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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Think Im beginning to hate DP, need advice

31 replies

Bizkit · 24/05/2011 17:44

Been having a few problems with DP for a while now. We have been together nearly 10 years, are engaged and have two kids 8 and 4.

The main thing that is concerning me is his attitude to money and its making me question our future together.

He has always been a bit rubbish with money, and his take on things is totally different from mine.

Recently over the past 9 months or so things have got really bad financially. He pissed me off because he has been through a number of jobs and from starting the job he is currently in he never gave the housing benefit people the details they wanted for the change in our situation. I asked him on quite a few occasions to do it and he never did for 5 months, in this time I did offer to write the letter myself if he could just tell me and dig out the info they needed, and he just said 'look I'll do the fucking letter' of course he didnt. Anyway when he finally did, seems we owed quite alot of money back...money we didnt have. Council tax wanted double the monthy average payment to get the money owed back before the financial year ended, this was impossible for us so after a few letters they agreed to lower the amount but we would need to settle the remainder by april. Even after they had offered this he still wasnt paying the bill on time and we were getting reminders, and we argued as every month came round as I had to keep on at him to pay it. Anyway we eventually paid last years amount, though some were late payments.

Come round to the new tax year I tell him, please just pay the bill on time every month and we wont get in trouble again. April- I have to nag a few times and argue with him bout it again. He finally pays it after a full blown argument, but says it isnt recognsing the ref number or something, I say okay well just call them tommorrow double check its gone through, of course he doesnt, but says a similar amount has come out of his account so it must of come out. I say fine but check you account. Anyway mid april we get the letter saying its not paid. So he pays it, just in the nick of time as he now has to wait for his next pay check to do so..as he's run out of money by the end of the month. So already we are short for may. But Im really pissed off now cos when he paid the april one he said he's paid may's aswell as it was due. Now I thought this strange because he never pays a bill on time let alone a few days before its due, and I couldnt find a ref for it, and asked him where the reference number was and he said 'look I paid the bill and your still not happy stop going on' Yesterday I got a letter saying its not been paid!!

He lied, and I just dont understand why he does this. He gets paid on the 25th of each month, and will not pay the rent or council tax both of which are due on the 1st till mid month or later even though he's been paid 5 days before. We havent got alot of money and he doesnt have alot once all the bills come out but its like he wants to keep all his money as long as possible, but the problems is when the landlord does want the rent or the reminder comes throught for the c/t he is short. I really cant see why he cant just pay the big bills when he gets paid, if he is short come the end of the month, we might have to try and find a bit of fuel money or something..but the bills are paid and we dont get in trouble. Ive argued with him about this till Im blue in the face..he's answer is either I'll pay it tommorrow, or I'll sort it. He will not set up a direct debit for the c/t as he says if he hasnt got it one month he may need a few days to find it.

He attitude with all bills is he wont pay it till the final reminders come through, but to me its stressful.

We have other money issues aswell, a credit card in my name maxed out by him, I have to pay it off with the little money I have- I never wanted the dam thing!. We have a car loan in my name we can barely afford, as he quit his job that was going to pay for it at the time, again I really didnt want to get this but he went on and on till I gave in. Im the only one who can get credit as his is so bad.

Ive been highly stressed and miserable for months, I have no money cos Im paying off loans that were his idea, and Im starting to resent him for it, and now he is not just fobbing me off not wanting to pay bills, he actually lying about paying them...do you think Im being unreasonable to be pissed of here seen as them bills are in my name aswell??

We eventually want to try and move out of the area, or maybe even get a mortgage one day, but I dont know if I can take that plunge with a man who has this attitude with money.

Ive been in two minds for a while now as what to do, he was threatening to move out just before xmas as we were arguing so much but he didnt of course, and in a way I was kinda hoping he would. I have my children to consider, and I couldnt bear to make them unhappy, but I really am questioning my feelings for my DP and I really am at a loss of what to do. Even if money got better he's still not pay things on time.

Aswell as this we have a dog who I cant cope with and highly stressful, and who he shouts and swears at quite often. Iv told him I cant cope with her but he just dont want to hear it, that a whole other story, but all added stress.

We havent had sex in a few months and this is his excuse for being stressed. We had a few problems, I wasnt that interested basically, so I changed my pill for him as we thought that was the issue , but since then the tension with money and the dog and my feelings of dislike towards him has ment I dont even want a cuddle from him at the moment. The last time we did have sex, I had come home from a rare night out a little tipsy, he tried it on, I said no, he did it anyway.

Im scared of being alone, and am very worried about what would happen if we did split, I might lose my house if I cant afford rent on my own...I dont know.

I havent made a fuss over the latest c/t reminder, but will have to say something as it needs to be paid latest tommorrow or we lose the right to pay by installments, plus as its the 2nd notice we've had this year they will send no more, so if its late again next month they wont tell us they'll just want the whole years worth in one go.
I can face another argument :(

Wow that was a long post sorry.

OP posts:
xkittyx · 24/05/2011 17:48

No wonder you're beginning to hate him - apart from the money thing he raped you :(

ScarlettWalking · 24/05/2011 17:54

Your partner is abusive to you and if you said no to sex and he " did it anyway", well do I need to spell out what that is?

