range do you and your husband earn to be at the top of the pay scale in a professional job but also have no money?

Where does your money go?

ruhroh · 15/02/2024 22:21

tara66 · 15/02/2024 22:01

not read many PP but have you tried to fix bath with diy ?- get some epoxy filler from amazon.. See google how to do it etc. Re. new carpet you can get ''off cuts'' for lower prices etc.

Yeah to add to my earlier post, we attempt simple DIY all the time (a bit crappily but good enough), again as well-earning professional graduates just trying to cope with COL pressures...

No way 60k or less would have set you up for life... You're 2 graduate professionals with relatively high outgoings (mortgage, working part time, reno work instead of attempting simple DIY, multiple SEN kids), not 2 homeless beggars. The COL crisis is biting everyone badly.

Really not doing an MN pile-on, but even if you'd received the £60k or less I don't think your life would be that nice OP, as you sound like you don't really take simple actions to make your life better, and prefer to stew over trivial things like other people's renovations? I really feel like in your hands, such a sum would be long gone on the ensuites and hallway etc you obsess over.

TwoBlueFish · 15/02/2024 22:21

Please look into applying for DLA https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children And check to see if you’re entitled to any UC (if you’re not now then check again if your kids get awarded DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children

Help for children under 16 with disabilities - DLA rate, eligibility, how to apply, claim form.

https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children

ArgyMcBargy · 15/02/2024 22:21

DLA isn't means tested, it is to cover the additional cost of having children with additional needs. Can you also get an OT assessment of your house, a Disabled Facilities Grant will cover the cost of adaptations to your home. You can self refer to your local council for an OT assessment, and Scope can help to complete a DLA application.
I understand your frustration, you should absolutely have enough money from both working full time to not need inheritance (30hours a week is classed as full time).

WillYouPutYourCoatOn · 15/02/2024 22:23

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 22:16

I have never looked in to DLA.
I assume we are not entitled to any assistance because we both work.

OP this could be anywhere from £600 to much more per month and it's not means tested.

You've spent so long being consumed by bitterness, you've let your actual life and what you should be doing fly over your head.

Please, stop being a victim of others, and take responsibility for your own life. It's like everything is doomed for all eternity because your father didn't give you 1/4 of a house years ago.

DH and I are due huge inheritance. But equally, DF might hit 90, find a leggy blonde and run off into the sunset and leave the lot to her. And that's life. Would I be royally fucked off? Yes. Would I let it ruin my life?? God no. We live and plan as if we will get nothing and anything above is a bonus.

ruhroh · 15/02/2024 22:25

Also if you're both truly earning at the top of your field for your professional careers that took years of post uni to train for, and yet you're living in such desperate straits, something is really wrong... Could you look at a different career transition? How are your industry colleagues coping?

Again, even hypothetically, your inheritance probably wouldn't even reach 100k so you do need to have some sort of bigger plan for life, no?

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 22:29

ruhroh · 15/02/2024 22:21

Yeah to add to my earlier post, we attempt simple DIY all the time (a bit crappily but good enough), again as well-earning professional graduates just trying to cope with COL pressures...

No way 60k or less would have set you up for life... You're 2 graduate professionals with relatively high outgoings (mortgage, working part time, reno work instead of attempting simple DIY, multiple SEN kids), not 2 homeless beggars. The COL crisis is biting everyone badly.

Really not doing an MN pile-on, but even if you'd received the £60k or less I don't think your life would be that nice OP, as you sound like you don't really take simple actions to make your life better, and prefer to stew over trivial things like other people's renovations? I really feel like in your hands, such a sum would be long gone on the ensuites and hallway etc you obsess over.

Edited

Why do you keep on about £60,000??? Where have you got this from???
It would have been quadruple that.
Why do you keep saying 60k???

OP posts:
StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 22:31

ruhroh · 15/02/2024 22:25

Also if you're both truly earning at the top of your field for your professional careers that took years of post uni to train for, and yet you're living in such desperate straits, something is really wrong... Could you look at a different career transition? How are your industry colleagues coping?

Again, even hypothetically, your inheritance probably wouldn't even reach 100k so you do need to have some sort of bigger plan for life, no?

Yeah you're right.
Something is really wrong.
What's wrong, is the truly horribly shit pay the NHS pays its staff which in no way reflects the years of training and incredibly hard, draining work we do.

OP posts:
crew2022 · 15/02/2024 22:31

Sorry you're in this situation it sounds really tough.
But I don't think anyone can rely on inheritance. 'Mine' (well it wasn't mine, it was my parents money) was all spent on care home fees in the end.
Are there practical things you can do now:
Move to a cheaper area?
Change jobs for more pay?
Get an interest only mortgage for a few years?
Sounds like you need a break from being under financial pressure.
Good luck OP Flowers

Noideawwhatsoccuring · 15/02/2024 22:33

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 22:31

Yeah you're right.
Something is really wrong.
What's wrong, is the truly horribly shit pay the NHS pays its staff which in no way reflects the years of training and incredibly hard, draining work we do.

The fact that you don’t want to give an indication as to what you earn suggests that you know, as a couple you earn quite alot and this all doesn’t add up.

Either you are adding bits in about how poor you are or try and get more sympathy or you have huge debts, that aren’t your mortgage and have ended up here Through poor money management.

Your grandmother had a house worth almost a million pounds but never bothered with a will?

StillAtDusk · 15/02/2024 22:35

Just looked at DLA and looks like it doesn't apply to kids who are in mainstream school.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread