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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

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:
BubblePerm · 19/10/2024 16:16

Just have a conversation with him Op. Tell him you cannot have a relationship with a money obsessed liar.

YellowphantGrey · 19/10/2024 16:17

😂 bless you and your poor attempts at insults.

Would you prefer I screamed and raged that he's a conning untrustworthy bastard and she's done nothing wrong?

😂

NiftyKoala · 19/10/2024 16:18

Stingy wallet stingy heart. There is no fixing a stingy miser. Run.

Outnumberedmummy2022 · 19/10/2024 16:20

Silvertulips · 19/10/2024 09:42

Maybe other woman have liked the money more than him? Maybe he’s looking for love not love of his money.

I came here to say this too. He’s probably making sure the relationship is genuine.

AmIbeingUn · 19/10/2024 16:20

AutumnCrow · 19/10/2024 15:43

OP, does he actually know that you own a million quid house, have savings and a good income? And presumably also good pension arrangements?

My worry would be that his love of money is so great that he is eyeing up yours on top of his own stash.

Maybe he is the playing the long game here in some way, or is simply unhinged in the love-of-money department. I can see why you feel angry that he has been dishonest - it's unsettling behaviour.

Yes, because he knows I own my house outright and he keeps abreast of local property values so he could easily go onto Rightmove and suchlike and see what other houses like mine have sold for.

He knows about my savings because he helped me set up an account online to buy stocks and shares and an ISA. But he has never asked me for money.

I have a small company pension but his is worth much more. He did mention once that his company pension is "extremely good" and he has worked there over 20 yrs.

OP posts:
RhubarbieRhubarbie · 19/10/2024 16:22

For me a miserly man is extremely unattractive.
I feel like this man will use his unfinished house as a way to never progress your relationship to the next level. If you wish to cohabitate at some point, I think you are going to be waiting a very long time.

I think you have no choice but to tell him what you saw, and take it from there. You need to understand not what his excuses are, but what his attitude to money, commitment, and sacrifice in the name of a relationship are.

AmIbeingUn · 19/10/2024 16:25

schoolfeeslave · 19/10/2024 11:16

More about how much you can put in per year - I think the most you could have contributed is £350k so the investment growth has been 5x

I only had a few seconds to see what was on the screen. There was a list of different kinds of investments. All I could take away from what I saw was one line said stocks and shares and another said ISA. I cannot remember what amounts were in which account. In bold it gave the total which was about £1.5m. It was actually something like £1,478,284.09 (for example)

I don't know how much of that was ISA and how much in stocks and shares. It does not matter. The point is he talks about how skint he is on a daily basis, every time he needs to buy materials, take the cat to the vet, get new workboots, or go to the dentist.

OP posts:
EmTTC2 · 19/10/2024 16:26

AmIbeingUn · 19/10/2024 16:02

Oh my!

516 replies! I only expected to get 10 to 20. It will take me the rest of the day to read them all, which I will because I want the advice and thoughts, but will only reply if there is a direct question.

Many thanks everyone for your time and trouble. x

Tell him you know he is not skint. No one wants to be with a miser or a liar & unfortunately, he is both. Cut your losses & walk away now

KickAssAngel · 19/10/2024 16:26

This does sound obsessive and like he doesn't actually really have control over his behavior. He's living a fantasy life. Most fantasists live extravagant lifestyles but he's gone the opposite way. He's constructed a lie about being skint and having to save money and now that lie is running his life.

I expect if you confront him he'd be very defensive and angry as he'd find it hard to admit to reality.

thepariscrimefiles · 19/10/2024 16:27

Stravaig · 19/10/2024 16:12

He sounds commendably sensible, both in matters of finance and of the heart. You deliberately snooping through his finances would be an immediate dealbreaker for me. It's an invasion of privacy, a betrayal of trust, and none of your business. Then to post extensive identifiable details online as though it is you who have been wronged! It is incredibly exposing.

You can only be in a relationship with the person who is right in front of you at the time. If you didn't like that he wasn't spending money, you should have said so, and ended it. You told yourself that something was okay for you when it clearly was not.

You can only be in a relationship with as much of someone as they choose to share with you. If you discover something else about them, via indirect means, then you have a dilemma. You can hold your own counsel until they choose to open up that part of themselves to you (if they ever do). Or, you can ask them about it directly (which risks forcing something which was not happening organically). Or, you can end the relationship (due to the discrepancy between what you previously thought and the new information).

Snooping for more information, publishing online, concocting stories in your head, and still not asking him about it, it's a parade of bright red flags.

