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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DP only wants to eat luxury food but doesn’t bring a luxury wage?

326 replies

Stargreystar · 02/01/2025 00:20

I earn well, 6 figures and my DP is a tradie earning circa 30k a year.

He seems to think just because I earn well he should only eat luxury food from m&s. We are not married yet but he discussed getting a ‘pre-op‘ which I can only assume means a prenup. However he has no assets or money so it’s merely to give him what I’ve earned.

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 02/01/2025 04:10

Lavenderandbrown · 02/01/2025 00:35

A sahm dad is his dream and he’s using your apple pay while living rent and utility free? COME ON OP wise up! Can’t you feel yourself sinking to the very bottom of the sea with this anchor around your neck?

Yes, this.

mathanxiety · 02/01/2025 04:12

Stargreystar · 02/01/2025 00:36

I’ve lost respect for him over time. He can’t communicate, a simple discussion turns into ‘if you want to debate get with a lawyer’ or the silent treatment.

This alone would be enough to signal the end of the relationship.

Come on @StStargreystar - can you really not see the red flags here?

Mummyoflittledragon · 02/01/2025 04:13

I really hope you get rid of this man, he’s ruining your self esteem. Just because he was good to you when really traumatised, that doesn’t give him the right to access a meal ticket for life.

He’s using your weaknesses against you to draw you in op. I also think he’s being abusive. Have you heard of the abuse cycle op. I wonder if he uses these techniques. As you become more aware, you may see other behaviour. Abuse doesn’t have to be physical. https://www.verywellhealth.com/cycle-of-abuse-5210940

I’m shocked and not actually surprised that some men purposely target traumatised rich women @PyongyangKipperbang.

What Is the Cycle of Abuse and How Do You End It?

The cycle of abuse has four stages: tension, incident, reconciliation, and calm. Learn more about how to recognize abuse and escape the cycle here.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/cycle-of-abuse-5210940

mathanxiety · 02/01/2025 04:15

Stargreystar · 02/01/2025 01:03

He was kind to me when I was going through a hard time with my mental health and I fell for him. I have some teen/early adolescent trauma and he knows all about that, although sometimes will use it in an argument - for example ‘ah this is why they say to stay away from the trauma girls’ but I’m never shouting or offensive as I hate loud confrontation, I’m just very assertive in my expectations and he doesn’t like that.

Oh sweetest Jesus come and squeeeeeezus...

PivotPivotmakingmargaritas · 02/01/2025 04:21

Surely you must be able to remove Apple Pay off someone else’s phone without access to their phone - does someone here know and explain easily to op?

ZippyCat · 02/01/2025 04:26

He wants expensive meals and you pay for it plus be a stay at home dad for future children wow 😳 please don't have children with this man seriously you can see it yourself he's using you and your income or you wouldn't have posted here get rid ,

PeloMom · 02/01/2025 04:44

Stargreystar · 02/01/2025 00:41

He is good with little ones and he’s good at tidying/cleaning without needing prompting. That is the one thing I do know is I would always come home to a clean house.

It’s cheaper to get a cleaner. And a hi tech dildo. You’ll achieve as much upside for you without the downside of living with this waste of space.

PeloMom · 02/01/2025 04:47

@Stargreystar @PivotPivotmakingmargaritas

DP only wants to eat luxury food but doesn’t bring a luxury wage?
Lafee · 02/01/2025 05:03

Weefreetiffany · 02/01/2025 00:25

Why would you marry him if you dont like or respect him?

Hmmm, I don't think he respects her, tbf.

Lafee · 02/01/2025 05:19

ThinWomansBrain · 02/01/2025 00:28

if his behaviour to date isn't enough of a red flag and you still plan to get married, get a pre nup agreement drawn up that protects your assets. and also come to an agreement on how you will split expenses while married.

From what I've heard and read, pre nups don't mean much at all if we are talking about the U.K.

OP, just because the house was yours before you met this person, I'm not sure that equals him not contributing pro rata according to his wage or income.

I do think it's a mistake for you to give him access to your Apple Pay.. I do realise that some couples can be comfortable with that arrangement, but you have pointed out that he's using it to likely fund stuff he wouldn't think about purchasing, if he only was living off his own income.

It really does come across like he's happy to spend YOUR money.

If your source of income should ever reduce, or stop, would he be just as free and easy with you using HIS Apple Pay?

For your own sake, please think hard.
Maybe you don't want to be seen as a skinflint, and he recognises that he can get to you by intimating that you're "tight".

Just because you earn a good wage, why would you not want to economise?
The money you save could be put into investment for your future days.
Ok, if you occasionally fancy lobster and caviar and champagne... go for it, but wilful spending by anyone is distasteful, but when someone else disrespects your income, it's falling to say the least.

