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He isn't skint.

1000 replies

AmIbeingUn · 19/10/2024 09:32

NC for this as personal/outing. Am wondering AIBU? Or WWYD?

Began seeing a local man met on OLD. We matched so perfectly: same age, local, some mutual acquaintances, similar hobbies, outlook, politics, music taste, humour etc. Found him incredibly sexually and emotionally attractive and vice versa.

We became very close and cosy very quickly: daily contact, usually in person, in and out of each others' houses for coffee and a chat, sleeping over at each others houses often, meeting each other's friends and family. Talked loads, for hours, about a wide range of subjects and very frankly. Within weeks we were so close and comfortable with one another it felt like we'd been together for ages.

The only thing that wasn't perfect was that he had no spare spending money. He had gone part time at work to give him the time to renovate his house, singlehandedly, and those renovations also ate up all the money he had left over after paying mortgage and bills. He warned me that, until the house was finished and he returned to full time working, he could not afford to spend much on going out, going away, buying me gifts, unless it was cheap and we split the costs. I am not materialistic so I did not care and to be honest I am a homely person who is more than happy to have dates at each other's houses, cooking each other a meal or watching a film. For Xmas he saw something in a charity shop window which he knew I would love and he even admitted it had cost him only £2 and said he felt guilty and mean and sorry and hoped I would tolerate his being skint until he got back to work and could treat me properly and take me to a swanky restaurant now and again.

Whilst chatting and being in his home whilst things were happening in his daily life he would mention now and again that he was down to his last few pounds, or that the purchase of some essential building materials or an emergency dental problem or vet bill had wiped his bank account. I am not wealthy but I do have a couple of hundred pounds left over every month which I usually just put into a savings account. He never once asked me for money and in fact when I offered to lend him money once or twice he absolutely refused. When I offered to treat him to a fancy meal out or a theatre ticket he also refused, saying that unless he could pay at least his own share, he would not go. I saw these refusals as a confirmation of his honesty and integrity.

One day I was at his house reading the paper after breakfast and he was opposite me on his laptop. As he went to answer the front door I took the dirty plates to the sink and as I turned round to walk back to the table I could not help myself, my eyes were drawn to the screen which had some kind of spreadsheet of figures. I was absolutely staggered to see that he had stocks and shares and an ISA totalling £1.5m. When he came back into the room I just pretended I had not seen anything because I knew I should not have been snooping but I went home and was literally in shock and also really angry that he had been lying to me the whole time.

Next time I stayed at his I deliberately snooped when he was in the shower, and read an open letter about the sale of a flat he owned (which he had never mentioned to me). £250,000 from the sale had been deposited into my boyfriend's bank account about a week before, and yet that very day he had been saying how broke he was.

Am I in the wrong for snooping or is he in the wrong for telling me for a whole year the lie that he is struggling financially from month to month?

What would you do? Confront him and admit you snooped? End it? Tell yourself his finances are none of your business?

OP posts:
user8634216758 · 19/10/2024 12:50

I would say meanness is very hard to live with and I can see why you're feeling betrayed.
However, if he is loaded, it makes sense to keep quiet about it initially, maybe he’s just got stuck in the story and can’t see how to come clean?

But, you’ve no idea really what the story behind the money is. You need to talk to him. For example, he could be POA for his mother or other elderly relative and it could be their accounts/house sale you’ve seen. I’ve been POA and anyone snooping would have thought it mine at a quick glance at a laptop.
Talk to him!

Namechangejustincase24 · 19/10/2024 12:51

What’s the timeframe for him going back to work full time? If it’s say 6 months I would wait and see if his outlook changes, I think it’s fine to want to have an ‘equal’ relationship in the sense that you are not missing out because of him.

helgel · 19/10/2024 12:51

He's not very bright really. 2 hours of commuting for a 4 hour job. Hoarding money for his old age, when he might never get old. Lying to the woman he loves in case of.......what exactly? I'm not sure how you can continue with this relationship OP, which is really sad, but you can't turn the clock back and he has treated you with such disrespect.

In his eyes you are not to be trusted, when in fact the reverse is true. Everything he says to explain away his stingyness is a lie.....he's a liar.