Tl;dr: You and he are not compatible. Find someone who spends money freely (and is as unscrupulous as you are).

He is the unscrupulous one, not OP. Pretending to have no money when you are a millionaire is underhand and manipulative. OP took him entirely at his word and offered to pay for things and lend him money. They have no nights out and no holidays which OP has accepted due to his financial situation. The £2 Christmas gift that he apologised for and said that he felt guilty about but he had no money, but accepted a £75 winter coat from OP is the icing on the cake.

OP only saw the spreadsheet on his laptop by accident and was completely shocked. She doesn't want his money, she just wanted a normal relationship where couples go out occasionally and people with £1.5 million in the bank will buy their partner a bag of Maltesers.

She is financially independent and not looking for a meal ticket. He didn't need to tell her how much money he has. He just shouldn't pretend that he is skint. She is shocked at his deceit.

KittyEmK · 19/10/2024 16:27

The issue is that he has deceived you. It also sounds like you're incompatible, you want to live life and do interesting things, he wants to either stay at home or only do things that interest him. He sounds selfish. I would be tempted to confront him.

RhubarbieRhubarbie · 19/10/2024 16:28

And we all make choices about our priorities when it comes to spending... not once in two years has he treated you. Not even to a packet of bloody Maltesers.

AmIbeingUn · 19/10/2024 16:30

Also a lot of the food in his fridge is marked with discount stickers because it's nearly out of date so he must seek these things out deliberately.

Over the 21 months I have known him I have bought him little spontaneous gifts many times, whilst I am doing my own shopping, because I have felt sorry for him. For example, thermal gloves, vest and longjohns for working outdoors, smoked salmon and craft ale and luxury chocolate biscuits, thinking I was helping him out.

OP posts:
YellowphantGrey · 19/10/2024 16:33

AmIbeingUn · 19/10/2024 16:30

Also a lot of the food in his fridge is marked with discount stickers because it's nearly out of date so he must seek these things out deliberately.

Over the 21 months I have known him I have bought him little spontaneous gifts many times, whilst I am doing my own shopping, because I have felt sorry for him. For example, thermal gloves, vest and longjohns for working outdoors, smoked salmon and craft ale and luxury chocolate biscuits, thinking I was helping him out.

You chose to do those things, he didn't ask. He's choosing not to spend his money on you.

Your relationship and compatability isn't that great if you can't talk to him and you're both essentially lying to each other

EmTTC2 · 19/10/2024 16:33

AmIbeingUn · 19/10/2024 16:30

Also a lot of the food in his fridge is marked with discount stickers because it's nearly out of date so he must seek these things out deliberately.

Over the 21 months I have known him I have bought him little spontaneous gifts many times, whilst I am doing my own shopping, because I have felt sorry for him. For example, thermal gloves, vest and longjohns for working outdoors, smoked salmon and craft ale and luxury chocolate biscuits, thinking I was helping him out.

You are giving yourself all the answers to your own questions. He's not going to change. Either accept this is as good as life gets with this man or walk away

CaribouCarafe · 19/10/2024 16:34

Interesting reading OP's perspective about her partner denying himself life's pleasures, but in reality I think her partner enjoys working out ways to be as frugal as possible. My dad is similar, grew up very poor and is now rich but will drive around town to find out where sells the cheapest screws, always walks looking at the pavement in case there's something of value to be picked up (including screws...clearly one of his passions!).

I think it was bad form for him to say he was skint rather than just saying he wasn't willing to spend on x, y, z. But I do understand his perspective on separating out investments from his general income - I'm the same, my ISA and investments are for retirement and future planning and have no weight on my daily expenditure.

As an aside, I'm a high earner and regularly buy from Vinted/Charity Shops/Facebook Marketplace etc because I see buying from Marks and Spencers (for example) as not offering much additional value. I don't see it as depriving myself. I do, however, buy my friends and family nice presents straight from the shop though and see a £2 charity shop gift as poor form if I could spend more.

I'd be very offput by a partner who gives much thought on my parents' property value or assets to be bequeathed upon death, there's also no guarantee they wouldn't just donate the lot to the local cat shelter so it's unfair to count this towards his wealth.

OP I think you're just not compatible with regards to financial mindset - if you can't get past this then I'm afraid it's the end of the relationship.

Respectisnotoptional · 19/10/2024 16:34

AmIbeingUn · 19/10/2024 16:30

Also a lot of the food in his fridge is marked with discount stickers because it's nearly out of date so he must seek these things out deliberately.

