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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for the money

26 replies

Wholetthatgoatin · 10/09/2025 20:34

DH and I saw a musician on a TV chat show. They mentioned them touring, and as they’re not peak fame yet, it’s quite cheap and local. We decided to go. I booked and paid for tickets and booked us a hotel. I didn’t pay the flexible rate as didn’t think we needed to.

Fast forward to today and we were talking about it over text, he wanted to check there wasn’t a date clash. And then it came about that he had forgotten to book the next day off, and he is now tied into something with his job for that entire week that he absolutely cannot get out of. Not even sure if he will make it to the gig. He was very apologetic and I said ‘well, that’s the hotel money down the pan’. He came home with flowers and a bottle of wine as an apology and said that’s lovely, but doesn’t quite cover the hotel! He is now furious that I’m asking for it back as it ‘balances out’.

Im fine with it balancing out, but not when I’ve lost money because of his fuck up. He pays for our holidays and mortgage and seriously overpays the mortgage. I pay the bills as well as supporting DD thru Uni.

Am I the twat? He’s now talking about completely separating all finances eg if we want to holiday then I pay my half etc. I know lots of couples just have it in one pot, but it has always worked for us as it is. I was happy to pay when we were going, but not if I lose the money because he’s too dim to book the leave.

OP posts:
Wholetthatgoatin · 10/09/2025 20:37

Thread disappearing before it’s even got going you busy lot!

OP posts:
FairFuming · 10/09/2025 20:40

I wouldn't ask for the money I'd just go by myself or take a friend

WaterfallSounds · 10/09/2025 20:43

How much are you talking about?
And if he pays the mortgage and holidays it sounds as if he already pays a lot.

DoubtfulCat · 10/09/2025 20:43

I think I’d accept the apology and try to recoup some of the money by selling the trip on Facebook or something, to be honest. If it was a genuine mistake on his part, I can see why he would be hurt and angry that an apology isn’t enough.

Of course, if this sort of thoughtlessness with your money is a familiar pattern with him, that makes it a bit different.

tilypu · 10/09/2025 20:47

It doesn't have to be wasted - you can still go. Make a day of it beforehand doing whatever you want to, enjoy the gig. Have a lovely breakfast somewhere nice.

The fact that he can't go doesn't mean that you can't.

Wholetthatgoatin · 10/09/2025 20:47

ive just tried to explain to him - if we had been able to go then I was happy to pay for the gig and hotel, because yes, it’s swings and roundabouts. But he screws up, and he’s not even offered to take half the hit. Yes, he pays a lot, but so do I in household bills and paying daughter’s rent at uni and living expenses.

OP posts:
Whaleandsnail6 · 10/09/2025 20:49

Why don't you just go anyway? I don't understand why you were happy to pay until he couldn't go?

The money has already been spent so you may as well use the hotel instead of wasting it.

Childanddogmama · 10/09/2025 20:54

Why don't you just go anyway? You don't have to go to the gig on your own but you may aswell make use of the hotel. He might like to pay for a spa treatment or similar to make up for his error!

MixedBananas · 10/09/2025 20:56

Take a friend or your uni child or family member. Bit dramatic

SallySuperTrooper · 10/09/2025 20:58

. He pays for our holidays and mortgage and seriously overpays the mortgage. I pay the bills as well as supporting DD thru Uni

His money is family money to.pay for things, your money is your money then?
Joint Dd?
Do you work equal hours?

Wholetthatgoatin · 10/09/2025 21:06

Uni child is away….at Uni! Family are either 400m away or overseas. But fair enough, if I am making too much of it or am out of order, no problem.

No drip feed, all good. It’s nice to have MN for a sense check sometimes.

OP posts:
tilypu · 10/09/2025 21:09

SallySuperTrooper · 10/09/2025 20:58

. He pays for our holidays and mortgage and seriously overpays the mortgage. I pay the bills as well as supporting DD thru Uni

His money is family money to.pay for things, your money is your money then?
Joint Dd?
Do you work equal hours?

What???

