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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

Dh & talking about money

5 replies

Sharkyfan · 20/01/2020 20:39

I’m feeling really frustrated. Dh and I have a few issues and I was thinking recently about separating but I’m finding it so hard to broach the subject with him.

Meanwhile, the money issue has reared its head again.
Dh is a high earner,, about 4-5 times what I earn in my part time public sector job.

We live in a big house which is great in some ways but a real money pit and to be honest it feels like we don’t have the resources the house needs.
We could move to something substantially cheaper which would be adequate for what we need in terms of space. But this house feels like something of a status symbol for dh (this ‘pride’ is an aspect of his character that I don’t like).

Anyway, despite his good wage he lives in his overdraft. To the tune of About £3-4000 before payday. I worry loads about this and especially since we got an email from the bank saying they’re changing the rules and are going to charge 39% on overdrafts from April.

I just hate it, it keeps me awake at night and it feels so wrong as on paper we should be ok.

But whenever I broach it the conversation goes nowhere. I just said isn’t is possible to get it down and he said ‘clearly not’ then talked about going away at half term.

I have control of my own account and don’t have loads spare but just about keep in the black. I pay all stuff for kids and house, he pays all bills and big things.

We have big one off costs like annual car insurance and oil orders every 6 weeks or so (we’re not on gas). I’d like to work out the annual costs, divide by 12 then put that amount aside each month to help spread the cost but he won’t hear of it.

It’s like I’ve got no say.

Then ultimately I feel if we can’t stay in the black because of bills etc we should move to a cheaper house. But he won’t discuss that either ☹️

OP posts:
tobedtoMNandfart · 20/01/2020 21:55

It's not really about the money is it. You both don't seem to be able to discuss & agree things...

tobedtoMNandfart · 20/01/2020 21:56

^^ sorry I'm tired. I am more supportive than I sound.

Sharkyfan · 20/01/2020 22:29

No you’re right.
That is the underlying problem.
But just on this particular issue ianbu am I? It’s not normal to live in your over draft like that is it? If you’re earning £5K a month?

OP posts:
Imnotaslimjim · 20/01/2020 22:31

tobedtoMNandfart you're right though, this isn't about the money or the house, it's about the DH not allowing Sharkyfan a voice and a choice in what happens within the household.

Sharkyfan you said you've wondered recently whether to leave and how you go about it. I was in a similar place. On paper, we were fairly well off but ExDH loved almost permanently in his overdraft and I had no say in what he bought but wasn't allowed to make financial decisions myself. I finally found the courage to leave after 15 years. You will too if it's what you want

Sharkyfan · 20/01/2020 22:39

I got quite close over Christmas and found a solicitor I was going to go and see, just to check out how it might work. As I was worried that as soon as dh got the idea I was thinking about it he could get difficult about money.
But since then he has been on best behaviour and since he’s back to work we’re back to not seeing each other that much so we’re bumbling on.
I’m still thinking about broaching with him I’m not happy and asking him again to come to counselling (I would be expecting him to say no again) but I just feel sick about the kids and the massive defining change that I would be bringing about in their lives. The eldest is 11.5 and having a tough time settling in at secondary.

Another problem is that due to aforementioned overdraft, there’s plenty of equity in the house but he wouldn’t be able to afford to live anywhere else during separation so I would know that would be a really tough period until the house was sold, and who knows how long that would take!

OP posts:
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