Over the 21 months I have known him I have bought him little spontaneous gifts many times, whilst I am doing my own shopping, because I have felt sorry for him. For example, thermal gloves, vest and longjohns for working outdoors, smoked salmon and craft ale and luxury chocolate biscuits, thinking I was helping him out.

The more you say OP the more it seems he has an obsessive personality,
knowing the cost of a shower etc … it all seems to be adding up.
He’s probably not exactly mean just obsessive about money!

smilingeleanor · 19/10/2024 16:34

i don't have that amount but do own a large house outright, have savings and also earn relatively well

im not frugal but have had partners try and find out how much i have and question what im spending on, imply i should pay for them to come on holiday etc - its really off putting so i dont reveal much these days

that being said this still feels strange - he's probably told u the tale because this is actually how he wants to live and he knows it's not palatable for many if it's a choice rather than a situation he finds himself in- i'd be pissed off as he's presented his situation in a certain light to you

i'd say - so, Alan, why have you let me to believe money is so tight for you when it isn't

LavenderViolets · 19/10/2024 16:34

He’s utterly stingy and will end up bringing you down. He’s constant lies and not willing to spend to make his life easier when he could says it all. I’d move on, his constant lies tell you all you need to know. I would confront him but know he won’t change.

Goblinspy · 19/10/2024 16:35

You don’t need any reason to finish it. So just finish it!
He’s not going to change.

Respectisnotoptional · 19/10/2024 16:37

Are you absolutely certain that was his account not just some random financial page, you do need to be sure.

eatreadsleeprepeat · 19/10/2024 16:38

Financial hoarding is a possibility, it is possible to break the habit but if he has inherited this tendency from his mother it will be ingrained.
I think he may have taken decisions to allow saving which had less impact when there was only him involved. I know many people who buy from charity shops only who could well afford to buy new but who believe it is more ethical to not buy into the constantly replacing possessions mentality and economy. Similarly he has decided for whatever reason that he will do all the renovation himself, maybe this will give him a sense of satisfaction, maybe he likes to exercise control. People vary in how they view the accessibility of savings, some are capable of compartmentalising more that others, once the money is saved then it is not spending money. Part of the reason they do manage to save is by having this attitude. You and I might feel it better to enjoy some spending when still healthy enough to enjoy it, he might disagree.
You don’t need to feel exactly the same way about money for a relationship to work but between you it needs a balance of spend/save, good communication and mutual respect. I wonder if he thinks he is careful and principled and living by his beliefs while you see him as miserly and lying.

blueshoes · 19/10/2024 16:40

AmIbeingUn · 19/10/2024 16:25

I only had a few seconds to see what was on the screen. There was a list of different kinds of investments. All I could take away from what I saw was one line said stocks and shares and another said ISA. I cannot remember what amounts were in which account. In bold it gave the total which was about £1.5m. It was actually something like £1,478,284.09 (for example)

I don't know how much of that was ISA and how much in stocks and shares. It does not matter. The point is he talks about how skint he is on a daily basis, every time he needs to buy materials, take the cat to the vet, get new workboots, or go to the dentist.

He is probably feeling skint because come the inaugural budget in 30 October, Labour are going to tax him out of his riches.

<could not resist it, ignore me> He is not skint.

FFSWherearemyglasses · 19/10/2024 16:41

AmIbeingUn · 19/10/2024 16:12

Thank you for that. I've never heard of money hoarding before. He complains sometimes that his mother is a hoarder. She has filled her four empty bedrooms with papers and magazines collected over decades which she will "get around to reading" when she isn't so busy with this and that. As an only child he knows it will all be down to him one day to get rid of it all.

Now I wonder if hoarding might be hereditary.

Reading the article also reminds me that he knows exactly how much everything costs. Like, a shower costs him 85p, running the dishwasher, £1.15, the washing machine, £1.30 so he does laundry at night when the electric is cheaper. I've never met anyone before who knew all these figures and was impressed but now I see it in a different light: unnecessary and extreme miserliness.

Jesus wept this bloke is the gift that keeps on giving 😳😳
No wonder he’s fucking minted 🙄
He’s tighter than 2 coats of paint
That would all be giving me the massive ick 😵‍💫
Time to have it out

fc123 · 19/10/2024 16:42

AmIbeingUn · 19/10/2024 16:02

Oh my!

516 replies! I only expected to get 10 to 20. It will take me the rest of the day to read them all, which I will because I want the advice and thoughts, but will only reply if there is a direct question.

Many thanks everyone for your time and trouble. x

My question upthread was did he bring 2 Ribenas to the show or just one for himself?
That would say a lot to me about him.

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