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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Borrowing money

9 replies

BurnoutGP · 28/05/2024 21:08

I have a big expense over the next few years. Unavoidable really. And have had an expensive year. Massive tax bill for various reasons.
Am very close to much younger DSIS. I am very much rhe fixer/supporter in the family and find it very hard to ask for help.
DSis is having a very tough time wirh her DH who I usually get on very well with. I have been very supportive and had hours of calls with her.
When the unexpected expense became known her DH offered to give me some towards it. A small % but would be hugely helpful this year.
We discussed it a few times and even when they came close to splitting she said he would still help.
Time has got closet to when I need the money. I didn't feel comfortable calling or messaging DBIL directly as it felt disloyal to DSIS but equally felt rude to not speak to him directly. Together with really hating asking for help.
So I made a group chat and said sorry for bad timing could I take you up on the offer please.
And DSIS has really gone off on me. Saying I should have rung her first to discuss it with her. Saying she doesn't want something else to be beholden to him. And much along the same lines.
I apologised for getting it wrong and tried to explain why I did it that way.
I didn't think it needed discussing first.....I thought it was agreed.
I tried to call her all week. But she was too busy.
I have been super busy. Working many more hours to pay for this. To pay my tax bill off. I am exhausted and stressed. I am a single parent. She is really my only close family.
I am devastated. I feel utterly alone. Again. It took a lot for me to ask. And I feel its been thrown in my face. She even said she was going to put it on her credit card for me (I can do that). It's not her debt I am the one who would owe him something. But i know she is stressed and struggling.
So AIBU? I really can't see the wood for the trees.

.

OP posts:
JurassicFantastic · 28/05/2024 21:13

Sorry OP but I would be upset in your sister's situation and would feel we should have discussed it first.

I hope you get it sorted.

NoSquirrels · 28/05/2024 21:18

Sounds messy. Did BIL offer money to you directly, or did the offer come via your DSIS?

I’m sorry you’re going through financial stress. Have you spoken with HMRC about the tax bill - they can come to a longer term payment plan if you need more breathing room.

NoSquirrels · 28/05/2024 21:22

It took a lot for me to ask. And I feel its been thrown in my face.

Appreciate that you find it hard to ask, but nothing has been ‘thrown in your face’ - you need to not speak about it this way to yourself. Most of us find it awkward to ask for things and money most of all. It’s not unreasonable that your sister felt upset about this. You’ve apologised and that’s all you can do.

DeedlessIndeed · 28/05/2024 21:23

I know why you did what you did, however I would also be upset if I was your DSIS.

Sounds like their relationship is ending in a messy, drawn-out affair. The emotional stress of disentangling all of that is enough. Not with a family member borrowing money from my STBEX...

Also, and this may 100% not be the case in your situation, but I would also be a bit peeved if my sister went to my partner for a loan instead of me, even if everything was smooth sailing. Even if he'd offered. Not sure why, but I'd be annoyed and hurt. Maybe that says more about me than either of them!

BurnoutGP · 28/05/2024 21:50

Thanks all I guess it is messy and I didn't deal with it in the best way. I don't think she did either.
Just to clarify. I didn't ask either of them. In any way. It was offered. Directly by DBIL. Previously I would have just messaged him directly.
The timing is terrible but completely out of my control.

OP posts:
BurnoutGP · 28/05/2024 21:52

NoSquirrels · 28/05/2024 21:18

Sounds messy. Did BIL offer money to you directly, or did the offer come via your DSIS?

I’m sorry you’re going through financial stress. Have you spoken with HMRC about the tax bill - they can come to a longer term payment plan if you need more breathing room.

I am on a time to pay. So am struggling to pay that. Plus save for next year's tax bill plus this unexpected very large expense.
Perfect storm.

OP posts:
TheCheeseThief · 28/05/2024 21:59

Maybe they are worried you won't be able to pay it back? Or she really hasn't asked your BIL.

BurnoutGP · 28/05/2024 22:02

TheCheeseThief · 28/05/2024 21:59

Maybe they are worried you won't be able to pay it back? Or she really hasn't asked your BIL.

It was actually offered as a gift not a loan so not expecting it to be paid back. I have said I will pay it back.

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 28/05/2024 23:27

If you didn’t ask, and you would not have asked either DSIS or BIL if it hadn’t been offered, and if it’s just a small part of what you need, then I’d back out of any obligation, if I were you.

Sometimes relationships are worth a higher cost. If that’s some credit card interest Vs your close relationship with your sister then that’s the cost. That’s how I’d see it.

Hard to know really without more details though. Appreciate whatever situation you’ve found yourself in it’s causing you stress, so if there are ways to alleviate the financial burden another way, not through borrowing off family, then I hope you can explore them.

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