Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

DH, adhd and spending

28 replies

TwinklyStarrySky · 25/05/2025 12:54

How to people manage when a partner is over spending and says well I have adhd and shrugs!

We both work full time. Mine is split across two roles, one salaried, one self employed. I earn apprx double dh because of the self employed income is virtually another salary. But I'm getting tired and exhausted and want to reduce the self employed income so my work load is more manageable. DH agrees with this in principle but this doesn't seem to translate to reducing spending. I want to to live within our salaried income (possible) and use self employed income to reduce our debt. We could then use it to have fun experiences with. I only started the self employed role because we couldn't pay our credit card off one month.

DH recently spent £450 in one month, on his hobbies, eating lunches out and other things that are generally impulsive buys.

He is responsible for food and cooking and regularly spends over £1k per month, add in the odd take out and this can increase by another £500 (2 adults 2 teens). He says this is impossible to reduce. I've suggested online shopping to reduce impulsivity and top up shops... he says I'm being controlling.

I'm not sure what to do. I've reduced my spending. I suggested we each have £100 month to spend on what we like. Again, agreed in principle and he's steadily spent more every month. I've gone over a couple of times, with unexpected spends like glasses, but then I've spent less the next month.

So any suggestions on how to help him reduce his spending!

I'm kind of worn out by it all! I absolutely can't keep up the level of self employed work to cover his spending and reduce our debt.

OP posts:
goldtaps · 25/05/2025 14:14

Is there a way of splitting finances for a trial period to help him adjust to spending less? Or maybe a credit card with a limit on it?

I think your situation is really hard because you’re the higher earner and essentially funding his impulses.

i sympathise as my husband has ADHD and also has spending issues, and impulse purchases but it’s not too regularly now and he is a much higher earner. To some extent I’ve just learned to accept it, but I think this would be more difficult if I was in your position. It shouldn’t be the answer but could you take over the food shopping for a bit? To prove the excess spending? I know with my husband when he does any food shopping, the cost of it doesn’t factor into his decision making AT ALL, always buys the most expensive option on the shelf.

TwinklyStarrySky · 25/05/2025 14:36

I'd like to take it over and that's why i suggested doing it online as i can then keep an eye on it and we can look against the calender to see when the kids need additional stuff. But he hates it, says I'm taking over (which I am in a way).

Also, food shopping and the cooking are really the only chores he does. I've had to get a cleaner as I couldn't manage. But the day to day stuff is all just left.

Credit card just for his spending could be an option... he currently just uses my credit card for everything as when he had his own he just ran it up and only paid minimum off each month.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 25/05/2025 14:42

I have ADHD, I struggle with compulsive spending. If DH and I had a system (online, agreed spends etc.) I comply. I LOVE firm boundaries because its the only way I can make myself do what I’d like to do but ADHD fights me on it.

Yours doesn’t want to. It’s not the ADHD, it’s him wanting to overspend because you will meet the spending but working harder and harder.

Have your own account. Let him manage his own spending. Or at least tell him that’s the only solution you can come up with in desperation and ask what his solution is.

S0j0urn4r · 25/05/2025 15:13

You must separate your finances if you haven't already.
People with ADHD need strategies to control impulsive behaviour. Your DP seems to be fighting you on this so it won't improve. Having ADHD is not an excuse.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 25/05/2025 15:17

ADHD (is he professionally diagnosed or did he self diagnose?) is not an excuse. He seems to have been living high on the lam whilst you have been economising. I am wondering also if he resents you for earning more than he does.

TwinklyStarrySky · 25/05/2025 15:25

We have our own bank accounts, but he has nothing to do with it. I have access to everything and his gets split between joint account and credit card.

If I split it he'd still have to have to have access to the joint cc for family things, unless i restrict that.. but that feels awful.

He's always been shit with money and I get adhd isn't an excuse but it is one he falls back on which then seems to make it harder for me to put boundaries in place.

I cried at him over the £450, (I'm not someone who cries easily or often) he just shrugged. He apologised later, but it took him a few hours.

OP posts:
RentalWoesNotFun · 25/05/2025 15:27

He’s at it.

He could easily open another current account with NO overdraft for himself, have his wages paid into the other joint household account, and standing order himself an amount per week for personal spending.

He doesn’t want to. He wants to use your money to lead the lifestyle he wants but without him having to work any harder or get a promotion or new job etc.

Sod that.

If he can’t be trusted because he has no impulse control then he needs help. I’d be insisting on online shopping together only. Not giving him free rein. And I’d remind him why and if he wants free rein he needs to get paid more as youre not able to sustain this level of spending alone.

TwinklyStarrySky · 25/05/2025 15:30

Adhd officially diagnosed. We suspected for ages. I did say I would leave if he didn't have it! But that was some years ago now. He can't take the meds. DD has it too so house can be rather intense at times.

I don't think he's resentful re me earning more. He would like me to leave the salaried role and do the self employment more... but I've said no. The salaried role is very important to me. He's always been very respectful of my role and the work it took me to get there.

