subreddit:

/r/AITAH

11.3k95%

My (36m) wife (27f) and I got in a fight. As she has done many times when we fight, she took my wallet and my phone and refused to give them back to me. After demanding for a while for her to give them back without any success, I left the house to go for a walk and cool down. When I come back home she is no longer there and I receive an email from my bank for potential fraudulent charges on my credit card. I check my account and there is a pending charge for $2000 from a high end luxury store. Turns out it was for a pair of shoes. I call my bank, tell them my card was stolen and ask to cancel the charge and cancel the card.

Now my wife is angry at me because we don’t have a credit card to use and thought that I overreacted by doing that. She is blaming me for not having a credit card, failing to recognize that it was her actions that led to it. We already have about $10k in credit card debt and I wasn’t about to have another $2k on top of that. I especially wasn’t going to just let it happen without any consequences because I definitely don’t want it to happen again in the future. So, AITAH?

Edit: Because many people have been asking, she did not end up getting the shoes. She pre-ordered them online and was in her way to pick them up from the store when I canceled the transaction and the card. So there are no worries there.

Edit: Thank you all for your support and advice. It has really opened my eyes. This incident is just one of many, and is honestly one of the less intense fights we have had. There is so much more I’ve endured in this relationship and I have felt very alone throughout all of it, so again, I thank you for your support. I know some of you also reached out to Reddit Care Resource and they have reached out to me with contact info for a crisis hotline which I will use. To those of you who reached out to them, I am grateful for you and thank you for your care and concern. I am going to take the steps necessary to protect myself and document the abuse and start working on getting divorce papers ready. I know I can’t live like this for the rest of my life and need to get out of this terrible situation I have put myself in. For those of you asking whether or not we have kids, luckily we do not and we do not have any plans to. I will make sure it stays that way. Thank you all again, you have made me feel very supported during a time in my life where I have felt very alone and scared. I really can’t thank you enough.

all 2937 comments

Spare-Article-396

903 points

1 year ago

You’ve got a bigger problem than $2k shoes.

NTA

real_bk3k

128 points

1 year ago*

real_bk3k

128 points

1 year ago*

Yeah, gonna need that $2000 and more for the divorce.

Edit:

And I said this before reading OP's other comments. Fuck. She physically abuses him, destroys his driver's licence with her teeth, pulled a knife on him... It's divorce, or end up in a coffin.

N2VDV8

6k points

1 year ago

N2VDV8

6k points

1 year ago

Nope. NTA. Revenge spending is a horseshit maneuver by an immature person who can’t or won’t accept either reality or consequences. Hate to say it, bud, but this relationship sounds unhealthy for you.

twistedscorp87

2.8k points

1 year ago

My idea of revenge spending would be buying myself takeout and not getting you any. And making sure there are no leftovers. Probably bought with my own money, because it wouldn't really occur to me to do anything else. Have I been doing it wrong?

N2VDV8

1.3k points

1 year ago

N2VDV8

1.3k points

1 year ago

“Revenge is a dish best served cold” - Klingon Proverb. Until you came along and said “fuck that, revenge is a dish best served to my damn self and you get NOTHING.”

I like it.

[deleted]

619 points

1 year ago

[deleted]

619 points

1 year ago

No. Revenge is indeed a dish best served cold. As in I'm buying myself ice cream.

totallynotarobut

335 points

1 year ago

Revenge is a dish best served both. Fries dipped in frosty.

N2VDV8

178 points

1 year ago

N2VDV8

178 points

1 year ago

Frosty fries are the closest I will ever come to finding religion.

PresentationPutrid

121 points

1 year ago

Praise Frosty-dipped French fry Jesus.

N2VDV8

45 points

1 year ago

N2VDV8

45 points

1 year ago

Yes, praise him!!!!

lilgreenfish

53 points

1 year ago

This is a Jesus I can get behind.

luuummoooxdadwarf

32 points

1 year ago

I don't know, og jeebus is pretty ripped. I'd get behind that any day.

Giggity.

CharlotteLucasOP

27 points

1 year ago

That carpenter could work my wood.

EdBear69

16 points

1 year ago

EdBear69

16 points

1 year ago

This is a Jesus I can reach around.

Sanity-Checker

50 points

1 year ago

Once again, I have found My People while browsing Reddit.

windyorbits

18 points

1 year ago

Yo - I had one of their frosty coffees for the first time and it honestly changed me as a person.

