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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

I'm worried about our future together, am I right to be concerned?

116 replies

ClaraK · 18/01/2023 12:12

I've been with my boyfriend for around 5 years now, but at this point I'm struggling mentally as I really don't know if I'm overthinking things, especially as I was diagnosed with mental health issues during my late adult life. Here's the thing... Every weekend I drive 25 miles to pick her up, 25 miles to bring him back to mine to spend time with me, 25 miles back again for him to work beginning of the week and 25 miles back to mine. He does drive as both he and his mum use the same car, but at no point as he ever come down to see me. ( I do what I do to spend time with him as much as possible ).

When my Car broke down I asked if he would come down to me, he was less than forthcoming and it was put off to the point my car was fixed and it went back to me picking him up again. But something has happened recently which has really hit home. A friend of her family recently passed away and for someone living at home with his parent, does a small job and gets benefits at the time he was given around £130,000.

Visiting him again this time in the week, he promptly asked me if I could "DRIVE" her to a town down his way which was around 20 miles, so he could sell something. I said no I couldn't, as that would mean I'd have to drive a total of over 100 miles in one day and why he couldn't use his car. I asked if he would pay for petrol and I'd happily do it, and all he said was I'd buy you lunch. Even his mum was a little put off by driving the car. I mean seriously what does it take for him to drive? And what's wrong with helping with petrol, is £130,000 not enough?

He ended up driving because he had to sell something and I put it to him why doesn't he get his own car! He'd have the freedom to drive anywhere he wouldn't have to quibble over who was using the car at the time and he'd be able to visit me on occasions of a weekend ( We'd take it in turns ). The result was a resounding "NO" because he's put all money into other accounts ( to make interest off within the year ) and ONLY has £12,000 in the bank.

I'm really struggling myself financially, every time I have savings it's gone on bills and repairs, I pay all those miles of driving because I care about him and want to see him, I drive around my area too when I pick him up, 90% of the time I pay for dinner. Even though he has on occasions in the past asked if I wanted money towards something ( never petrol ) I'd say NO. Yet if I said the same to him, say he bought lunch or dinnershe'd say oh just give me such and such money.

Anything he does buy I'm always waiting for the just give me some money.
In fact there was one point he saw something really nice on Ebay and said would you like this? I said yes that looks cool, he said ok you can pay me back the £3 later. I've even been told I should GET another job if I'm struggling. While he was doing a small job, living with parent(s), making money off commissions at times and on benefits ( medical reasons ).

I have around £1000 in the bank, get around £500- £700 a month and that's to go on such things as council tax, electric bills, food, water bills, internet, mobile phone, car bills and petrol. I spend around £30-40 a week on petrol. And can only afford to have the heating on at the weekends ( it costs around £11 a day by 7am in the morning . While he lives with parent(s), pays a little towards upkeep(?), has £130,000 or was it £12,000 now and is worried about spending any of it.

His dad was a I overheard him saying be careful of that "lady of yours" when you get the Money, yet I've NEVER asked for any of it, In fact even in the past before all this you'd hear me say I'll buy this I don't want your money. How can someone with £1000 in the bank be struggling as much as someone with £130,000 who lives at home with parent, I don't understand it :(. I'm really worried about our future together, I love him so so much.

OP posts:
CantGetDecentNickname · 18/01/2023 15:46

TerfOnATrain · 18/01/2023 15:12

He’s tight as a duck’s arse, he doesn’t value or appreciate you and is take take take.

dump him, he isn’t good for your MH and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t contributing to making it worse.

you deserve much more.

I agree with the above.

S/he is abusive - financially abusive. Happy for you to pay for everything and lets you struggle afterwards. Won't spend £3 on you. You may feel you love them but they are not showing any love for you. They are not bothered to visit you or even see you if it requires them to make an effort. You are convenient to them and they are using you. Looks like they are probably committing benefit fraud as well.

Please read your OP to yourself and imagine it was written by a close friend or relative. What advice would you give them if it was happening to them?

As far as this person is concerned, I really wouldn't bother with them at all. I'd just say sorry, car won't start this weekend and not turn up. Let them contact you and visit you.

You could tell them you have made X number of visits over the years and they have only made Y visits to you. They have access to a car and the means to buy one so they can visit you from now on and refuse to go there.

I think if you refuse to drive there, the relationship will be over. You say you worry about your future with them, but it appears that there either is no future, or they move in with you and completely sponge off you. Please don't let them move in just for the sake of hanging on to them. Please accept that there really isn't a future with someone so tight.

OldReliable · 18/01/2023 15:53

He is abusive. Financially. He's draining your money in petrol and everything else, making you run around after him which costs you and not him. He's tight as a ducks arse as well.

What's there to love?

Ofcourseshecan · 18/01/2023 16:09

OP, he is a lazy freeloader, disrespectful to you, manipulative, demanding, pathologically tight-fisted, dishonest, possibly criminal (if claiming benefits fraudulently and failing to pay tax on his full income) ….
no wonder he wants to move in with you!

You would be his live-in servant and provider. He would never again have to do a thing for himself.