OP posts:
CoffeeBeansGalore · 25/05/2025 15:44

Is there a card which could have £X amount loaded onto it for him to use? I believe the Post Office used to do one, but not sure if it's still going.
When he's paid, his share of bills/food etc is paid into the joint family/bills account & he has no reason to then access that money. Most of what he has left from his wages can be put on the card for his own personal spends.
If he pays for something joint/child related from his card, he then gets the money reimbursed from the joint account.
If he runs out of money on his card, tough. He has to wait until next payday like everyone else.

TwinklyStarrySky · 25/05/2025 15:51

I'm liking the sound of a card with money on it at pay day for personal spends.. off to google.

I'm not sure how to convince him... he will view this as me being controlling... and I'm really not!

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 25/05/2025 15:52

Oh God I had this with my ex husband. Got us into terrible debt. Would go out to get milk and come back with a car. That sort of thing. I could write a book. There was no telling him and he wouldn’t listen. I have no real advice. We divorced (he had an affair). It’s been a relief to be able to concentrate on my own finances, not have debt and have some savings. I’d be considering separating your finances completely save for joint bills and worrying about yourself rather than supporting him.

HermioneWeasley · 25/05/2025 15:55

My son has ADHD and is tight as a duck’s arse. We have to convince him to treat himself to the odd pizza. Sounds like your husband is a selfish and immature twat.

CoffeeBeansGalore · 25/05/2025 15:57

TwinklyStarrySky · 25/05/2025 15:51

I'm liking the sound of a card with money on it at pay day for personal spends.. off to google.

I'm not sure how to convince him... he will view this as me being controlling... and I'm really not!

Try to word it as he gets to spend on whatever without you seeing every detail of what he buys. So actually it's more freedom & privacy for him.

S0j0urn4r · 25/05/2025 16:28

@TwinklyStarrySky
He can't take the meds.
Why?

stayathomegardener · 25/05/2025 16:29

I am fascinated.

What do you do on the side that pays almost as much as your main income and so quickly?
An online shop so all the family can add to it and then remove and review the night before after a fridge stocktake has been life changing for our neurodivergent family.

Theyreeatingthedogs · 25/05/2025 16:39

add in the odd take out and this can increase by another £500 (2 adults 2 teens).

How much do you eat? 1 takeaway a week which is a regular takeaway not an odd takeaway would be £100 - £125. Really??????

TwinklyStarrySky · 25/05/2025 16:40

@S0j0urn4r he can't take them as his bp is too high. He's on meds that have brought that down. I think he could go back for a review... but he's not overly keen...

@stayathomegardener that will out me to my friends as they're aware of this issue! It's the same role but in the private sector so I was already qualified.

I will need to insist on the online shop and resist his attempts to tell me that I'm controlling and unreasonable. I'm not looking forward to that conversation as he will massively fight against it

OP posts:
Ineedtocheckmylist · 25/05/2025 17:06

My DH has this issue & we've started to do our grocery shopping on line. It makes a huge difference.

HermioneWeasley · 25/05/2025 17:08

@TwinklyStarrySky I’m sure he’s not keen to take the meds as it would take away his excuse to behave however he wants.

Ilikewinter · 25/05/2025 17:19

HermioneWeasley · 25/05/2025 17:08

@TwinklyStarrySky I’m sure he’s not keen to take the meds as it would take away his excuse to behave however he wants.

I agree with @HermioneWeasley ...... @TwinklyStarrySky your DH is forcing you to take control because he's absolved himself of all responsibility.

TwinklyStarrySky · 25/05/2025 18:00

@Ilikewinter I think you might be right.

I've had to focus on work and the kids so not really stopped to look at all. Kids are a bit older now and so less consuming day to day. I think I just had to hold it all together and now I've got a bit of breathing space I'm questioning a few things.

He does pretty much get to do whatever he wants and I've restricted myself to accommodate him and the children. Don't mind doing it for them but I'm getting resentful now.

OP posts:
Daisydiary · 25/05/2025 18:05

I honestly couldn’t live like this. How dare he?! You’re doing the equivalent of two full time jobs and he’s frittering away your earnings?! I’d leave him.

AllPaws4 · 25/05/2025 18:42

Have you ever completed a really detailed budget, including every item that needs to be accounted for? Look at YNAB ( you need a budget) or Money Saving Expert. Once you have reviewed where all the money is currently going you can start to see just how fair or unfair his spending is.
You also mention debt. Is it joint or something he has run up but expecting you to pay off?
It does sound like you’re the little donkey expected to keep plodding along, depriving yourself whilst he lives like a lord on the back of your sweat!
It’s time to cut through his selfish bullshit, fully understand your position and decide how much you’re prepared to continue propping him up.

MoltenLasagne · 25/05/2025 18:59

You are allowed to be controlling of finances if you're working two jobs while he is racking up debt. He has consistently shown he cannot be trusted and he's trying to put the blame back on you rather than considering WHY you've been driven to this.

outerspacepotato · 25/05/2025 19:13

If you don't set checks on his spending, he will spend you into more and more debt and bankruptcy.

You already can't work enough to keep up with his spending. When you try to set boundaries, he calls you controlling and does what he pleases. He's unwilling to control himself.

I think you're financially incompatible. You aren't a team when it comes to finances. I agree with AllPaws4 that you need to sit down and start out with a detailed budget.

Swipe left for the next trending thread