Large wage gap but lower earner owns the home outright - Having issues with what would be fair
I know there are some similar wage gap questions on here, but mine is a little different from what I can see. In a nutshell - I (37F) bought and renovated my home about 13 years ago - My husband (42M) moved in with me 2 years ago - He has always either lived abroad in work place accom, or his mum and dad (100 pound pm contribution) - Now he lives with me - He pays me 550 towards the bills and I pay the rest. They add up to about 1500 here or there. After that there isn't really any rules, I buy shopping and pay the cleaner, he sometimes buys it - Yadda yadda. I wholeheartedly want him to feel he is the joint homeowner (we are married so he is but I want him to really get that it is) - What is cropping up here for me is this - Whilst he is generous in a lot of ways and I appreciate it massively. I am starting to build a bit of resentment. My income is a lot lower than his he also has a lot more time off than me. I feel like I never have any money - This is due in part to me owing him money for a bigger past purchase (thats not the issue of course I dont mind paying him back whatsoever) - I seem to contribute a ton to the house in general. When I worked out the bills I am paying more than him, do the housework and cooking etc, he also wants us to move away for a year so I need to save for that. - I feel like I am ungrateful to even mention this stuff to him seeing as he has lent me money when I have needed it before. I also feel he doesn't properly understand the money he has saved by moving in and marrying me. He doesn't have a yardstick for how expensive it is to just rent, let alone get a mortgage - he never has to experience it now. So I suppose I am asking what is fair to you? How would someone broach the subject. I don't want him to feel like I am throwing the home in his face at all as I do see it as ours. But I just cant keep up - I set up a standing order for the large sum he lent me years ago but now I keep needing to ask him to lend small amounts of money each month as I always run out because of all other expenses. Its this constant cycle and I hate it cos I adore him. I see my own money as his too. I know this should have been discussed before and we did briefly but not enough. Anyway yes, just looking for a general perspective on the situation and what would be fair...And how not to sound ungrateful Thanks everyone. TLDR Wage gap relationship - I am the lower earner but I own the house outright Husband moved in and pays 550 towards bills....I never have money and keep having to lend from him due to it.
Posted Mar 1, 2026, 2:29 PM UTC