Please show some self-respect and ditch him. Before he gets caught and heavily fined — fines that you would probably end up paying.

BadNomad · 18/01/2023 16:11

£130k won't earn enough interest to live on. Where is he getting financial advice from? I don't imagine he's paying for it.

ClaraK · 18/01/2023 16:19

@BadNomad It's going into multiple money making accounts, one being his brothers company and others into such as Marks and Spencers. It goes way over my head sometimes but I was told, money will start flowing in as from next year.

OP posts:
QueenSmartypants · 18/01/2023 16:26

So, let me get this right. He lives at home, comfortably, without having to put his hand in his pocket. Presumably his mum keeps house and probably does his laundry and cooks for him too.

He has a girlfriend who turns up without fail every Fri night, taxis him around wherever he wants to go, pays for all his meals and Presumably gives him sex on tap.

In return he once put a couple photo in a photo frame and gave her a plant. He also once said "oh you shouldn't have spent so much".

He also tells her to lose weight and expects her to make an effort for him.
.......

And you're worried about your future with him?

Love, you ought to worried about the hear and now! You're not his girlfriend.

He's a selfish prick. You deserve better. Get rid.

ClaraK · 18/01/2023 16:40

@QueenSmartypants He sometimes pays for shopping, If I ask if he'd pay he gets annoyed and says I shouldn't have to ask, I was going to anyway. But there are many times when this hasn't happened. There has also been many times where he'd say to me, Are you Hungry shall we go for something to eat? I'd say I'm starving, we'd go into a Cafe and I'd be expected to pay half. If I say I'll buy lunch, he'll say want any money towards it? I'd usually say no, and no more will be said.

There was a situation some time back where I said I sold stuff to pay for bills, and he said that's nice, maybe we can go out for a nice Meal. He just got £130K and hasn't taken me out for a nice meal yet. Unless McDonalds counts when I was expected to drive ( I didn't ) . He only drove because he had to sell something.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 18/01/2023 16:44

OP you keep repeating yourself. What is it you want from your thread?

Bookworm20 · 18/01/2023 16:52

I think you honestly know what you need to do. Its just hard to do it.

But look at what you have written. You have been with him 5 years. He has NEVER driven to your house. He has NEVER even taken you out to a nice restaurant. And its not because he has no money. He has enough to get himself a car and to buy you a meal out.

Is this what you think is all you deserve? Because you deserve so much more. And there is someone out there who would be over the moon to take you out to dinner OP, to make you feel good about yourself and not tell you to lose weight, and who would happily plant you a whole damn garden if you asked, not just throw you a token potplant once every 5 years. That someone isn't him.

My advice. Tell him you can't pick him up this weekend. And next weekend say the same thing. And the one after that. And see exactly what effort he makes to see you. Someone who loved you would do everything in their power to spend time with you. That should tell you all you need to know and also give you the time away from him to start processing him no longer being in your life.

Because while he's still in it, you are losing any chance of someone decent, who would love you so much, being in it.

Find your inner courage, and take a step back from him.

ClaraK · 18/01/2023 16:54

@gamerchick sorry, I'll say no more

OP posts:
QueenSmartypants · 18/01/2023 16:56

ClaraK · 18/01/2023 16:40

@QueenSmartypants He sometimes pays for shopping, If I ask if he'd pay he gets annoyed and says I shouldn't have to ask, I was going to anyway. But there are many times when this hasn't happened. There has also been many times where he'd say to me, Are you Hungry shall we go for something to eat? I'd say I'm starving, we'd go into a Cafe and I'd be expected to pay half. If I say I'll buy lunch, he'll say want any money towards it? I'd usually say no, and no more will be said.

There was a situation some time back where I said I sold stuff to pay for bills, and he said that's nice, maybe we can go out for a nice Meal. He just got £130K and hasn't taken me out for a nice meal yet. Unless McDonalds counts when I was expected to drive ( I didn't ) . He only drove because he had to sell something.

None of that changes my point. He's using you, you do realise that?

You are convenient to him and the moment you aren't he isn't remotely bothered by you. The moment you were without a car he wasn't interested.

I think you need a little tough love so here it is: have some self respect and dump him.

You're broken heart will heal.

SmileyClare · 18/01/2023 16:56

Yeah you know what you need to do .

Trust your instincts, why keep giving examples where he’s treated you badly/ manipulated you into paying? We get it- he’s selfish and lazy.

Theres no such thing as a magic money making account by the way Hmm

Rockschooldropout · 18/01/2023 17:17

OP what would you like us to say ? Because dropping in that he’s bought a bag of shopping and a burger isn’t going to make posters say “oh sorry he’s actually wonderful ! Our mistake “ it seems you are hoping that posters on here will validate this relationship for you when surely you can see you are literally being used ?
A relationship is give and take .. but he’s just a taker and as long as you keep hanging your self on a plate , he’ll take .
Re examine your values and raise your standards because this man is bargain basement tat .. why would you want to accept that when you could have better ?
He clearly does not love, value or respect you . You are a convenience to him, nothing more .
Start making yourself unavailable, and I guarantee this lowlife will disappear into the sunset and fgs don’t move him in with you

QueenSmartypants · 18/01/2023 17:34

@ClaraK please keep posting. I understand your responses are what you've been seeing as proof that he does love you and it will take time to get your head round things.

