My girlfriend and I have a child, she lives with me, but refuses to discuss...

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Jasper19

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...any living expenses? I'm really at a loss for what to do. My girlfriend moved in with me several months ago, said she would help pay for living expenses (nothing officially agreed upon, but talks came out to about 20% of total mortgage + utilities). 4 months later, I have received less than half of what I expected for a month (mind you, this is just ONE month, not 4). The baby has arrived. Everytime I bring it up, she ignores me. I feel like a nag, but it's the only way the topic ever gets brought up. I feel like she resents the fact that, because I was able to handle my bills without her assistance before she moved in, I'm asking her to help. We are both young, middle aged adults that make a good living (I make about 25% more than her). If living expenses were to be proportional, the split should technically be 75/25.

Just the other day, I finally get her to talk, and I come to find out that she is getting ahead on her bills with the extra money so she can afford the month off work she doesn't get paid for. Is it wrong for me to be upset about that? I told her she should be regularly contributing to our living expenses and that I would cover the month she needs help with. I don't think it's fair that she gets ahead, while I'm still in limbo with my bills covering ALL of our living expenses. We've even taken on home projects under the premise that she'd help pay, and I haven't received a penny.

I feel like I'm getting the shaft. She is secretive about her bills. She does have one large bill for her daughter's education, but I don't feel it's fair that I assume the burden of what the daughter's father should be helping her pay for. She receives no assistance for her daughter. I do consider this, but have no idea where the rest of her money goes, nor will she make it my business. This creates a huge amount of distrust and it's to the point now that I want to kick her out of the house (just out of principle), but I'm a well mannered Southern boy, I love my baby and I love her. I suggested that she takes a loan out to cover those expenses as that's what I would do in a situation like that. that's what most people I know would do. Seems common sense.

I'd be devestated if the baby grew up anywhere but my home. I need advice.


So, 1) lets rule whether or not I'm an *** for expecting her to contribute. I've seen another post similar to mine from the woman's perspective and all of the comments ripped the man a new one (of course it was obviously written in spite).

2) What steps should I take to protect myself? The fact that she isn't helping out financially nor wants to discuss it, indicates that her motives may be selfish and possible destructive to our future.

3) How would you go about fixing a situation like this? How do I conquer stubborness if that is what it is? I want nothing more but to make things work, but it feels like she won't make it work. And the killer is usually within minutes/hours of our conversations, it's like everything is perfectly fine and we are one happy family. Where is the sense of urgency with this problem?
Error in my calculation.. expenses, proportional to our incomes, would be roughly 43% her contribution and 57% mine.
 
It really isn't fair is it? you've been handed a double whammy in the finance stakes- you're male so are expected to be a good provider and be able to carry the full financial burden and she sounds like a bit of a leech.

Start cutting back on some of the things she uses so that you can put some money aside, let the bills get overdue and tell her that you are struggling to find the money for them. Don't ever let her borrow money off you unless it is for something that you want as well- if she is earning her own money she can afford to pay for her own wants!
Don't take it out on the kids, it's not their fault that their mother is a leech, and she probably is getting the money from the father but is spending it on her own wants rather than the childs needs.

Also make sure to tell her that you are feeling used, and would like to have a bit more financial openness between the two of you- after all if you know where her money is going it won't be so painful for you!
 
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