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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

Do I have a cock lodger?

204 replies

lodgeofthec · 29/01/2025 19:34

Name changed for this.

Live with DP and 4 DC (2 each).

Both work full time, me employed. Him self employed. Business is always kind of up and down, sometimes good, sometimes average. Sometimes not so great. This means on occasions I foot the bill for our outgoings which then come back 'later' usually by the end of the month but not always.

Covid times were down to me as he got pretty much £0 income then as what his business relies on was closed. It was rough but it is what it is.

However the past 4 months or so there was talk of starting a new business cause what he does is kind of phasing out. I think it was partly this and partly boredom and wanting to do something new/something he thought would be better long term. There wasn't however any talk about money changing during this time. So for the last 3 months I have basically paid everything. When I've brought it up he simply says it'll come and he can't give me what's not there. Ok but how am I supposed to pay the bills?

We have an agreed expenditure which accounts for our 2 incomes. Paying 50/50 Not just mine!

To add to this he has his own arrangements with his kids mum that he tells me about but I don't really know and suspect he pays the majority plus extras, I'm not saying the exes should be missing out but he's telling me he has nothing so I'm getting nothing so essentially paying for 6 people when he's still paying for them away from our home.

I don't know how long this situation is going to go on for. He keeps telling me it'll be better in 2-3 weeks etc then that times comes and nothing.

On top of this I am working full time myself and doing the bulk of house chores so he can work extra to get this money coming in that never seems to come. He's bad with money and I think if you are self
Employed you should save to cover these times and he hasn't.

When things have been good we have done things, gone out for food. He's bought me things and he's always got bits for the kids through a work thing that's saved me a lot of money, but also I wouldn't buy new/as much if I had to pay so can't really compare like for like.

I'm starting to really resent this arrangement. We also have a pet which I am doing 99% of the work for. He counts watching it in the day his share (sometimes I am there too as I WFH sometimes) so this isn't daily, I walk/feed/sort food/vets etc etc
On top of this he is still married to his ex, divorce is initiated but only because I insisted (wish I hadn't bothered). But I can't see it being finalised as - no money and no motivation to. Only silver lining is because of these things house etc is in my name.

Just wanted some outside opinions on this as I am feeling really taken for granted at the minute and it's causing huge problems.

OP posts:
BellissimoGecko · 29/01/2025 23:24

veraswaistcoat · 29/01/2025 19:40

You have been with this guy then for at least 5 years? He is still married and he doesn't pay his way and often you support him? You know this doesn't make sense for you. Time to get rid of this freeloader.

This x 100

Tesal · 29/01/2025 23:24

This cannot be real. You really need to ask? I’ve said before that it’s really depressing what some women will put up with.

Mrsbloggz · 29/01/2025 23:27

A partnership should be mutually beneficial, this sounds like him benefiting at your expense OP. Plus him not divorcing his wife smells of wanting to keep his options open and/or trying to get you to do the 'pick me dance'.
If you were to separate your life would be easier and his would be harder, that tells you all you need to know surely!

sometimesmovingforwards · 29/01/2025 23:30

rubiconartist · 29/01/2025 22:48

Why the need to be so fucking rude?

It's so toxic.

It was a genuine question.

Jeez what’s with all the swearing and hostility, please do try and calm yourself down a bit.

Turmerictolly · 29/01/2025 23:34

Whatever you do, please don't marry this guy. He doesn't sound remotely financially reliable and would then have a claim on your house. He may not even have a clean financial order when he divorces, particularly if he's doing things on the cheap. Personally, I'm afraid I'd get rid.

ReadingSoManyThreads · 29/01/2025 23:45

sometimesmovingforwards · 29/01/2025 23:30

It was a genuine question.

Jeez what’s with all the swearing and hostility, please do try and calm yourself down a bit.

You're in no place to take the moral high ground here, after you implied the OP was desperate. That was uncalled for.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 29/01/2025 23:45

"In conversation he says he feels down about it. But actions say different. The fact we had no conversation about it, until I raised it. And the fact he hasn't attempted to get money any other how, thinking it's ok to just keep ploughing on regardless."

Hoping to coast along until you confront him and unless you are clear that you won't continue this it will stay the same. And resentment will build. It does sound like you really don't want him now and that the respect is gone. You've seen who he really is.

