She moved in agreeing to pay $500 toward his $2,200 mortgage — then bought an SUV with a $925 payment and said she couldn't afford rent anymore
She kept nagging him about how he's used her rent money to buy himself new things
Moving in together is not just about sharing a home; it also means trusting each other to stick to shared financial commitments. A 37-year-old man who goes by u/Prior_Disaster4268 shared that he and his girlfriend of 4 years butted heads after she went back on her word about shared finances. He had a $2,200 mortgage, and she agreed to pay $500 for rent. When he bought a truck for $250 a month, she got herself a new SUV with a $925 monthly payment. She now refused to pay rent, claiming she could not afford it. The post was shared on July 26, 2026, and received 2,500 upvotes and 804 comments.
I [37M] have had enough of my girlfriends [32f] financial games
by u/Prior_Disaster4368 in relationship_advice
You get something new, I get something new
Before the girlfriend and her son moved in last year, the couple discussed how they were splitting the bills and rent. She agreed to contribute $500 a month for rent, as well as groceries and other necessities. The author would cover utilities. As for phone bills, car payments, and insurance, they agreed to pay separately. According to the Reddit user, the arrangement wasn't meant to help him profit. His girlfriend had previously been paying about $950 in rent elsewhere, so the current arrangement and shared expenses meant both would benefit financially. Things changed last fall. He bought himself a 2020 model truck with low miles, and had to pay $250 a month for four years. Ever since he got the truck, she kept nagging him about how he's used her rent money to buy himself new things. He never even touched her money. "I had used savings from before she even moved in," he wrote.
Not going down that path again
In February, she bought herself a new SUV with a $925 monthly payment. She refused to pay the author the full rent because she could not afford it. All her money went straight to her car payments. She thought it was not fair that he got a new car, and since it was his house, "she shouldn't have to pay towards the mortgage because if we break up, it'll just be money thrown away." Even though he would not suffer if she did not pay, he did not like that she was taking advantage of him. In his update, the Reddit user explained that financial stability had always been deeply important to him. He grew up in poverty, experienced frequent moves, skipped meals as a child, and later spent years digging himself out of debt after maxing out credit cards and taking high-interest loans. Seeing his girlfriend make a financial decision that jeopardized the stability he had worked so hard to build ultimately convinced him the relationship could not continue.
Money as a dealbreaker
Discussing finances can be tricky in a relationship. A 2023 LendingTree survey asked 2,000 respondents about their experience with their partners regarding finance. 62% of couples reported having at least one shared account, while 41% combined their funds completely. But others also reported money being a problem and a dealbreaker in the relationship. 30% of respondents reported breaking up or divorcing their partners due to financial issues. While the author cared for his girlfriend and her son, her decision to buy the new SUV and not pay full rent put him in a tight spot. He wanted to help, but explained, "I don't think she fully comprehends how bad of a decision it was." He was afraid of going back to his old life, and ended things.
No coming back
People advised the author to break up with her, but at the same time told him to give her a few days to figure things out. u/The_Boots_of_Truth wrote, "She doesn't sound very responsible, if she is unable to support her child and keep a roof over his head, because of her poor financial decisions. I would break up with her. She can figure it out during the 30 days' notice or whatever you need to give." u/TKyzr commented, "Get some cameras for around the house in case she decides to damage your property. Also hide anything of value. Then give her 30 days, but expect her to make those days miserable for you."
Girlfriend's parents took them back in
In the update, the Reddit user said the conversation remained civil despite ending in tears. His girlfriend's parents agreed to take her and her son in after about a week, allowing them to avoid homelessness. Although he ended the relationship, he left the door open to reconciliation if she eventually got her finances back on track, and said she even hoped he could remain a positive figure in her son's life.
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