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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

Insecure about money and new relationship

10 replies

Pippa2017 · 22/06/2023 14:14

I was in quite a strange relationship a few years ago, where I felt I was charmed into something that was not necessarily real per say. I was very much, I feel at that time naive and possibly love bombed by someone who couldnt offer me anything, other than his charm nor security or any love for that matter.

Since a few years later, I have met this lovely man, we are still going through a few things when it comes to his divorce, which he cant get to until his house is sold with the ex, its on the market as we speak and we would like to think it sells this year and she has agreed with the solicitor what he gets and its all confirmed etc.

Now please dont judge me, its just me who has gone through the above with an ex and my background which puts me in a rather insecure and also unpredictable feel when I am around my current new partner.

So he is in his late 40s, no pension/savings or house of his own for around 4 years now, he has rented etc.... as he was with his ex for 15 years or more, he doesnt have anything to his name, apart from getting money from the house sale which seems reasonable etc and has a fabulous job, which he works hard at etc and incredibly stable with it.

So, I have my own house, parents are very comfortable, pension/savings/lots of equity in the house and run my own business. I would say I have a lot to offer and hopefully a nice person :)

After my divorce and the last relationship, where I nearly lost my business and lost a lot from the divorce to start everything on my own, its put me in a very wary prudish position and I cant stop over thinking, what if this guy doesnt make me feel secure in the future? as he has never secured himself with his ex? his job is secure but is he? its like I am paranoid and he keeps on saying, it would be nice to just try and go with the flow instead of being a rollercoaster ride...then he says, but only you know what you want as I am feeling I am on a roller coaster ride with you. Which it must feel this way, as I am very much up and down with those over analysing thoughts.

He offers me a lot of emotion, love, passion, happiness and fun, as well as loyalty and security in other areas, but the way I have been brought up, he says to me I sound very pretentious, but I think its just me protecting myself as I dont mean to sound this way, but he says he gets it! We are complete opposite in our lifestyles/upbringing too.

Anyone else been in this situation, where I would like someone who is possibly financially equal but he isnt, however he works hard, he has no family, as in siblings, or parents as both passed not long ago, he was adopted and friends are just non existent, apart from one. Whereas I am very close to mum/dad/lots of friends/lovely upbringing and secure with my family, so loving etc...my mum says we are so different and worries, he has nothing secure in his future for me, which has made me feel quite upset about and its stuck in my mind. Was that a wrong thing for her to say? He says isnt love enough?

He worries in case we are mismatched because of our backgrounds etc but yet I do love him, and love how he treats me and never had anyone like this, compared to the cold/arrogant/nasty ones in my past etc.

Thoughts anyone?? as I dont treat him badly, I just worry about this issue as its more my own insecurities from the past and my upbringing, what my mum has said has stuck in my head too..... he cant help he hasnt the same, its just as it is and everyday its in my thoughts, which is at times pulling us apart!!

it makes me sad, I wish I could let this go...!!

OP posts:
Berthatydfil · 22/06/2023 14:22

Well for a man in his position no house no money no pension no savings you seem like the answer to his every dream. So I would be very wary.
Does he work? If so what does he do and how much does he earn?
Why no pension or savings? For a man of his age with half his working life gone just what was he going to live on in his old age??
No family or friends to back up what he is telling you - how fortunate.
Have you seen evidence of the house and the equity?

Pippa2017 · 22/06/2023 14:26

Berthatydfil · 22/06/2023 14:22

Well for a man in his position no house no money no pension no savings you seem like the answer to his every dream. So I would be very wary.
Does he work? If so what does he do and how much does he earn?
Why no pension or savings? For a man of his age with half his working life gone just what was he going to live on in his old age??
No family or friends to back up what he is telling you - how fortunate.
Have you seen evidence of the house and the equity?

I know, this is my concern too, its more his age also and why didnt he have anything whilst he was married, he looked after the child, didnt work for 8 of those years etc. So yes I know what he earns, its a really good salary and I can see the house is on the market but havent seen the evidence re what she has agreed to give him, just confirmed it on sale of the house etc. I feel as I am getting older, I am getting more aware, I also think how hard my dad has worked and what he has offered me and my brother, and given me a lovely life its like I totally respect him and he wont be around forever either!