Livelovebehappy · 19/10/2024 12:51

Tbh, he hasn’t rinsed you for money, or taken advantage of you financially. And as pp have said, it may be that him being comfortably off financially may have caused issues in previous relationships, eg, gold diggers, expectations of him paying for everything or not being sure if people are with him for his money or for him.

Smokesandeats · 19/10/2024 12:52

Telling lies by omission is still telling lies. He’s deceived you about something that is very important. There is nothing wrong with being careful with money, but this man is not only prepared to live like a miser but expects you to do the same. I would also now be really feeling annoyed about the £2 present and carton of ribena at the theatre as that is such extreme behaviour. Sorry to say it, but this relationship has no future as he hasn’t been honest.

TheShellBeach · 19/10/2024 12:53

OP I used to work for a bollocks like this.
He always shopped in Netto.

He was so tight that he refused to use carrier bags, and his children had to bring the shopping in from the boot in handfuls.

It was pathetic.

ginasevern · 19/10/2024 13:01

Saving/accumulating money can be a very powerful addiction. I had an aunt who spent her life like this. She denied herself treats, shopped in charity shops etc. She did occasionally go on holiday but stayed in youth hostels (she was in her 60's) when she did. She had a good job and had inherited money. She also owned outright a large house. She had no need to live like this but she did until the day she died.

StarDolphins · 19/10/2024 13:01

I’m like your DP on a much, much smaller scale & I think it’s because I want to make my own financial decisions. My Ex didn’t know I had savings, he also knew I had a low paid job so there was no pressure on me to spend.

I’m a massive saver & some people don’t get that. I guarantee my ex would’ve continually pecked/questioned why I had a 10 year old car had he known I had money in the bank. We just had v v different attitudes towards loans/credit/spending.

Maybe he’s like this.

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 19/10/2024 13:01

IMustDoMoreExercise · 19/10/2024 12:50

Well, it might seem odd to you, but there is no way I would tell anyone that I hae substantial savings even after 2 years.

But the OP has also said that he does not know if he will be able to go full time again and he is worried about getting another job at his age.

The £1.5m could be his pension and might have to last him until he is 90.

OK, people see these things differently. I wouldn't want to be in a relationship where the financial position of one partner was still deadly secret after two years, or in a relationship with someone who claims he is working towards being able to buy me a meal one day, whilst owning at least 1.75M. But each to their own.
If he's saving up for his pension, maybe he will splash out on a birthday gift for his partner after he's retired! Something to look forward to.

amothersinstinct · 19/10/2024 13:03

He isn't a millionaire- not really - only on paper - if I counted my pension, house equity and future inheritance I'd be a millionaire but I also consider myself skint 😂 and I'm not working part time whilst also renovating

He is also the best part of two decades away from retirement and doing expensive house works - £250k in the bank is likely earmarked for that and his £1.5m is his pension fund.

He might be right but you snooped and broke his trust. I know which is worse

Ohnobackagain · 19/10/2024 13:03

@AmIbeingUn I used to feel guilty about spending money despite working my arse off for it and deserving it. I have finally started spending some on me because - what if I drop dead tomorrow? Ok so I need to save for my pension, so every pay rise the extra goes to pension. But - what is it all for otherwise? As we get older with things like mortgage paid off and so on, in theory we need less money, until we need ‘care’ but even allowing for that you can budget ahead if need be. Perhaps you could start a conversation along the lines of YOU want to enjoy the fruits of YOUR hard work - and be able to treat him from time to time - but you’d love for HIM to join in - and ask what’s stopping him? Maybe someone stole from him, maybe his parents drilled into him not to borrow or lend and so on. Or worse, convinced him he is not worthy. If he can’t ‘join in’ then maybe this relationship, such as it is, is not enough for you. Or, you do all the things you want and let him see you will. But he needs to see we are all a long time dead. He could make a ‘going away’ savings pot and ringfence everything else maybe.

Engineweld · 19/10/2024 13:06

AmIbeingUn · 19/10/2024 09:32

NC for this as personal/outing. Am wondering AIBU? Or WWYD?

Began seeing a local man met on OLD. We matched so perfectly: same age, local, some mutual acquaintances, similar hobbies, outlook, politics, music taste, humour etc. Found him incredibly sexually and emotionally attractive and vice versa.

