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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

“Stop talking to me like one of your fucking patients”

118 replies

drmindful · 11/02/2026 18:06

Ive always earned more than my dp, but live well below my means. I studied at uni, and worked hard in lower paid roles whilst training to get to where I am now. I’m by no means an exceptional earner, but I earn a decent wage and have saved money from not wasting it on pointless stuff. I only earn around £300 more than Dp, but always (used to) have money at the end of the month

When we were about to get married he started asking me to lend him £30/40 until he got paid. This was usually because he’d spent a lot of money on takeaways or gaming stuff. I didn’t see an issue with this and at first he gave it back.

Then there was talk of “our money” and so I felt that as a couple there’s no “paying back” money owed.

In the last year alone, I must’ve given him around £2000 to cover his costs per month. Some of this is given back, but most of it isn’t. This month his car (finance) doubled in payment because he’d missed it twice, and I had to pay it (£1300) as otherwise we’d have no car. And then it broke down, so I had to dip into my savings and pay another £400. So in the last 2 weeks I’ve had to spend £1700 on his car. It’s a necessity for work for him. I work on a ward and get the bus to and from work.

He has £20 for the rest of this month, and no savings. He pays £300 for a gym membership and I have zero idea what he’s spent the rest of his money on besides a new coat.

So today we went to see a house. We are living with his dad at the moment, as I care for him. His dad has now got live in carers and so we’re in a position to move out.

It’s been a lot at his dads, I’ve been up in the night looking after him (dementia), it’s a two bed bungalow and me, Dp and DS3.5 had to share a room. It’s caused a lot of issues.

The house would cost us £1900 per month in rent. Before we viewed he said this was doable for him. So £950 each plus bills.

The landlord said it’s ready to move into at the end of this month (before Dp payday). I said I’d use my salary this month to cover the rent and he’d pay his half back when he got paid.

He then said “I don’t know how much I’m getting paid”, “nothing is risk free” and he cannot guarantee that there’ll be months when unexpected payments come up.

I said that wasn’t good enough and he needed to prioritise his payments to the house, and if he couldn’t then we can’t sign for it.

He speed off, hit his hand on the steering wheel repeatedly, said I speak to him like “one of your fucking patients” and “you always talk down to me”. I tried to explain I needed security when using more of my savings to secure a home for us. He said “do you think I don’t always put our family first?”

I held it together until we got home and then said I needed to go for a little walk. He asked me to be back in 5 minutes as he was off to his friends house an hour drive away to take him to an event tonight. When I got back he said “I’ll have the money” and then left. He won’t be back until gone midnight. So I’m just sat here crying.

AIBU to feel reluctant to put down this deposit?

OP posts:
drmindful · 11/02/2026 18:20

AnneLovesGilbert · 11/02/2026 18:20

WTF are you doing? Caring for his dad while working ft, paying for his games and takeaways, being spoken to like shit and even considering moving in?

You quietly slipped in mention of a child towards the end, are you both the parents or just you?

It’s our shared child.

OP posts:
Soooooo · 11/02/2026 18:22

I voted YABU. Yabu to even consider staying with this leech yet alone move in and marry him. Come on OP he is going to bleed you dry and this is only the beginning.

EmeraldDreams73 · 11/02/2026 18:22

Absolutely zero financial links with this man, OP. He'll bleed you dry and make it your fault.

Please don't give him anything else, don't marry him either. I assume your ds is his but I would be looking to take a massive step back from this man in every way you can. I'd be getting my ducks in a row - sounds like you have a good job and (with or without that!) you can do a LOT better for yourself and DS. 💐

RightOnTheEdge · 11/02/2026 18:22

Move out with your son and leave him at home with his Dad.
You would be crazy to move into a new place with him.

RunningJo · 11/02/2026 18:23

Absolutely do NOT move in with this man! Do NOT share finances or a lease/mortgage.

You don’t know what he spends his money on, and he isn’t taking paying rent seriously.