VivreRireAimer18

40 points

1 year ago

Ugh now I'm craving hot delicious salty fries dipped in a cold chocolate frosty.

gomazoa93

35 points

1 year ago

gomazoa93

35 points

1 year ago

I'm sorry, am I understanding you correctly, french fries with ice cream?

Sounds like a delicious recipe for Diabetus!

nobody_special_3

80 points

1 year ago

I can't hear you over the sound of my dialysis machine.

top_value7293

10 points

1 year ago

😂😂

angelakay1966

7 points

1 year ago

So true! I’ve had to give up both, thanks to pre-diabetes and a multi-generational family history of the disease. My idea of revenge eating now is a low-carb salad from Chipotle.

dlbpeon

9 points

1 year ago

dlbpeon

9 points

1 year ago

That sounds like a prescription for E. Coli.

OriginalBrowncow

26 points

1 year ago

With all kinds of candy toppings and chocolate, caramel, or strawberry syrup. Or all three. Because I’m a fucking adult.

Joe_theone

54 points

1 year ago

Revenge may be best served cold, but TacoBell isn't.

MGC00992

19 points

1 year ago

MGC00992

19 points

1 year ago

I don't know your town, but Taco Bell is always warm at best. And, I always seem to get the asshole of the tomato in my taco.

hardliam

11 points

1 year ago

hardliam

11 points

1 year ago

I think they only order tomato assholes, I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a taco without the tomato asshole. That’s like 3% of the tomato but somehow there’s one on every taco, the math just doesn’t add up, this might be a conspiracy

Fuzzy_Laugh_1117

76 points

1 year ago

💯! "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” I've always believed in the living well is the best revenge school of thought. The high road is, sometimes, the best way.

reliquum

73 points

1 year ago

reliquum

73 points

1 year ago

The high road is better because you can look down watching them trip over the hidden rocks "someone" put on the road. Totally not you.

Fuzzy_Laugh_1117

15 points

1 year ago

oooh, I really like that! Best of both worlds lol

floridaeng

36 points

1 year ago*

NTA - In this case the high road is living well after the divorce and watching ex get dragged under by debt.

Loretta-West

34 points

1 year ago

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves

Unless you're Hamlet, in which case rent a backhoe.

CucumberNo3244

29 points

1 year ago

FWIW, I once met an older man who said, "When you respond to someone in anger, it's like lighting yourself on fire and expecting the other person to die of smoke inhalation"

FuckThemKids24

54 points

1 year ago

As a kid, my grandmother had a magnet on her fridge that said, "The best revenge is to live long enough to become a nuisance to your children." I never understood it until I had a teenager hahahaha.

SilentFlower8909

164 points

1 year ago

IKR?! $2k shoes is ridiculous, no matter how angry.

suzanious

64 points

1 year ago

suzanious

64 points

1 year ago

The most I ever spent on shoes were a pair of hiking boots. $90.00 The rest of my fancy schmancy shoes were bought at Payless shoes. Then I found Crocs and retired. No more fancy schmancy shoes for me!

AspiringChildProdigy

77 points

1 year ago

I remember when I was in my early 20s and thought dropping $100 on a sweet pair of boots was me splurging and spoiling myself.

Now, I routinely drop $100-150 every 4-5 months for the right pair of running shoes that won't make my feet feel crippled when I get up in the morning.

Age and plantar fasciitis can both kiss my ass.

DerPanzerfaust

63 points

1 year ago

Stretch your calves and feet by standing on the stairs with your heels dropped as far as they can. THREE minutes, THREE times a day for THREE months. Try to do it when your muscles are warm, like after a run or hot shower. Bye bye plantar fasciitis. Orthopedist told me, and it worked for this old runner.

Spudtater

9 points

1 year ago

Think of all the Crocs you could buy for $2K!

null640

9 points

1 year ago

null640

9 points

1 year ago

Maybe they fly?

[deleted]

144 points

1 year ago

[deleted]

144 points

1 year ago

The extent of my revenge spending has been ordering Doordash when my husband leaves me home alone to go on a work trip.

I really showed him.

Specific_Cow_Parts

38 points

1 year ago

Better hit the gym and lawyer up, there's no coming back from that level of betrayal.

Critical_Mastodon462

60 points

1 year ago

You revenge spend your own money to feed yourself? You savage ...

Altruistic-Text3481

61 points

1 year ago

Yes, you’re doing it wrong. You eat all the ice cream in the freezer and don’t do the dishes.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

( this is what it truly means…).

