A exasperated mum has been warned that her partner is "deceiving" her as she struggles to make ends meet financially.
The worried mum-of-two took to online social forum, Mumsnet, to explain that her partner had moved into her home last year to help out with her two children.
The boyfriend had initially wanted nothing to do with his first-born child, now five, but has since decided to come back into their lives - and they now have a second kid together at five-months-old.
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However, the boyfriend gives the mum a weekly allowance to get the household essentials, as she is not in work due to mental health problems.
The pair both receive benefits but the partner is currently in charge of all the income and is the main source of money given that he works full-time.
The mum has asked for advice, wondering if she was just being "ungrateful" for not being able to make £20-a-week stretch for groceries and other essentials.
Writing on Mumsnet, the anonymous user said: "So my partner moved in with me last year we already have a five year old together (we split for three years and he had nothing to do with us) and now have a 5 months old as well.
"I have mental health issues that make it hard for me to hold down a job so I was previously on old style ESA before he moved in, since his moved in my ESA has stopped
"He works full time and we have managed to claim joint universal credit which we get about £900 including the limited work capabilities payment. This goes straight in his bank account along with his wages which brings us to around £2000 per month."
The mum continued: "I know this sounds ungrateful but he gives me £20 a week for my allowance, this is to cover things like nappies or milk if I'm out and I've run out.
"He normally asks me to get bits from the shop whilst his at work which is not very easy and £20 doesn't stretch very far.
"I don't feel like i can ask him for money and I feel bad for having to ask him for things for myself if we're shopping like deodorant or sanitary products. I feel like the money is all his and I'm just being kept."
She concluded: "Is it just me and the way I'm feeling or am I just being an ungrateful ***?
"I'm just really struggling to come to terms with going from being completely independent to now living with someone and not having any financial independence at all.
"Thank you for your time and sorry for the moaning."
Multiple Mumsnet users have claimed that the partner is financially abusing his girlfriend, and is trying to control all of the income, manipulating her in the process.
One user wrote: "Why are the children's necessities, like nappies and formula coming out of "your" £20 and not "his" £1000+ ?
"This is financial abuse and he's controlling you. You aren't a child receiving pocket money."
Another said: "It's financial abuse, I would say. I would think you need to separate again, this time permanently. He is a controlling piece of ****."
A third wrote: "Oh dear. Why did you let this prince among men back into your life? He is being abusive.
"You should have access to a reasonable sum of money, decided by you both. I think it's time to kick him out again."
More comments read: "You’re being financially abused my darling. It’s horrific that you’re scared to ask for money for cheap essentials like sanitary products.
"Milk and nappies should come out of the main bank account, not your £20 pocket money. What would he say if you suggested a joint bank account?"
Others said: "I’m going to put this very plainly- he is taking your money and you are letting him.
"Get this sorted now - or he’s out. He knows exactly what he’s doing. Stand up for you and your children."
Another added: "He is a terrible dad. He is withholding access to family money from them and their mother.
"If you love him very much you need to look at why you think he’s all you’re worth. He’s a piece of ****."
And finally, one concluded: "I often defend men on here, but there's no saving this one. What an awful man, you're better off without."
What would you do in this situation? Let us know in the comments.
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