You need this vulture out of your life pronto.

JanMorrow · 24/05/2011 17:57

Oh bless you. Rape isn't acceptable, even when you're married. Does he have any redeeming features?

meltedchocolate · 24/05/2011 18:12

I am not usually one to jump straight to this but WTH?!?! Get out, get out, get out!

Bizkit · 24/05/2011 18:14

Oh wow, I never really thought about it like that. I was tipsy like I say and really tired and barely awake, he wasn't violent or anything, he just kept on and no matter how many times I said no he carried on trying to pull my clothes off, I wasnt overly trying that hard to get him off, just I suppose gave in, he did feel bad after and apologised. Many times in the past Ive not been in the mood and he's kept on, and Ive just said alright because I feel guilty that Im not giving him enough. He's said before that he dont want me to just say yes to please him as he feels bad after, but its not long before he gets impatient again.

He's redeeming features are...., well I'll have to have a think and get back to you.

Im quite taking aback..

OP posts:
orchidee · 24/05/2011 18:19

Your children and your dog are relying on you to look after them. Shouting at a vulnerable animal who is 100% depending on you all to look after it is not fair. There are options here, find a new home - you can ask at your local vet or animal charity if they can help.

It doesn't sound like you are gaining anything by having your partner in your life. He seems to have zero interest in ensuring that you all have a roof over your heads or a clean/no late bills credit rating. These things don't just hurt and affect him, they affect all of you. I can't see any reason to put up with this. You would likely feel much less stressed if you were in charge of your own life and could make your own decisions about how and when to use your money.

I hope you can get some clarity on your next steps. It sounds like you're beyond patching things up - and he's not interested either.

Reality · 24/05/2011 18:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FabbyChic · 24/05/2011 18:55

My god how can you live like that, he raped you, he has no concept of the right way to live, he ponces off of you in the form of getting credit in your name which he then does not pay.

Honey seriously surely being a bit lonely now and again is preferable to staying with that fucking pig.

pointissima · 24/05/2011 19:05

I never say this. I'm one of the "get a grip for the children" brigade; but in your case, GET OUT NOW.

Take the children. Leave the dog.

FabbyChic · 24/05/2011 19:13

The car belongs to you you are paying it, if the accomodation is rented and in joint names then you can up and leave ensuring the council tax and rent is in his name i.e tell them you have moved out and are no longer responsible.

If the place is in your name kick him out, get benefits if you do not work or even if you do you could be entitled to top ups.

As they wanted proof of his earnings assume it is either jointed tenanted or his name.

Have you somewhere you can go?

EricNorthmansMistress · 24/05/2011 19:22

You will be financially better off without him - the state will support you. You will be emotionally better off - knowing you can control the bills and make sure they are paid, and that nobody will be badgering you for money or sex (and committing rape, which is what he did). You would be happier, I promise.

Seabright · 24/05/2011 19:23

If you are a co-tenant with him you can't just up and leave and tell the landlord you aren;t responsible - please don't listen to FabbyChic.

If you are both on the tenancy agreement, you've both made a contract and you are joint and severally liable for everything under the contract until it comes to an end. And you can't just end it by saying "I don't live there any more". Read you contract carefully, find out how to end it, what your liabilities are and if you aren't sure, go to your local CAB and find out.

FabbyChic · 24/05/2011 19:27

Im talking about the council, I assume they live in social housing, of course it is different if it is private rented.

inanna12 · 24/05/2011 19:42

op, that was a long post! you need to talk huh! thing is, if you just do it here, you'll get a load of contradictory (wellmeaning) advice and will possibly get derailed about issues that aren't perhaps that important to you. (for the record, to me, no means no, and no+sex=rape. but, i recognise that this is a murky area, and if this isn't as important to you as other issues, it's pointless us screaming "WOMEN'S REFUGE" at you.) sounds as though your communication with your partner isn't as good as it might be - indeed, needs to be to be able to move on. - if that's what you want. might i suggest counselling, by a qualified, professional, impartial person (as opposed to us lot)?
much luck x

Al0uiseG · 24/05/2011 19:48

Don't leave the dog ffs! Find it a new home.

inanna12 · 24/05/2011 20:04

goodness me, some of you people are mental. do you not think that the op maybe has enough to consider, without worrying about the fricking dog as well?! no offence, AlOuise; you clearly love 'em, but jeez!...

HansieMom · 24/05/2011 20:50

I feel sorry for the dog. She does not deserve abuse, poor dog. I'd take the dog and the kids and leave whatshisname.

Reality · 24/05/2011 21:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

inanna12 · 24/05/2011 21:02

YOU might take the dog and the kids, but the op said the dog is "highly stressful" and that she "can't cope" with.
this is what i mean about posting online. proper counselling, which none of us have offered (me inc), rather than random kneejerk reactions, would be a lot more helpful i'd imagine.