None of us think that these little, occasional acts of politeness are proof of love but its OK if you need to offer up more.

You've invested 5 years with him, I know hard it is to let go and think about being without him - I've been there. Nor do I underestimate your love for him. (I've been there too) .

But, honestly, if it was your friend telling this story, what would you say to her?

Something else stood out to me in your messages. What his father has been saying to him about not letting you get your hands on his money.

You've been doing everything for him for 5 years, he hasn't had to lift a finger let alone put one in his wallet and this is how they see you??

That alone should tell you everything you need to know. I wonder how talks about you when you're not around, how he let's others talk about you.
**
What have your other relationships been like? Is he your first love?
**
**

ClaraK · 18/01/2023 17:39

@QueenSmartypants Not my first love, but I've never been with someone as long as this relationship has. In fact I've never been with anyone through Valentines or shared Christmas with as I have with my Boyfriend. In fact my first year with him, was the first time I moved into my home (although not together). 6 years together is even upsetting talking about it and I haven't even spoken to him yet.

OP posts:
QueenSmartypants · 18/01/2023 17:40

Quantity doesn't equal quality @clarak

You really do deserve soo much better.

What do you get out of this relationship?

AlickDolly · 18/01/2023 17:46

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

ClaraK · 18/01/2023 17:48

@QueenSmartypants Hugs, being told "I love you", walks around town, his little qwerks that make me smile, isn't in to Football or going out getting drunk in fact he's like a big kid at times which is why I fell for him. But then there's the downside which I posted already. It's a complete polar opposite. His entire family more so his brother is all about Money. He hates his Dad a lot.

My mum however is completely different as is my Dad. If ever I needed help they'd help and wouldn't expect anything in return even I I tried. My mum used to say, what's the point of having all that money, you can't take it with you.

OP posts:
SmileyClare · 18/01/2023 17:49

It’s clear you’re not happy and you’re struggling financially.

Hes a huge drain on your very limited income. You say you have an income of £500- 700 a month?
You would qualify for Universal Credit on such low income.

Im assuming you’re quite young although you say you were diagnosed with mental health issues in late adulthood. Would you be classed as vulnerable? Do you qualify for help with accommodation?

Something feels off, I think you’re being taken advantage of by this man, and you can’t see it for some reason x

crumpet · 18/01/2023 17:58

I’m so sorry, but this is not a good relationship. You are doing so much and receiving so little in return. He’s using you. He might like you, but he certainly doesn’t like you enough to put any effort in. You would be so much better without him on so many levels.

gamerchick · 18/01/2023 18:01

ClaraK · 18/01/2023 16:54

@gamerchick sorry, I'll say no more

Don't say sorry to me. Read the replies and get some fire in your belly and tell him to piss off. He's using you.

Naunet · 18/01/2023 18:07

OP, one of the most important lessons I’ve learnt in life is that love is over rated. By that, I don’t mean it isn’t essential in a relationship, it is, but this ‘love is all you need’ stuff is wrong. Respect, loyalty, trust, kindness etc are just as important to make a relationship work. Do you really think this person is treating you with respect?

sianiboo · 18/01/2023 18:32

If your 'income' is £500 a month, I'm guessing you are on ESA, in the support group. You shouldn't be spending a penny to keep this farce of a relationship going.

QueenSmartypants · 18/01/2023 18:50

Hugs, being told "I love you", walks around town, his little qwerks that make me smile, isn't in to Football or going out getting drunk in fact he's like a big kid at times which is why I fell for him.

Reading that made me feel all warm inside :) they're the things I loved about my ex and he used to make me laugh. They're the things I look back on fondly, are memories I treasure and am so grateful for.

He's still an ex though, because at the end of the day they weren't enough. Not to build a life together.

I'm not trying to convince you to break up with him btw, not my place, but I do want you to see that you can have a happy life without him.

Heartbreak does heal. And every relationship has to face the Make or Break: in spite of the lovely things, in spite of the love, is it strong enough to commit together for ever?

Because a pp is right- fairness, mutual support and respect are what it takes. Sharing the load - emotional, financial, domestic. Not taking each other for granted. Going out the way for each other.

I'm not disputing your love for him - no one is - nor the reasons why you fell for him. No one falls in love with someone who's horrid all the time! But I think we've all been through it in one way or another and come out the other side.

Look through the posts of women who've
stayed with men who do bugger all. Who keep total control of the finances. While the women move hundreds of miles, sacrifice their choices and desires to make it work because they don't realise how unbalanced it is. Until its 20 years later.

If you believed wholeheartedly he'd be different were you to move in together, it would be a different kettle of fish. But you don't and you know you don't, or you wouldn't have posted.

ShellsOnTheBeach · 18/01/2023 18:58

I think the OP's boyfriend is actually a woman and she has posted about this relationship before. And got much the same advice.

There's no helping some people, sadly.

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