OP posts:
Wishimaywishimight · 22/06/2023 14:31

If he's late 40s, with a "fabulous job" how come he has no pension or savings?

I would be very wary of someone at this stage of life who has no financial security. He's only 20 years from retirement - could he be looking for some security himself and finding in you?

I think you are right to be cautious. I would not merge finances ever and would hold off living with him for a couple of years at least to see how things go.

Farmageddon · 22/06/2023 14:38

I would say just take things slow and see how it progresses, but be wary of paying for things or ending up subsidising him.
Theoretically if his house sells soon, he should have enough equity to buy a small place of his own, and with a good job he could then start paying into a pension. In a few years he could well be in a much better financial position.

But in the mean time, don't move in with him, and don't pay for everything. It doesn't necessarily mean you can't date him - unless you want a certain lifestyle which is incompatible with his.

Imissingrid · 22/06/2023 15:36

An unfortunate term but you’re the cash cow ( as was I) Sorry.
exactly the situation my ex husband was in. He was very keen that we get married, pushed and pushed. I also had my own business, own house. Within 2 years he’d almost bankrupted me. I was even paying his children’s maintenance to his ex at one point.
Walk away. Do not ever let him move in with you.

Tendu · 22/06/2023 15:51

What does he mean you sound ‘pretentious’? He doesn’t sound particularly nice, and the comments about ‘going with the flow’ sound like code for ‘Let me move in with you and subsidise me without asking awkward questions about my lack of savings, my fabulous job somehow not translating to money, and my lack of friends and family to contradict my handwavy explanations for the lack of money from the marital home’…

How long have you been seeing him, OP? I think you’re misusing the word ‘prudish’, but you’re perfectly right to be cautious. Don’t give him any money, don’t pay for things, don’t move him in. That is, if you must keep seeing him. I wouldn’t.

Pippa2017 · 22/06/2023 16:15

Tendu · 22/06/2023 15:51

What does he mean you sound ‘pretentious’? He doesn’t sound particularly nice, and the comments about ‘going with the flow’ sound like code for ‘Let me move in with you and subsidise me without asking awkward questions about my lack of savings, my fabulous job somehow not translating to money, and my lack of friends and family to contradict my handwavy explanations for the lack of money from the marital home’…

How long have you been seeing him, OP? I think you’re misusing the word ‘prudish’, but you’re perfectly right to be cautious. Don’t give him any money, don’t pay for things, don’t move him in. That is, if you must keep seeing him. I wouldn’t.

Well he said, when he first met me, he said he wasnt too sure I was pretentious or not, and he used it again last night saying. "You are sounding pretentious" as in, I think, he meant all wrapped up in money/myself assuming I am better than him or above him...which is not the case at all. Its merely me protecting myself. I was more serious than him when I first met him, I thought he came across like a little all over the place/too happy, (if there is such a thing) I am naturally a listener/thinker and I was just trying to explain to him, we have different backgrounds/upbringing and friendships, which is true....I wont be giving him any money for sure, or moving him in, I will be looking out for myself which I am doing now!! I have been seeing him since late last year. So still quite new...

OP posts:
AgentJohnson · 22/06/2023 16:36

So you have no plans in moving him in, combining finances etc. So what is the issue? If you can’t get past him not matching your income/ assets then do everyone a favour and walk away now. It sounds like financial security is important to you and if you don’t intend on combining finances, why would his lack of assets make you feel insecure?

Your insecurities are your responsibility. It isn’t his responsibility to fix them. If someone I was dating took issue with me renting, not being able to match their income/ assets and kept bringing it up, I would walk away because I won’t be made to feel less than by anybody for any reason.

Bananalanacake · 22/06/2023 16:40

What's the problem, enjoy the relationship as it is, there is no need to move in with him at all and certainly don't combine finances.

Whatonearth07957 · 22/06/2023 18:45

Hmmm lack of friends and subtlely negging your valid concerns at 40 plus. Not worked for 8 years with previous partner. It doesn't sound like you're on the same page, you'll be the grown up and he'll be the man child. If you want more than a bit of fun I'd move on op.

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