We became very close and cosy very quickly: daily contact, usually in person, in and out of each others' houses for coffee and a chat, sleeping over at each others houses often, meeting each other's friends and family. Talked loads, for hours, about a wide range of subjects and very frankly. Within weeks we were so close and comfortable with one another it felt like we'd been together for ages.

The only thing that wasn't perfect was that he had no spare spending money. He had gone part time at work to give him the time to renovate his house, singlehandedly, and those renovations also ate up all the money he had left over after paying mortgage and bills. He warned me that, until the house was finished and he returned to full time working, he could not afford to spend much on going out, going away, buying me gifts, unless it was cheap and we split the costs. I am not materialistic so I did not care and to be honest I am a homely person who is more than happy to have dates at each other's houses, cooking each other a meal or watching a film. For Xmas he saw something in a charity shop window which he knew I would love and he even admitted it had cost him only £2 and said he felt guilty and mean and sorry and hoped I would tolerate his being skint until he got back to work and could treat me properly and take me to a swanky restaurant now and again.

Whilst chatting and being in his home whilst things were happening in his daily life he would mention now and again that he was down to his last few pounds, or that the purchase of some essential building materials or an emergency dental problem or vet bill had wiped his bank account. I am not wealthy but I do have a couple of hundred pounds left over every month which I usually just put into a savings account. He never once asked me for money and in fact when I offered to lend him money once or twice he absolutely refused. When I offered to treat him to a fancy meal out or a theatre ticket he also refused, saying that unless he could pay at least his own share, he would not go. I saw these refusals as a confirmation of his honesty and integrity.

One day I was at his house reading the paper after breakfast and he was opposite me on his laptop. As he went to answer the front door I took the dirty plates to the sink and as I turned round to walk back to the table I could not help myself, my eyes were drawn to the screen which had some kind of spreadsheet of figures. I was absolutely staggered to see that he had stocks and shares and an ISA totalling £1.5m. When he came back into the room I just pretended I had not seen anything because I knew I should not have been snooping but I went home and was literally in shock and also really angry that he had been lying to me the whole time.

Next time I stayed at his I deliberately snooped when he was in the shower, and read an open letter about the sale of a flat he owned (which he had never mentioned to me). £250,000 from the sale had been deposited into my boyfriend's bank account about a week before, and yet that very day he had been saying how broke he was.

Am I in the wrong for snooping or is he in the wrong for telling me for a whole year the lie that he is struggling financially from month to month?

What would you do? Confront him and admit you snooped? End it? Tell yourself his finances are none of your business?

It's nothing to do with fear of someone using him for his money, the charity shop gift clearly shows that. If that was truly the case, then he would avoid all conversations concerning money.
And I really don't want to hurt your feelings even more but it definitely sounds like he just doesn't think enough of you for him to be honest.
His refusal at offers of help were just out of guilt.

It's up to you if you choose to confront him but the confrontation about him lieing will lead to coming off him (even though he's lied for absolutely no good reason) and twisting round onto you so you feel awful for snooping.

I was in a similar situation a few years ago and even though I ended up believing his excuses, he never changed. If anything, he got worse because I'd "forgiven" him and in his mind, I'd also given my approval for him to be even more stingy.

CecilyP · 19/10/2024 13:06

There is a huge middle ground between being loaded and being broke. He could have kept quiet about the extent of his wealth while still being generous (or just normal). This guy is mean, he has lied and he has also put a block to them doing any fun things together that cost money even when OP has offered to pay. This guy is a true miser!

Polyp0 · 19/10/2024 13:08

there is no way I would tell anyone that I hae substantial savings even after 2 years

Why not? What are you scared of?

Imfreetofeelgood · 19/10/2024 13:09

CaptainCabinetsTrappedInCabinets · 19/10/2024 09:41

His finances are none of your business! I mean, he could likely bang on less about being super skint BUT people don't amass 1.5mil by spending.

You don't say how long you've been seeing each other op?