It may start off well, but I guarantee there will soon become months where he can’t pay all the rent, or he can but can’t pay towards bills or food.

He is happy to talk money when he wants to borrow some, but not when it’s about spending on your house / future. He sounds incredibly selfish & immature.
Find somewhere you can afford to rent by yourself. If you want to continue with the relationship, let him deal with his life costs, and you yours.

OP there are lots of red flags 🚩 in this, please don’t get financially tied to this man.

Moonnstarz · 11/02/2026 18:23

I agree with everyone else. I think you need to find your own place for you and your son. I wouldn't want to be sharing high costs of rent with someone so unreliable.
Look at what you might be entitled to as a lone parent.

Rhaidimiddim · 11/02/2026 18:24

Your approach to budgeting is to earn, spend what you need, then save what's left.

His approach to budgeting is to to earn and spend, then sponge off drmindful when the money runs out.

From your post, he sounds like he now feels entitled to your money, as well as his own. I don't believe he has any intention.of pulling his weight financially in the new home. F F S he can't even manage to keep his car - that he needs for his job - on the road.

You need to reprogramme yourself to think of your money and his money and stop pooling them, in your mind and in reality. If you don't he'll have you working double shifts to cover his shortfalls.

And don't marry him - he is more cocklodger than trustworthy partner.

Restlessdreams1994 · 11/02/2026 18:24

This is DARVO.

This guy is using you to bankroll his irresponsible lifestyle - you’re a parent/cashpoint to him, not a partner. Unfortunately being married means that if you continue to support him like this, he could potentially have a huge claim on your finances in the future, including your pension. I’ve seen it happen to other female doctors I know - their loser husbands leech off them for years and then when they finally divorce them, they claim that they have a right to continued financial support and get a fortune in the settlement.

Honestly I would rent a place of your own and divorce him now. This situation is not going to improve and the longer you wait, the more you will potentially lose.

Gollumscat · 11/02/2026 18:26

Please get out love, do you have any family? I know it's hard if you don't, but he's a controlling twat, he's using you, as is his father albeit unknowingly, get out now please, if you were my daughter I'd be driving you away from this fucker. You'll be fine ON YOUR OWN!

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 11/02/2026 18:26

He said “do you think I don’t always put our family first?”

While Pissing £300 pm up the wall on a gym membership! and saying he cant commit to putting a roof over his child's head.

Honestly honestly... rent a place alone, claim cms and he'll either come to jesus and you'll reconcile or he wont. (Spoiler alert: he wont)

But either way this drowning man wont drag you down with him like he will if you stay.

Agree with others upthread this is classic DARVO.

Rent alone and dont let him over the threshold.

Brightbluesomething · 11/02/2026 18:27

This is insanity. Do not rent a house that you can’t pay for on your salary or you’ll be in the same situation that he is. Get rid of this cocklodger and find a place you can afford on your own. This has disaster written all over it if you rent together.

Jackiepumpkinhead · 11/02/2026 18:27

Why on earth were you caring for his dad whilst working full time?

Red flags everywhere, leave him, what a loser.

FitnessTrainer2020 · 11/02/2026 18:27

RightOnTheEdge · 11/02/2026 18:22

Move out with your son and leave him at home with his Dad.
You would be crazy to move into a new place with him.

This a billion times over. This feels like a sliding doors moment.

Sharptonguedwoman · 11/02/2026 18:27

ItsOnlyHobnobs · 11/02/2026 18:10

He lives above his means, and expects you to sub his lifestyle.

Major car payment, ultra fancy gym. He doesn’t earn enough for the life he wants.

Can you find out where the money’s going? Sit down and do a spreadsheet? If he won’t share the information, that’s your answer, I’m afraid . Time to let go. And make him pay you back for the car!

AeroChambre · 11/02/2026 18:29

I don't think even David Lloyd cost that much for the gym?

He's financially incompetent!

Tigerbalmshark · 11/02/2026 18:30

OP, you currently have no housing costs and he is pissing all of his salary up the wall. He has told you he isn’t going to pay the rent every month, which I suspect means he isn’t going to pay it any month.

