To expect MIL to pay me for the item she asked me to get her?

[mondaymonday]

Background to this is that we are currently on a tight budget as I'm on stat maternity pay. MIL knows this. Incidentally, she is loaded. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, MIL asked me to go out and buy a specific item for her BIL, who she was due to visit. So I gave up my lunch-hour the next day and bought it. When I gave it to her, she said that she had no cash on her and would send me a cheque.

2 weeks have passed now and no cheque. She can't have forgotten about it, as she gave the item to her BIL a few days ago and this will have reminded her. The amount is a significant part of my weekly spends and did leave me short that week. I'm quite annoyed that I have paid for her gift to her BIL (who is incidentally a millionaire ffs!)

It's not as if she's always getting us stuff - she's actually extremely tight. And the fact that she's just told me how many shoes she's just bought herself has annoyed me even more given the fact that she owes me this money. I am tempted to ask her if BIL asked the present, to see what she says

Why not just ask for the money?

Agree with MorrisZapp. Just say "that cheque never arrived, when did you post it?"

She might have just forgotten! Can't believe she's done this deliberately?

Not at all unreasonable to ask - you just say "by the way, please could I have a cheque to cover the cost of the present I bought for BIL? We really do need the money this week". Job done. Honestly, the worst that will happen is she'll think "bugger, I was hoping to get away without paying". Which really wouldn't be fair.

just tell her what she owes you outright

You're right. I might see her tomorrow and I shall try to ask (might wait until DH is out of the room though)

Don't know why I'm so bothered about being blunt, she's the most blunt person I've ever come across.

Message withdrawn

why do you have to wait until dh is out of the room?

compo - he'll think I'm being petty and doesn't like any 'awkwardness' (I'm not excusing it, but that's the reason)

Why on earth can't she do her own shopping if she is loaded? And why is she asking you to do it, surely that should be down to your dh?

she asked me because I work in town. Don't know why she didn't bother herself, she works part-time and I'm full-time. Also I only get half an hour at lunch so I had to rush there and back

she sounds like a user

make sure you get that money from her, with or without your dh's approval

incidentally, if he has a problem with "awkwardness" perhaps he could do all her future little "errands" for her

mondaymonday - your DH should ask.

lol I'll suggest that to him

A couple of years ago she had him driving into town one day after work in rush hour to pick up a pair of shoes she'd ordered - she's a piece of work indeed! I'd refused that time

no wonder SHE'S got millions if thats how she does her shopping

there is a reason people who have money have it and she sounds like she's got it sussed

agree dizzy - she really is very tight.

and now you understand why you don't need to be doing any more helpful errands for her

introduce her to online shopping if she can't managed to get to the shops herself

lol

She had a cheek asking me really, after how it went he last time she was in my house and told DS how neglectful I was going out to work all day and leaving him. Not as if we're exactly close!

Sorry, have to ask - why are you on stat maternity pay if you're working?

well observed - just back at work and unfortunately haven't got first 'normal' pay yet. Well I say normal, but it will be half stat maternity, half normal pay, so still crap!

You'll still feel like a millionaire once you get the extra pay though

yes, I'll be able to buy all her xmas presents for her next time!

Just phone her up and ask her! It is very easy to forget things.

pisces, you are very nice