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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think about ending my marriage because OH is vetoeing kitchen plans?

38 replies

GarageFlower123 · 14/06/2026 12:26

I know. Sounds shallow, right? Bit of background. We got together quite late (mid 30s) and cracked on with having 2 kids. They're now 14 and 17. We've always kept our money separate for everything, we earn about the same (£35k each) so tend to split most monthly expenses 50/50. Thing is, I've got a lot more savings than him due to some inheritance I got. It's not a huge amount, and much of it is invested in my pension at the moment. We own our house and cars outright, so have no debts. I've always hated our house - it's ex council, and needs updating. However it's bigger than anything else we could afford, and the location is good. I've already don't the bathroom - I paid for it all (£10k) and put new windows in. I would like the house much more if I could get the kitchen done, and maybe a small extension. Ive been thinking about drawing £30k of my pension lump sum at 55 (in 2 years) to pay for this. OH just thinks it's a waste of time and money though. Every time I bring it up, we row about it. I'm not even asking him to pay towards it, I just want to live in a nicely finished house. It's doing my head in and making me feel really boxed in. We tend not to talk about money and our future at all, although I have tried because I would like to have an idea of where we stand at retirement. He just won't engage though, assumes the worst - that we haven't got any money (I've got about £250k invested at the moment!). I'm seriously considering leaving him although the issue there is that I paid for 80% of the house - him 20% - but he's still entitled to 50% if we split. The resentment is really building 🤬

OP posts:
Snoken · 14/06/2026 13:44

GoAndAskDaddy · 14/06/2026 13:21

My husband and I have separate money and have done for over 25 years. The benefit of this is you can spend it on what you want without asking! If you get on well day to day, why would you divorce over this?

I agree that it’s nice to have control over your own money but surely you wouldn’t just put a new kitchen in or build an extension to your joint property without asking?

DaisyChain505 · 14/06/2026 13:44

You don’t sound like much of a team.

Pinkflamingo10 · 14/06/2026 13:49

Does he not want to talk about it because he has no pension or savings ?
if so he will come after 50% of yours if you divorce.
i would see a solicitor to assess where you stand

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 14/06/2026 13:53

OP you need to speak to a lawyer about all your options, if you are married he is entitled to 50% of all your savings and pensions as well potentially! Did you not do a deed of trust when you bought the house?

Desperatelyseekinglazysusan · 14/06/2026 13:59

CheeseyOnionPie · 14/06/2026 12:54

Does he know how much you have in your pension? I’d be suspicious given his reluctance to talk about retirement planning and for you to spend some of your pot on the kitchen that he’s not close to nothing saved and is relying on your pot for his retirement.

hmmm this is what I would suspect. He doesnt know how much you have got in your savings and pension, buyt presumably you dont know how much he has. He could be telling you anything. He could have nothing. 'We cant afford it' could well be because he thinks you as a couple cant afford it, as he will be relying on you financially in retirement. Whether you are happy to do that is up to you. YOu may well end up having to cough for that in a divorce too.

moderndilemma · 14/06/2026 14:00

So, I'm taking a different stance to my usual LTB approach!

Firstly, I think you have to forget the 80/20 split. Unless it is legally enforaceble that ship has sailed. Buying together, you made that decision in better more optimistic / more naive times. Holding on to that will only ever add to your resentment. Be graceful and forgiving with yourself

If I was in a realtionship that was fundementally good, and getting a new kitchen was important to ME and would make my day to day life feel better, I'd pay for it (but be aware and realistic that the costs may increase). That way I'd have a good relationship and a lovely lifestyle and a day--to-day life that made me happy. No point in living in a house you dislike (especially when you can afford to pay for the changes). I think that only leads to more resentment, years of sad living, and ultimately destroys your relationship anyway.

Go ahead, invest in your fabulous kitchen, live your dream kitchen happy life.

If doing that leads to the end of your relationship then at least you'll know that you tried your best and invested financially and emotionally in the best way you could to enhance your own life.

However... I'm the cook and home-maker in our house. dh benefits but isn't interested. But he would never stop me from spending my (and his) money of things that make a difference to our house or to my enjoyment of it. If he did I'd be out of the marriage pdq

landmarkyear · 14/06/2026 14:03

Surely it’s up to you how you spend your money, if you’re already covering 50% of household costs. I don’t really think he has the right to veto it. It’s not his money

Paramaribo2025 · 14/06/2026 14:20

Are you married?

GoodOnPaper · 14/06/2026 14:33

Aside from the relationship issues/different priorities, from a financial perspective

  • an extension and kitchen are going to be much more than £30K
  • you are probably aware - but just to flag that the pension age is moving to 57 on 6th April 2028 (although for some private pensions you'll still be able to take money from 55).
  • Once you start 'crystallising' your pension by taking money from it the total amount you can take tax free will be impacted (unless you're already at the max of 25% of your pension being £268K) - so it can be better to leave it in longer to grow the tax free amount you'll be able to take. Definitely get some advice/do some research into pension draw down/crystallising pension pots before you do it
Good luck
WinterBlues26 · 14/06/2026 15:29

Not investing or caring about the house was one of the reasons I left XH as it was symptomatic of our relationship. He wanted to be invested in and cared for, not the house, not family, not me. Took me a while to understand that.

Is he scared of his financial/pension future and doesn't think you both have enough to retire on, or does he usually dismiss your wants unless they align with his? The advice will be different on your answer to this question so think carefully.

Pessismistic · 15/06/2026 22:16

Hi op he would get half of your pension if you split. so you would be better saying the kitchen is dated and I am happy to pay for it as the house was bought predominantly with my money I don’t feel it’s a waste houses always need something at some point I think the fact he’s putting his foot down is he’s trying to be in charge but I don’t think leaving him is the answer and also why would you go when the house is mostly yours. Just get some quotes to start with does he resent you having more money than him?

ElectoralControversy · 15/06/2026 22:23

I have tried to read really carefully and I can't see if you're married?

How did you get two kids almost to adulthood if you can't talk about money and responsibilities and all that grown up stuff? Can you channel that same energy...or did you just do it all

Sparkplugsfix · 15/06/2026 22:29

The age to access pension is going up to 57

Suggest check your age to access !

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