Maybe you're a thoroughly lovely person of whom he knows, won't say "no" or deny him.

Think think think..... and respect yourself.

mrpinkwhistlescat · 02/01/2025 05:25

I couldn’t get past the pre op comment.
He’s a dolt.

Mercurysinretrograde · 02/01/2025 05:25

Ah no OP, don’t settle for this. Most men will wait until you’re married to disappoint you but this one is doing it before you even get married. It is a long and lonely haul being the breadwinner and to have a partner who contributes equally is important to maintain balance in a relationship.

standononefoot · 02/01/2025 05:33

Jesus.

Break up with him, hire a cleaner and buy a vibrator.

Your life will be better for it.

Then counselling so you can understand why you didn't realise you deserved better.

Then dating to find someone else, who is ready to be your equal.

Maray1967 · 02/01/2025 06:16

Dotto · 02/01/2025 00:46

Disagree. That's fucking loads to most people.

Depends how much his debt repayments are…

OP, this needs a frank discussion which he needs to engage reasonably with, not shoot down with pathetic phrases. And yes, take him off your Apple Pay right now. I earn considerably less than my DH and I would not dream of just using him for money in this way. We agree how we’re spending what we have. This bloke is just making a whole load of presumptions, all weighted in his favour.

HomeTheatreSystem · 02/01/2025 06:24

OP re your Apple pay on his phone, just Google how to remove it remotely from his phone. I think you can do it via iCloud but sort it quickly. Less hassle than having to get a new card sorted.

On him...

He seems to think just because I earn well he should only eat luxury food from m&s.

You are on different pages here: if he does this when you have kids, your food bill is going to be off the charts. As you said, a treat once a week is fine, more than that is not.

when I try to save a lot for future children and he’s quite happy to splash the cash as long as it’s not on his card.

So he wants kids but is happy to waste the money you're trying to save for them? He's bad with money.

I do not care that there is a significant wage gap, just that he uses my card to pay for his more expensive tastes but when he uses his card he’ll go to cheaper shops

Of course! He sees you as HIS sugar mummy, not the mother of his future kids.

I will suggest homemade meals from scratch and I enjoy cooking, but if he finishes work first he’ll use my Apple Pay and purchase dine in meals for £15 and stuff for his work lunch the next day. When I bring it up, he says ah stop being so tight.

He's used to being a spendthrift which is why he has debt. He hasn't changed. If he wants to be a SAHD he should know how to cook decent, healthy meals for his family. Not wanting to fritter away up to £75 a week on convenience meals is not being "tight".

he discussed getting a ‘pre-op‘
Thick much?

He can’t communicate, a simple discussion turns into ‘if you want to debate get with a lawyer’ or the silent treatment.

he will just roll his eyes repeatedly at me and he doesn’t take anyone’s POV other than his own.

No healthy happy relationship exists where your partner treats a discussion with their partner like this. You will never be able to fruitfully address anything significant with this man. How do you expect a relationship to thrive when it's with someone like this?

I have some teen/early adolescent trauma and he knows all about that, although sometimes will use it in an argument - for example ‘ah this is why they say to stay away from the trauma girls

So, happy to use your horrible teen experiences against you. Abusive pieces of shit do this, not good solid life partners.

Debts are pre moving in together, he was renting alone and ran up debts with the utilities. I’ve not ever said the whole wage goes on repayments, but he does need money for his hobbies and for leisure.

So he's sponging off you then as he has insufficient money to meet his obligations (like feeding himself) before spending on non-essentials. If he can't look after himself properly how do you expect him to take care of your kids? A 6 figure salary is not a bottomless money pit. Kids are very expensive without a spendthrift in the picture

He is good with little ones and he’s good at tidying/cleaning without needing prompting. That is the one thing I do know is I would always come home to a clean house.

He's going to turn out to be the most fucking expensive cleaner with a golden dick in existence.

He wants children, and wants to be a stay at home dad as that’s his dream and will save on childcare.

You can see how his dream is going to pan out and your nightmare will begin. You might well "save" on childcare but it will cost you dearly every which way in the long run.

Munkypuppy · 02/01/2025 06:33

OP i dont even know where to start, it's quicker to say I have seen NO redeeming features in this man from anything i've read, he even ruins his being 'kind' to you by using it against you! I'd like to put him in touch with my cocklodging ex husband because he needs to hand the trophy over to the new winner 🤣

I'm the breadwinner here at the moment and wouldnt begrudge DP m&s food BUT, he has a MUCH better attitude than this guy, and there's been times the role is reversed and he's supported me...its just all clearly more respectful.

Stargreystar · 02/01/2025 06:34

I removed him from my Apple Pay earlier this morning. As I said I’m grateful for the responses and I will be taking steps to remove myself from the relationship.