Bizkit · 24/05/2011 21:05

We live in a private rented house, both names on the contract. Im not leaving. He's threatened to move out before, but I dont know what his reaction would be if it was me that ended it, he may stay put and make things difficult. If we did split and he left I would get housing benefit, which would cover most of the rent..but I think Im only entitled to a two bed house and Im currently in a 3 bed, so may not get enough benefit to cover the rent on this place, plus we currently get a small amount of HB which is also less than we should be because of the overpayment,so they are taking back the amount out of our monthly payments. I assume this still stands even if Im alone, the HB is in my name. Another reason I have less money than I should each month.

The dog- we agreed we'd like a dog last year..before all the money issues. I said a puppy would be best as we have two small children and two cats, and its would probably be easier on the cats to have something the same size as them almost and easier for the kids if the dog started out smaller etc. We'd agreed this was the best course, arranged to see some puppies, but then he saw an advert for a dog from a rescue, 9mnths old but neverthless a full size dog already, I wasnt sure and said I'd go and see it but didnt think we should bring it home that day cos we needed to think about it and we wasnt prepared. We went he basically had a chat with the people, and put the dog in the car, didnt discuss it with me or anything. I wasnt too sure the dog seemed fine but still I wanted to think about it, but he'd basically said he was taking her to the people. Looking back I was in a position where if I wanted to say anything or air my doubts I would of had to have done so in front of the rescue workers, I didnt want to say no I want a puppy, cos that would of put me across in a bad light...anyway he put me in that situation.

The dog has been out of control since we got her, not her fault, turns out the rescue where a bunch of dodgy bastards and didnt treat her to well but anyway, Ive said she's just not right for this family, she's a big dog and is out of control. We cant walk her with the kids as she goes for other dogs, pulls on the lead etc, right now she is barking at some people out the front jumping up at the window and its driving me mental, she barks when she goes in the garden the neighbour is threatening to call the council. We only recently been able to afford to have a dog trainer in and she's improved a little but its just not enough, and we cant afford many more sessions. She chases my cats and will knock anyone down in the process, my cats live separatly upstairs now and are perminatly in hiding. We've had her so long now, it will be hard to get rid. He does walk her and play with her, and loves her to pieces but shouts at her too. My kids adore her, but dont know any different, when Ive mentioned rehoming her to them they ball their eyes out. Im currently nursing two very sore feet where her lead basically burnt my skin off when it got wrapped round my ankles and she bolted down the garden (she's attached to a lead outside as we cant get her in otherwise). This could have happened to one of the children.

Im thinking over the thoughts of those saying he raped me, I wouldnt of used that word, though I understand that I suppose that is what it is, I defiantly felt used, and it has made me sort of cringe near enough when he touches me now, Im only just seeing how wrong it really was.

OP posts:
clam · 24/05/2011 21:28

Look, there are practical suggestions we can make which might help some aspects of your situation (direct debits for bills, contact vallhalla in "the doghouse" re: possibly re-homing or at least training the dog) but that won't begin to address the real problems.

Practicalities aside, what do you want? If you were to write a list of how you would like your life to be, what would it say? For example: I am living in a pretty 2 bed home in a village with my children and cats. DP and I have separated, I am working in a job I love.... etc.. Be very specific about your ideals, otherwise how will you know what you need to work towards.

But it certainly seems as if this relationship is dead. Good luck to you.

Bizkit · 24/05/2011 21:57

I don't know what I want. I mention the dog and money as its the stress of these things that have put such a strain on our relationship. Do I wait and see if things become better when the stresses ease...if they ever do.

I realise I may have to put a thread in the doghouse as that story is rather a long and complicated one.

I want to just have a normal life. I want the bills to be paid on time. He also has a habit of buying cars, using them for a bit then selling it for another, sometimes he's made a few quid sometimes he's lost a few quid. He's owned over 100 cars in past 15yrs. He says he makes money and yes sometimes he may, but he doesnt tell me what he spends on them and the general hassle and juggling of money is doing my head in. For example he will see a car and reckon he can buy it and sell it for double, he will quite happily buy this car before the bills are paid then try and get the money back, and maybe pay the bills in the nick of time. Its basically a form of gambling I reckon.
I just want to go to work earn money. pay bills, be happy.

OP posts:
SpringchickenGoldBrass · 24/05/2011 22:52

You need this useless, abusive man out of your life. Have a chat to Women's Aid and the CAB and they will help you. There is no point trying to 'work on the relationship' because basically he doesn't think of you as a human being. You're an object in the house as far as he's concerned, the only person he has any interest in is himself.

FabbyChic · 24/05/2011 22:58

You will get housing benefit, plus other benefits as a single parent, child tax credit, income support if your children are under 8 and you don't work.

You have to decide whether this man is whom you want to spend the rest of your life with, can you live with this man forever?

Now is the time whilst things are so bad for you to decide what you really want, you aren't happy, and that unhappiness will be felt by your children.

This man is irresponsible and cannot be relied upon, frankly you would do a better job on your own and be better off.

FabbyChic · 24/05/2011 23:00

With regards to the dog if you feel it is not suited to your home or lifestyle if it is not maneagable, you should rehouse.

If your neighbour reports you to the council they will come to see you, it could cause you to lose your home eventually if the dog is a nuisance.

The children will get over it in time.