Mnetcurious · 29/01/2025 23:58

lodgeofthec · 29/01/2025 21:00

I am not seeing it either now that's the problem, and no definitely not desperate is actually rather be on my own than in this current situation. I just feel like I've waited in the hope it will improve, and now i feel like that time of waiting has run out for me.

“actually rather be on my own than in this current situation”

I think that’s the solution. You’re doing all the giving (both financial and in the household work) and he’s doing all the taking. It’s not a partnership and I wouldn’t carry on with the relationship if I was in your position.

Raynexxbow · 30/01/2025 00:09

Sounds like all your issues are with his ex! They are entitled to his money and time too

AcrossthePond55 · 30/01/2025 00:10

@lodgeofthec

What needs to happen is as clear as the nose on your face; he needs to leave. His first priority is the 'household' of his wife. You are indirectly supporting that household by supporting him whilst his money goes there. Do you really think the shit wouldn't have hit the fan with her if he suddenly stopped paying? I'm not saying he shouldn't support his children, but not to your detriment.

Just take a pad and pencil and figure out how much better off you'll be financially with him gone. Then use that same pad to write down all the ways he doesn't add to your life. Read it over a few times and tell him the relationship is no longer working for you and he needs to leave.

And don't buy "I'll start contributing, I really will". You already know he won't.

Better by far to be alone than to be wishing you were.

Windowsand · 30/01/2025 00:12

Hard to believe this is real.
How much money are you spending on this loser that could be in savings accounts for your childrens future?

Unbelievable.
Get him out now.

CarolinaWren · 30/01/2025 00:27

ReadingSoManyThreads · 29/01/2025 23:45

You're in no place to take the moral high ground here, after you implied the OP was desperate. That was uncalled for.

Hug boxing people who ask for opinions doesn't do them any favors. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for someone is to give them a little tough love/reality check even if it's not what they hope to hear.

MrsJHernandez · 30/01/2025 00:31

You are literally doing EVERYTHING! Working FT, all the housework, pet care, paying bills etc etc. What exactly is he contributing to your home or life? Watching the dog in the day doesn't count!

If his business isn't earning enough/any money, he'll have to get off his ass and gain employment!

I'd tell him that. Either get a job or leave.

He can continue building his own business on evenings and weekends until it takes off and its bringing in enough money. If/when it does, and he's had a regular income for a year or so from it, he can go back to that FT.

He's taking the mick!

lodgeofthec · 30/01/2025 01:31

Windowsand · 30/01/2025 00:12

Hard to believe this is real.
How much money are you spending on this loser that could be in savings accounts for your childrens future?

Unbelievable.
Get him out now.

I wish it wasn't real. Realistically not a lot as many costs I will have to continue for a while but alone. He has paid half before but not for the past 3-4 months. But in the longer run when things are paid off, for sure!

OP posts:
lodgeofthec · 30/01/2025 01:33

Raynexxbow · 30/01/2025 00:09

Sounds like all your issues are with his ex! They are entitled to his money and time too

Thing is he doesn't have any money to give. His time I have no issue with his kids having. I like my time with my own. But all of it is at my expense, I'm paying for it. And that's not ok.

OP posts:
lodgeofthec · 30/01/2025 01:35

MrsJHernandez · 30/01/2025 00:31

You are literally doing EVERYTHING! Working FT, all the housework, pet care, paying bills etc etc. What exactly is he contributing to your home or life? Watching the dog in the day doesn't count!

If his business isn't earning enough/any money, he'll have to get off his ass and gain employment!

I'd tell him that. Either get a job or leave.

He can continue building his own business on evenings and weekends until it takes off and its bringing in enough money. If/when it does, and he's had a regular income for a year or so from it, he can go back to that FT.

He's taking the mick!

This really is where I am at. Him not being here in the day for the dog would actually be a pain but I would have to get DC to be around more to do it which is doable. And it's really one of the smaller issues right now.

In conversation he disagrees that I am doing everything, quite how I'm not sure.

OP posts:
username299 · 30/01/2025 01:39

What?

You live with his children but he's paying their mother? What's he paying her? And they're still married?

Please OP don't tell me you look after his children as well?

He's really landed on his feet here. He's got someone taking care of his children, paying all the bills, running the house and I'm going to take a wild guess that you run around after him as well.