Only move in with him if you are happy to pay all of the rent, all of the bills, all of your childcare costs, all of his car costs, and sub him additional fun money when he’s spent all of his, because he’ll blow up at you if you say no.

I’d leave and get a place by yourself, personally.

Pricelessadvice · 11/02/2026 18:31

If he’s struggling to make his money last than he needs to either leave the gym/find a cheaper one, or stop the gaming stuff.
He is so used to you bailing him out that he’s going to expect this to carry on, but it will be you paying a large portion of his amount of the rent each month.

He sounds dreadful. He’s got a child to think about and all he cares about is gaming his money away. Pathetic.

Bigearringsbigsmile · 11/02/2026 18:31

300 a mo th on a gym?????
No way! He's lying to you about that! The fancy expensive one I used to go to that had steam rooms and a pool and shit was less than 100 a month!
My current one is 28 quid!

I would break up with him.

Eviangeica · 11/02/2026 18:33

I’d be finding somewhere to move to (just me and my child) then claiming CMS and any childcare or anything you’re entitled to from UC.

I couldn’t be with a financially incompetent partner like this. Do not sign for that house unless you can afford it on your own.

catinateacup · 11/02/2026 18:33

I’ve been here; and if and when he starts earning more money, the day he pays you back and starts contributing equally will never, ever come. He’ll be as controlling about money when he has some as much as he leeches when he doesn’t.

On top of that, he’s aggressive and disrespectful. It will only get worse from here, so don’t fall into the sunk costs fallacy — leave him now before he bleeds you dry and you’re financially tied through marriage or a house.

If you can’t leave him just yet, minimise your financial exposure to his debts as much as possible, and don’t take on any new contracts either with him where you are liable for all his expenses.

Honestly, he’s got a live-in carer for his parent plus a money pot in you. He should by rights be fawningly grateful, so the fact that he’s also disrespectful and has anger issues is a MASSIVE red flag. Don’t wait around for the day he suddenly realises how grateful he is — it will never happen. Sorry, OP. 💐

Wakemeupinapril · 11/02/2026 18:35

My exh was similar. My money was our money. His money was his. When i found out exactly how much he earned and fucking wasted I filed for divorce.. After I threw him out. (rental).
No regrets.. Like hell would i have shared a debt like a mortgage with him.

drmindful · 11/02/2026 18:36

I can afford this house on my own. It’s the principal. I’m not paying for him to live in a lovely house in a nice area whilst he continues to prioritise his own life. No way. I’m looking for a home for our child and our family. I’m not paying for it all.

I already do all food shops. I get called controlling when I ask him why he’s go no money left.

I have no issue looking after his dad. Before his dad got unwell he was the loveliest and kindest man in the world. He treated me like a daughter, helped me out with childcare when I went back to work and drove me to placements which he deemed “too far” to travel on the bus. It’s the least I could do for him. I have a lot of love for his dad. And his dad in moments of lucidity is grateful and lovely.

OP posts:
Auroraloves · 11/02/2026 18:36

are there any houses available that you can afford on your own?

id be moving into a house without him, just your child

drmindful · 11/02/2026 18:39

I know this relationship is dead in the water but being cynical and maybe a bit resentful, I’m waiting until I get paid back for the car before ending things. I’m also going to present him with a list of the money I’ve sent him over the years.

I’m shocked any man would feel okay leeching of their partner and feeling no remorse over it.

I will proceed on the house and he won’t be on the tenancy. I don’t want CMS off him. I want him to realise he’s majorly let down his family, and most of all, his son.

OP posts:
Bruisername · 11/02/2026 18:41

Forget the car - sunk cost fallacy - he is just going to borrow more and more. Do not have his name on the rental and tell him to stay with his dad. He is dragging you down financially. What does he do for you?

his dad sounds like he treated you better than your dp does - you don’t need to stop visiting just because you split up

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