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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to leave a man because of financial reasons

307 replies

Whatwouldyoudo26 · 28/12/2024 20:27

(Apologies with how long this is, trying to sum it all up)

I've been with my boyfriend for almost a year now.

He's funny, affectionate, social, good communication etc. I'm just struggling with the financial situation that is making me want to break it off.

So I'm 26 and he's 40. He quickly moved in with me when he didn't actually have his own place.. not planned but just happened.

He promised to pay towards rent, only did for less than 2 months. He was then asked to leave because he kept promising payment that never came.

Fast forward and we're still seeing each other, only it's nice to have my home back.

He then took my car over a toll bridge and didn't even have the £2.60 to come back over it again - I then got lumbard with the £60 fine. I kept asking for him to pay, he never did.

We went for a meal with his friends that he said he was paying for. I ended up having to foot the bill with him saying he'll pay me the next day as the money hasn't gone in his account or something, he never did.

He then promised he will pay for a set of nails in return for a big favour I did for him and nothing despite having asked since. This might sound trivial but it's the whole saying things and never going through with any of it.

He showed me where we were going to go on a family holiday (I have one child, he has two) - in the end his children's mum took them instead because she probably knows what he's like!!

He showed my parents this beautiful hotel he said he was going to take me to as my birthday treat back in July. Still waiting. Although before this he got me excited showing me a different trip up country and enjoyed telling everyone about it without delivering on it.
Heck, there's even a restaurant he said he will take me to for our first date.. still waiting.

I do feel he's got good intentions but I'm not sure how much longer I can go on with a carrot dangling. He hasn't written any of these things off, it's still in the pipeline because they cost money. Fair enough I thought as I like him for him (clearly not his wallet!) but it doesn't stop me feeling let down and disheartened by it all.

I feel like I've spent the year of our relationship just waiting for things to happen. Coming to me excited about things and holidays only for nothing to ever materialise - I'd rather him just not mention it at all than get my hopes up.

Now he wants to book for us to go to a hotel for New Year's Eve. Of course I would love this but with him owing me money (and other people money), I'd feel more respected if he sends that back to me than keep splashing the cash. Honestly I think I'm going to feel rather resentful if I do accept the hotel offer before he has paid me back what I'm well overdue.

Do I just end things here? I have quite a list accumulating and I keep holding on for the best but not sure how much longer I can carry on.

YABU - you like him as a person and I should be more understanding over the current financial situation.

YANBU - it's not fair to feel consistently let down through empty promises.

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 28/12/2024 20:31

He’s a freeloader. Total up how much he owes you. Send it to him.

MontyNojangles · 28/12/2024 20:31

YANBU. There is no man more in love than one who doesn't have a bed to sleep in. I'm sorry OP, I think you know you're being taken for a mug here.

witheringrowan · 28/12/2024 20:31

Just dump him, he's a waste of space who is taking advantage of you.

Hye000 · 28/12/2024 20:31

What does he do for a living?
Does he work at all?
Does he pay for his kids?

Helloitsmej · 28/12/2024 20:31

I feel like you know what to do. Just cut your losses pack his bags and boot him out.

TwinkleLights24 · 28/12/2024 20:32

Dump hm and find someone who can afford to have fun with you.

MotherOfRatios · 28/12/2024 20:32

You're too young to be wasting time with a 40 year old like this

LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 28/12/2024 20:33

He's a freeloader

Donkeyfromshrek · 28/12/2024 20:33

Its not the financial situation that is the issue. Its the fact that you can't trust a word that he says.

sweetpeaorchestra · 28/12/2024 20:34

He’s 40 and he can’t manage his income enough to have £3 to pay a toll fine, so you get stung. Yes you have to end this relationship

Dal101 · 28/12/2024 20:34

I didn’t read it all and am still saying you need to ditch this old ass leech.

VickyEadieofThigh · 28/12/2024 20:37

Come on, you KNOW the answer. He's never going to change and he'll carry on being a freeloading twat as long as you stay with him.

Cut him loose and find a better man.

Helloitsmej · 28/12/2024 20:37

Honestly OP you are 26 and you're dating an older man with no money who moved in with you very quickly. Dump dump dump. Why are you even with him?

Psychologymam · 28/12/2024 20:38

You’re going to end up paying for that hotel if you accept.

smilehello · 28/12/2024 20:39

It will only get worse, you need to get rid!

BrightYellowStar · 28/12/2024 20:40

I am genuinely amazed you feel the need to ask!

Dump ASAP.

ThejoyofNC · 28/12/2024 20:40

Oh this one is a no brainer. Anyone can play nice OP, he's a user.

crashbandicooty · 28/12/2024 20:40

The audacity of him

HPandthelastwish · 28/12/2024 20:41

Let me introduce you to the MN term 'Cocklodger'.

You have an A1 grade specimen shacked up with you - much like other household parasites it is time to take action, deal with the infestation and go your separate ways.

He may well have good intentions, and is very happy to spend other people's money but has it occured to you that he is stealing money from your child. Anything he takes and doesn't pay back is money that should have been spent on your child. Think about that for a minute.

Snowmanscarf · 28/12/2024 20:41

You’ve got the ick. A 40 year old should be in control if his finances, and not relying on his gf, friends etc. Does he work? You’re definitely on different pages when it comes to money, so there’s no future in this.

You’re definantly the mature one in this relationship.

(And well done on evicting him so quickly when he didn’t pay his way. )

Allthehorsesintheworld · 28/12/2024 20:42

I do feel he's got good intentions

No , he doesn’t. It’s worked every time for him —- free meals, you doing a favour for free, using your car. Why would he change? He’s on to a winner.

Dump. Block on everything. He’ll move on and try the same thing again.

OooPourUsACupLove · 28/12/2024 20:43

He's manipulated your laudable principle to not let lack of money dictate how you feel about your partner into you feeling like you can never raise money issues with him.

Maybe he's not aware he is doing this, but whether he is doing it knowingly or not doesn't matter, the impact on you is the same, you are bearing an unfair share of the relationships money burden and feeling like you can't ask for a fairer deal. That's not ok.

Either get rid of him, or have one last open conversation without allowing your concern for his feeling bad about money guilt you into not saying honestly how unfair this situation is, give him one chance to fix it with no where to hide by claiming you didn't tell him what he needed to change, and if (when?) he doesn't step up, get rid.

itsmylife7 · 28/12/2024 20:43

I only had to read the first few lines.

He's a 40year old loser.

Your 26 so go and have fun with someone who'll not leach off you.

ButterCrackers · 28/12/2024 20:45

Time for him to pay you back and for you to find a partner who isn’t sponging off you.

CatPhonePot · 28/12/2024 20:45

Now he wants to book for us to go to a hotel for New Year's Eve.

You know he won’t be paying for this, yes?