Thankfully as every time I mention any issues I have he will either give the silent treatment or run to his mums for the night, I shouldn’t have too much trouble asking for him to leave. He might be using me for money but he isn’t the type to put me in any harm.

OP posts:
LittleBigHead · 02/01/2025 06:39

for example ‘ah this is why they say to stay away from the trauma girls’

From this, and other things you say he’s said, he sounds like a pretty old-fashioned sexist man. Yes, he’s got different ideas about male roles, but he sounds contemptuous of you and women more generally.

And frankly, he doesn’t sound like your intellectual equal. He’s not prepared to discuss things with you , he uses ad hominem remarks eg on “trauma girls” and he’s dismissive of women as a sex.

He won’t discuss these big things about how you two make a life and a family together.

Don’t marry him ! it should be better than this at this point.

WinterCrow · 02/01/2025 06:39

Stargreystar · 02/01/2025 06:34

I removed him from my Apple Pay earlier this morning. As I said I’m grateful for the responses and I will be taking steps to remove myself from the relationship.

Thankfully as every time I mention any issues I have he will either give the silent treatment or run to his mums for the night, I shouldn’t have too much trouble asking for him to leave. He might be using me for money but he isn’t the type to put me in any harm.

Best of luck. I mean it. Flowers

You're not the first woman and you won't be the last in this kind of situation. But if you can put a stop to it asap, you'll be far happier for it long-term. I'm very pleased that you listened to the good advice on here.

Candy24 · 02/01/2025 06:40

Stargreystar · 02/01/2025 06:34

I removed him from my Apple Pay earlier this morning. As I said I’m grateful for the responses and I will be taking steps to remove myself from the relationship.

Thankfully as every time I mention any issues I have he will either give the silent treatment or run to his mums for the night, I shouldn’t have too much trouble asking for him to leave. He might be using me for money but he isn’t the type to put me in any harm.

Im sorry it is the end but honestly proud of you. It will be hard but so worth it. You need a real man that wants to care for you and not use you.

ThunderLeaf · 02/01/2025 06:41

Stargreystar · 02/01/2025 00:26

I will suggest homemade meals from scratch and I enjoy cooking, but if he finishes work first he’ll use my Apple Pay and purchase dine in meals for £15 and stuff for his work lunch the next day. When I bring it up, he says ah stop being so tight.

That's not right. And I'm sure you know it. Sorry your in this situation x

daisychain01 · 02/01/2025 06:42

Stargreystar · 02/01/2025 00:26

I will suggest homemade meals from scratch and I enjoy cooking, but if he finishes work first he’ll use my Apple Pay and purchase dine in meals for £15 and stuff for his work lunch the next day. When I bring it up, he says ah stop being so tight.

Well more fool you for giving him access to your Apple Pay! Change your credentials asap.

why do that and then come on here grumbling about him spending your money on luxury food!

sorry I know I sound harsh but women are their own worst enemies when they have a cocklodger and enable their spongeing.

ETA just seen your update, glad you're sorting it out, and hopefully changing your approach in future 👍

Candy24 · 02/01/2025 06:42

daisychain01 · 02/01/2025 06:42

Well more fool you for giving him access to your Apple Pay! Change your credentials asap.

why do that and then come on here grumbling about him spending your money on luxury food!

sorry I know I sound harsh but women are their own worst enemies when they have a cocklodger and enable their spongeing.

ETA just seen your update, glad you're sorting it out, and hopefully changing your approach in future 👍

Edited

maybe read update?

Eviebeans · 02/01/2025 06:44

Perhaps he was right when he said pre op - I would definitely be looking to surgically remove him

ThankULord · 02/01/2025 06:45

Stargreystar · 02/01/2025 00:32

The set up is fine, it’s just I feel a bit used when I try to save a lot for future children and he’s quite happy to splash the cash as long as it’s not on his card.

He wants children, and wants to be a stay at home dad as that’s his dream and will save on childcare.

I haven't read the rest of your posts (if there is any) or any PP after this your post. So apologies if this has already been said.

OP, why? Why this guy? My initial, second and third reactions reading your posts were 'OP, C'mon!'
Your 6 figure wage is sort of irrelevant. He is using you. If you weren't a 6 figure wage-earner, he will still be all 'take take take'. He is a cocklodger. Fullstop.

How long has this dream of being a stay at home dad been? OP, please open your eyes.
Let's say it is a real genuine dream that existed before he met you, he is not behaving as one who would be able to parent together. He ignores your concerns and puts you down at the same time.
He shows no regards to you, he doesn't appear to have any gratitude attitude-wise to be fortunate to be in a situation where he could achieve this dream of his.

Cocklodger stay-at-home-dad dream - who will still have the children in childcare, then he will be out all day with mates and you get back from work to sort dinner, sort the kids, tidy the house, laundry etc.

Why do you want this man?