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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

AIBU- feeling so fed up

13 replies

Sooki6 · 14/08/2020 17:10

I’m so fed up and I need to know whether I’m being silly. My partner is the bread winner in our house. I do have a decent job that I work full time at but he’s the breadwinner. The problem that I have is that although we’ve been together for over a decade, have a mortgage and two children between us, I find him to think incredibly selfishly. An example of this is- the other morning, there was a fan on in my room whilst I was in bed. He started work in his office and removed the fan. We have two fans. I asked him why he couldn’t just use the other fan and his reply was- “well they are both mine because I bought them.”
He’s been happy to remind me in the past that he earns more than me and has said that he works really hard to provide our life. I am genuinely confused as to whether I should feel upset. I am a professional woman and am very independent. In a row the other week he told me that I’m “only happy when he’s paying for things for me.” He doesn’t buy me anything- clothes etc. I pay for everything of my own. I even buy myself flowers because he won’t (which is fine). The one thing that he contributes towards is the difference in bill contribution. We make it so that we have the same amount of disposable income each a month. He likes to constantly remind me of this- that he pays out more towards the bills than me. Im so drained by it all. I feel like my life is spent on egg shells.

OP posts:
chocolatesaltyballs22 · 14/08/2020 17:15

Sounds exactly like my husband and the main reason I divorced him.

'You should be grateful that I earn so much so that you can work part time' (was raising our young daughter at the time)
'You're so lucky that we live in a nice house which I pay for'
'I work very hard to give us a nice life and you should be more grateful'

Etc etc. Every day was a different reason why I should be grateful to him. Your husband sounds exactly like this and it's not acceptable behaviour. I would get out and take him for every one of his precious pennies if I were you OP.

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 14/08/2020 17:15

Sorry I meant to say ex husband, obviously!

ShebaShimmyShake · 14/08/2020 17:21

Mean with money, mean with love. Removing your fan even though there was another one just to take a pop about money, especially when you do work too, is incredibly mean spirited and unloving.

eausolovely · 14/08/2020 17:28

Can you have a conversation about it without having an argument? I would speak to him and say that when he says things like that it's really upsetting and that it makes you feel less than. Surely he's decent enough to understand that if you have been together so long. Maybe he's frustrated about something but hasn't spoken about it. Think a good long conversation is in order but only if you can have that conversation without getting angry or shouting at each other

Sooki6 · 14/08/2020 17:37

Thank you for your replies. This is the way our relationship has always been, unfortunately when I was younger I couldn’t really identify this but looking back, it was a thing. There have been many issues along the way and we’ve recently moved house and area as we wanted a fresh start.

OP posts:
Lollypop701 · 14/08/2020 17:43

Wanted a fresh start, or you have moved further away from friends and family, so he can isolate you? this is not ok.

Sooki6 · 14/08/2020 18:03

In his defence, moving here was my idea initially although he agreed. He’s not possessive, but I find his misplaced arrogance unbearable at times.

OP posts:
coffeeandjuice · 14/08/2020 18:18

He sounds like my two year old who's going through the "mine" phase. How frustrating for you. I think it's a normal reaction to feel upset by all of the things you've listed. Hope you're situation eases up a bit soon, it sounds like your OH has a few security issues.

happytoday73 · 14/08/2020 18:26

The fan example is just pathetic... He sounds selfish and mean...
"So both fans are yours... OK... So I ask again... Why didnt you use the other one if both equally yours?... Because to me it just seems you were taking an opportunity to be mean and uncaring...

Does he ever put you first? Does he show empathy?

adulthumanwoman · 14/08/2020 18:30

It's not just selfish it is mean and deliberately unkind.

Aquamarine1029 · 14/08/2020 18:31

He started work in his office and removed the fan. We have two fans. I asked him why he couldn’t just use the other fan and his reply was- “well they are both mine because I bought them.”

This is all I need to know about this man. What an obnoxious, selfish cunt. He doesn't value you at all and I really hope you get the hell out of there.

MonkeysAllGoWoo · 14/08/2020 18:31

What a dick. My DP earns far more than me and although that causes issues he has never mentioned it, held it against me or been a dick about it!

Could you afford to pay half? Our issue is that we pay half of bills and mortgage. I wouldn't have it any other way as, like you, I am independent and wouldn't have him ever be able to say the house is more his (even though deeds day both of us etc) but it means he has more of a disposable income so he saves a lot and I can't. However, it is his money that he earns so is his to do as he wishes rather than mean I get an easier life.

He pays more for our outings etc so it's fair ish in the end.

thistimelastweek · 14/08/2020 18:49

My husband has always earned more than me and we have always pooled resources; not once in 40 years has that been an issue. He contributes 100%, I contribute 100% and that makes us equal. Major decisions affecting our earnings have been taken jointly so we bear the consequences equally.

I struggle to understand relationships where there is a perceived financial hierarchy. That can't be a truly equal relationship

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