Edited

It is her business, because it affects her. He is limiting her choices - she's offered to treat him before, so even if OP is 'homely' by nature, she sees the benefits if occassional "treats". If he had been honest and told her he has money, but doesn't want to spend it, she may not have been so happy to be content with so little. She may have seen him as what he is - mean with money. A scrooge. He's a liar, and that's even worse.

betterangels · 19/10/2024 13:09

CaptainCabinetsTrappedInCabinets · 19/10/2024 10:26

I don't think he sees your relationship as serious as you seem too.

You dont live together
You have no joint financial responsibilities
He was upfront about his views on spending
He always pays his way and refuses any subbing you offer.

I really don't see how he is taking the piss in any way, shape or form.

His finances are none of your business.

You need to decide if you see this relationship going long term/moving in together and if so have this conversation. Not a money conversation.

If you decide to take the next step THEN there's a money conversation.

You seem very preoccupied with money. The £2 gift you admitted he knew you would love. What does it matter way he spent?

Agree with this. I just don't think it's your business. He hasn't made you pay for everything.

CharlotteStreetW1 · 19/10/2024 13:11

I think next time you suggest something like going out for dinner and he says he can't afford it, just give him the Paddigton hard stare.

Assuming you want to stay with him at all.

FrenchandSaunders · 19/10/2024 13:15

Such an unattractive trait. Why deny himself a nice lifestyle with weekends away and holidays and decent theatre seats … and also subject you to that! I’d be off. No coming back from this.

SweetSakura · 19/10/2024 13:16

CecilyP · 19/10/2024 13:06

There is a huge middle ground between being loaded and being broke. He could have kept quiet about the extent of his wealth while still being generous (or just normal). This guy is mean, he has lied and he has also put a block to them doing any fun things together that cost money even when OP has offered to pay. This guy is a true miser!

Exactly. He didnt need to hand over his bank statements on the first date (or ever) and op wasn't wanting to live off him in fact she has been clear she was happy to pay her way

But he was totally deceitful /disingenuous to claim he had no money.

justasking111 · 19/10/2024 13:16

He could be faffing in this house for another decade if he's doing everything himself.

@AmIbeingUn is in her mid fifties now, she could still be hanging on as a pensioner.

Nah life's too short she should cool it and crack on with her own life.

SweetSakura · 19/10/2024 13:17

betterangels · 19/10/2024 13:09

Agree with this. I just don't think it's your business. He hasn't made you pay for everything.

He hasn't made her pay, but he has refused to do lots of things op would enjoy and been very dishonest in his reasoning.

ExtraVotes · 19/10/2024 13:20

Some strange viewpoints on this thread.
I am well off but will shop in charity shops. I like to because it feels more environmentally sound than buying new stuff. I also like the fact that my money is going to a charity than a private company. I also take my own drinks to the theatre and would be reluctant to buy extortionately priced sweets. It doesn't make me tight. I spend my own money however I want.

As for buying the cheap seats in the theatre, I don't think that is unusual. I bet lots of people sitting in the 'cheap' seats could afford to pay more but choose not to.

One thing I wonder is whether his savings have come from his parents and if he is saving it in case his Mum needs care in future. If his parents gifted him the money 7 years prior to the death of his father then it wouldn't be liable to inheritance tax. It's sensible tax planning.

Lemonadeand · 19/10/2024 13:21

KittyGetSmall · 19/10/2024 09:41

Could he be some kind on con artist and leaving his laptop open is the first part of him playing you some way?

You confront him and he says he has xyz but needs to borrow abc to access it?

That’s a good point.

northernsouldownsouth · 19/10/2024 13:21

I'd feel upset about this too OP. It is a deception on his part. He's led you to believe something that is very different in reality and he's been living that deception. A £2 charity shop gift for Christmas against your £75 coat for him is just the tip of the iceberg. I'm not surprised you're angry.

You have to take a deep breath and tackle it head on - the genie is out the bottle now. Be prepared that it might end the relationship, but to be honest, there's no going back now and every stingy act on his part in the future will really start to grate.

NovemberMorn · 19/10/2024 13:22

I only read the first page, and that was enough.
Whether he is a millionaire or a pauper, it makes no difference.
He is a liar, and if he can lie about something as important as money (and money IS important when you are in a relationship) he can and will lie about other things.
Liars can't be trusted...if you can live with this knowledge, that's entirely up to you.

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