You see bills and supporting a child through uni as somehow the mother's personal expenditure? What?

tilypu · 10/09/2025 21:12

Wholetthatgoatin · 10/09/2025 21:06

Uni child is away….at Uni! Family are either 400m away or overseas. But fair enough, if I am making too much of it or am out of order, no problem.

No drip feed, all good. It’s nice to have MN for a sense check sometimes.

Live dangerously. Go alone.

Some of my favourite gigs are ones I went to on my own. I've met some fabulous people, had engaging conversations, and could engage with the music however I wanted, without compromise.

Aligirlbear · 10/09/2025 21:14

Why can’t you go on your own and enjoy the gig and a quiet night in the hotel ? No point wasting it and Yabu not to accept his apology and efforts to say sorry - it doesn’t have to be the same monetary value - don’t cut off your nose to spite your face, if he pushes for separate finances / equal sharing of costs you will be a long time regretting it.

DinoLil · 10/09/2025 21:14

Just go on your own!

Dartmoorcheffy · 10/09/2025 21:17

Go on your own or take a friend.

Ferrissia3 · 10/09/2025 21:22

Just checking that some of this issue isn't related to perhaps differing interpretations of "we decided to go"? I know some people have a more casual approach to this, and I would be double checking possible clashes with my partner (and for myself) before actually booking something that I had agreed to in the moment. Of course, you'll know how this typically works in your partnership.

Also, for what it's worth, I always pay for flexibility - mostly because of possible illness.

Wholetthatgoatin · 10/09/2025 21:45

Ferrissia3 · 10/09/2025 21:22

Just checking that some of this issue isn't related to perhaps differing interpretations of "we decided to go"? I know some people have a more casual approach to this, and I would be double checking possible clashes with my partner (and for myself) before actually booking something that I had agreed to in the moment. Of course, you'll know how this typically works in your partnership.

Also, for what it's worth, I always pay for flexibility - mostly because of possible illness.

He didn’t have the work thing in the calendar when we booked everything. He just completely forgot to book the day off, and once the work thing is there nothing can move it unless they are literally bedridden..

Im going to buzz a couple of friends and stay in the hotel regardless

OP posts:
SallySuperTrooper · 10/09/2025 21:47

tilypu · 10/09/2025 21:09

What???

You see bills and supporting a child through uni as somehow the mother's personal expenditure? What?

Well op seems to?

tilypu · 10/09/2025 22:11

SallySuperTrooper · 10/09/2025 21:47

Well op seems to?

I'm really curious as to what brings you to that conclusion.

Wholetthatgoatin · 10/09/2025 22:38

SallySuperTrooper · 10/09/2025 21:47

Well op seems to?

It’s just the way it’s worked out with us. For a long time it was very imbalanced with me paying the lion’s share, prior to DHs income rising past mine. DH can get overtime, I can’t, and we are trying to pay the mortgage off in half the time left on it. It’s generally ok but I think I just felt pissed that I was losing out on all fronts. He didn’t help things by saying I should have reminded him.

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 10/09/2025 22:43

He made a simple error, he apologised and tried to make it up to you. Your finances usually balance out without sounding too transactional but yet this time you are making it that way like you are charging a mate you don’t really like. Life is too short to be petty about money with your spouse when you don’t need to. Move on.

Merryoldgoat · 10/09/2025 22:43

In the absence of real financial issues (gambling, compulsive shopping etc) I don’t understand not combining finances.

You are not working towards the same goal and inequity is inevitable.

We feel every hit and win equally and it feels like we’re a team.

TY78910 · 10/09/2025 23:51

ToKittyornottoKitty · 10/09/2025 22:43

He made a simple error, he apologised and tried to make it up to you. Your finances usually balance out without sounding too transactional but yet this time you are making it that way like you are charging a mate you don’t really like. Life is too short to be petty about money with your spouse when you don’t need to. Move on.

Thisssssss

SomewhatAnnoyed · 11/09/2025 04:20

Wholetthatgoatin · 10/09/2025 21:06

Uni child is away….at Uni! Family are either 400m away or overseas. But fair enough, if I am making too much of it or am out of order, no problem.

No drip feed, all good. It’s nice to have MN for a sense check sometimes.

Presumably he expected to help you drink the wine. Just sayin

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