My bf and I have been together for around 3 years, and have recently moved in together, so therefore have rent/bills to pay and negotiate who is doing the food shopping etc you know how it is.
Coming from parents who have very little money, I am very financially aware, and like to budget, and plan and talk about money so that we can keep on top of it, whereas bf’s parents are very financially stable and he doesn’t really have to worry about money at all due to work/parents being very generous toward himself e.g. paying car MOT, insurance, paying for his petrol etc. But, on top of this, I am an MSc student and work part time around my studies, but still have very little left over and never had financial support from parents since 16ish as have worked and they cannot afford it, which I completely understand and would never want to place this financial pressure on them. We split rent and bills equally and try to split the food shopping equally as well. However, there are things that need to be bought for flat such as cleaning products which he doesn’t include in food shop etc that bf doesn’t even seem to think about and when I mention splitting things half and half, he gets a bit funny although he knows I have no money, and if I didn’t buy them they wouldn’t get bought. On top of this, except for the money he puts in to rent, bills and food, he spends the rest of his money solely on himself and doesn’t really chip in- if we are out and he pays for something he will ask for half from me. I’ve suggested opening up a joint account together for everything house and home related but he says he doesn’t really like that idea and is happy the way it is, but currently I have no money and am still having to match my half of the spending (which I don’t mind) whilst he is constantly clothes shopping and going out with friends. Am at a bit of a loss as I would just like him to take some financial responsibility in this as am feeling quite stressed about it all, and feel that I put more in financially into our living situation than he does?? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance!!!!