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Stingy BF.. or is it me?!

131 replies

doctorlife · 10/02/2025 19:33

I (27) have been 'official' with my boyfriend (31) for 3 months. Prior to this, we dated for 6 months. I live at home and pay rent. He has his own house (about 30 min drive away). I spent the weekends there (friday - sunday). We don't see each other during the week very often as I have a busy job which I work until 7pm most evenings and he lives 30 mins away and I often need to be in a place nearer me early in the morning (I work in schools).

We have always split everything 50/50. I paid for us to have a night away together a few months ago, we still split the meal we had in the evening / next day, etc. I often buy him random nice things for the house every so often (lovely diffusers, candles, etc). Every time we do a food shop together (for the weekend etc) I pay half. I often pay for us to have coffee together (I always pay for the both of us) as I am mindful I spend a lot of time there.

Recently, I feel he is snappy and possibly resentful of me. Over Xmas, I offered to pay him some money as I essentially lived there for 12 days (I did my own food shop, etc) and he said don't worry just 'buy more food for us'.

On the weekend, I asked what was wrong as it's clear he feels I don't pull my weight (had made a few comments over the weekend). He noted that he feels i am not 'proactive enough' and that he wants me to take more of the lead which includes doing the food shops prior to going to his house, for us. This was the day after I had gone out with a friend, asked him if he wanted anything from M&S and bought everything he wanted, for his dinner (not mine!).

I fear he may be stingy. We have a Valentines meal booked and he has already said 'we'll split that'. He has also insinuated that I buy a chest of drawers for his house. I take everything back home with me after every weekend as he has no storage at all, this is getting a bit draining and difficult and I'm basically living out of my car which is not manageable.

My issue / thoughts here is that I pay rent at home, spend a lot of money on petrol going back and forth (I don't mind!) and often treat us / buy him nice things. He has never once paid for anything for us as a pair, nor ever treated me to anything (even the smallest of things).

AMIBU here? Should I be more 'proactive' or forthcoming? I am doing my best in all honesty and sometimes I perhaps don't take the lead as I feel like a guest in his house and don't want to piss him off (he likes things a certain way, etc).

Thoughts please!!!!!

OP posts:
OpenOliveCat · 11/02/2025 19:54

category12 · 11/02/2025 19:51

What?

If a bloke can't be arsed in the beginning of a relationship, it just sets the bar really low for the rest of it.

This relationship is already dead. They're not compatible. The bar never got of the ground ..

coldcallerbaiter · 11/02/2025 19:55

Some start tight and then get more free with money later. I’ve seen it. Reasons can vary - Bad past experience with gf, genuine budget issues that will ease with age and higher earnings.

May not be that serious about you and in wait and see mode.

UnderTheCover · 12/02/2025 04:41

OP why on earth should you be covering the expenses of him having you in his house? You're his GIRLFRIEND! He WANTS you there. You buy nice things for him to show care and to help him financially. And he ....??? Does nothing except take, it would seem. Please find someone who welcomes you into their lives and treats you with emotional and financial generosity.

Snowmanscarf · 12/02/2025 13:25

coldcallerbaiter · 11/02/2025 19:55

Some start tight and then get more free with money later. I’ve seen it. Reasons can vary - Bad past experience with gf, genuine budget issues that will ease with age and higher earnings.

May not be that serious about you and in wait and see mode.

True. But valentines is one of those days when he could more generous, not tight.

ForFlakyPeer · 13/02/2025 12:54

He's never been your boyfriend.

"I (27) have been 'official' with my boyfriend (31) for 3 months."

Get rid of him and work on yourself. You aren't capable of being in a healthy relationship or romantic dynamic with anyone right now. You don't know how to treat yourself well.

Perhaps therapy would be beneficial for you

JenniferBooth · 15/02/2025 22:14

coldcallerbaiter · 11/02/2025 19:55

Some start tight and then get more free with money later. I’ve seen it. Reasons can vary - Bad past experience with gf, genuine budget issues that will ease with age and higher earnings.

May not be that serious about you and in wait and see mode.

But when a woman has a bad experience with an ex who has cheated on her the new man would be the first to moan if she tarred him with the same brush
Double standards.

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