The only sensible thing you've done is keep everything in your name. Tell him to go back to his wife.

Dita73 · 30/01/2025 01:44

If you read your first post back to yourself,you’ve answered your own question.Kick his arse out and enjoy your life

lodgeofthec · 30/01/2025 01:45

username299 · 30/01/2025 01:39

What?

You live with his children but he's paying their mother? What's he paying her? And they're still married?

Please OP don't tell me you look after his children as well?

He's really landed on his feet here. He's got someone taking care of his children, paying all the bills, running the house and I'm going to take a wild guess that you run around after him as well.

The only sensible thing you've done is keep everything in your name. Tell him to go back to his wife.

It's 50/50 and he doesn't pay her as such (not that I know of) but more of a she messages, 'the kids need X' and he sends the money, or dinner money, trips, clubs etc.

There has been no kicking off about money not paid, even over Xmas. So I imagine this has continued, while I've had none, but paid the bills for the house we all live in and the food they also eat.

My main issue with all this is the lack of transparency. If we are paying 50-50 household costs I have no care what he does with his other money or what he pays for who. But when I'm paying 100% I have no idea if he's still carrying on elsewhere as though life is normal meaning instead of everyone getting a fair share of what he does have, they are getting usual and I am getting none to compensate. I don't see this ever changing either.

OP posts:
SwordToFlamethrower · 30/01/2025 01:46

He won the jackpot with a mug like your good self!

lodgeofthec · 30/01/2025 01:46

Dita73 · 30/01/2025 01:44

If you read your first post back to yourself,you’ve answered your own question.Kick his arse out and enjoy your life

Yea I know I kind of already knew the answer but just needed some solidarity I wasn't being a bitch whilst times are 'hard' for him

OP posts:
MrsJHernandez · 30/01/2025 01:47

lodgeofthec · 30/01/2025 01:35

This really is where I am at. Him not being here in the day for the dog would actually be a pain but I would have to get DC to be around more to do it which is doable. And it's really one of the smaller issues right now.

In conversation he disagrees that I am doing everything, quite how I'm not sure.

Because if he agrees that he's not pulling his weight, he'll have to change, and he doesn't want to. By attempting to gaslight you into wondering if you're being unreasonable, he gets to carry on as you are.

AnnoyedAsAllHeck · 30/01/2025 01:51

lodgeofthec · 30/01/2025 01:46

Yea I know I kind of already knew the answer but just needed some solidarity I wasn't being a bitch whilst times are 'hard' for him

It seems like he has a lot of "hard times". It's time to let him go and live your best life, which doesn't sound like it should include him.

He wants to "start" a new business? He could have worked a pt job in addition to it. But, he had you, so why should he bother?

username299 · 30/01/2025 01:52

lodgeofthec · 30/01/2025 01:45

It's 50/50 and he doesn't pay her as such (not that I know of) but more of a she messages, 'the kids need X' and he sends the money, or dinner money, trips, clubs etc.

There has been no kicking off about money not paid, even over Xmas. So I imagine this has continued, while I've had none, but paid the bills for the house we all live in and the food they also eat.

My main issue with all this is the lack of transparency. If we are paying 50-50 household costs I have no care what he does with his other money or what he pays for who. But when I'm paying 100% I have no idea if he's still carrying on elsewhere as though life is normal meaning instead of everyone getting a fair share of what he does have, they are getting usual and I am getting none to compensate. I don't see this ever changing either.

You're being treated like a mug and you didn't answer the question of who is taking care off his children when they're with you.

You need to take a step back as you're lost in the minutiae.

He's married
He's not contributing to the household
He does nothing around the house
He doesn't take care of his children
Whatever money he has goes to his wife
You are paying for his children's food and bills

If a friend said I know a great guy, I think you'd hit it off. He's married and a bit of a bum. He'll expect you to take care of him and his children.

Would you agree to the date?

lodgeofthec · 30/01/2025 01:52

@MrsJHernandez I do feel gaslighted and have said as much. He's trying to make me feel bad for bringing it up and what he calls 'kicking him when he's down' which I do get and have tried to avoid. But ultimately bills have to be paid and it's not unreasonable for me to ask questions and feel taken advantage of.

I was sympathetic for a time but this has been going on since Nov and my patience with it has run out.

OP posts:
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