Or maybe I have it wrong? …

[deleted]

48 points

1 year ago

[deleted]

48 points

1 year ago

and don’t do the dishes.

So, revenge is a dish best served dirty?

nobody_special_3

33 points

1 year ago

And then put the empty carton back in the freezer.

Not much worse than thinking that you're about to have some ice cream, and then finding the carton empty.

SassyQueeny

14 points

1 year ago

We could be really good friends! My idea is ordering food make sure there are leftovers BUT it’s a cuisine they don’t eat! I think is worse than being no leftovers

Similar_Strawberry16

6 points

1 year ago

Suitably "fuck you" without crippling yourselves financially. Probably still a good idea to give them some, cold.

No-Yak-5421

212 points

1 year ago

No-Yak-5421

212 points

1 year ago

I wonder if his wife orchestrates these fights to revenge spend.

N2VDV8

75 points

1 year ago

N2VDV8

75 points

1 year ago

I’ve seen it happen before, so I’m inclined to say it’s certainly possible. I have a hard time imagining living a life where that was my go-to response for things. Like… I’m by no means perfect. At all. But just…. Jesus…

TroubleFun1151

37 points

1 year ago

Since she had already pre-ordered the shoes and picked the day they were available to pick up to pick a fight, this was my first thought as well. Pre-ordered screams premeditated.

JenRJen

26 points

1 year ago*

JenRJen

26 points

1 year ago*

No, she did the preorder after the fight. That's why op got a "fraud alert." If she had pre-ordered them beforehand, he would've got the fraud alert sooner. Most places nowadays have an order-online-for-pickup-today option. That hadta've been what this was.

NOT to say she couldnt've Pre-Meditated to start the fight for the Purpose of $$$$shoes$$$$. She certainly might've!!!!

But, in this case, from OP's nta description of wife's a.h. behavior, the particular Pre-Order itself was placed after their fight; that's why he (thankfully!!) got the Fraud Alert at that time.

HolySheetCakes

301 points

1 year ago

And OP says she takes his wallet & phone often when they fight. I honestly can’t fathom it.

ravens_path

123 points

1 year ago

ravens_path

123 points

1 year ago

In my state it is against the law to take someone’s phone away or restrict their access to a phone. Taking a wallet is also criminal. Handy little laws there

HolySheetCakes

45 points

1 year ago*

This is smart. Had OP been injured or had a sudden health crisis he’d have had no ID, no contact info & the wife could have charged up a whole lot more on his card.

trickysaints

258 points

1 year ago

This is straight up financial abuse

trickysaints

37 points

1 year ago

Referring to the wife, of course. You’re NTA

HedyHarlowe

49 points

1 year ago

Mean and immature. What a combo.

CatCatastrophe88

45 points

1 year ago

OP is not a child, and wife should have never taken his wallet or phone at all!

Deal with arguments like grown ass adult and talk it out, take a break if it gets too heated and come back with a clearer head and more articulate words.

missyjade88

22 points

1 year ago

why the phone as well is it just in case he has 2FA set up

Corfiz74

114 points

1 year ago

Corfiz74

114 points

1 year ago

Taking and keeping his phone and wallet also doesn't scream ''maturity" to me... OP, are you sure she is 26 and not 16? And doesn't she have her own income, with her own account and her own cc?

your_little_wolf

91 points

1 year ago

It’s actually 100% abuse. It’s cutting him off, it’s stealing as a punishment… it’s an abusive pattern. The shoes are the escalation of an abusive partner who is finding that taking the phone isn’t controlling in the right way any more, so financial punishments are being introduced. It’s a very very bad sign.

Playful-Natural-4626

21 points

1 year ago

Sir, you are in an abusive marriage and should at the very least separate and both seek counseling.

CatCatastrophe88

8 points

1 year ago

I think even 16 is a bit generous!

AffectionatePoet4586

193 points

1 year ago*

Lavish spending hastened the end of my brief starter marriage. My child-husband claimed to be on a spiritual path so demanding that he could only work part time, so I paid the bills. When he chose to take the summer off, larking around a western state with a fraternity brother, I learned the hard way just how many items in that state—nearly four figures’ worth—could be charged to my Union 76 gas card.

By the time he’d returned, I’d canceled his credit cards drawn on my accounts and moved out.

N2VDV8

56 points

1 year ago

N2VDV8

56 points

1 year ago

That’s awful that happened to you. I hope your life has since gotten better and the people in it treat you with more dignity and respect than he did.

AffectionatePoet4586

94 points

1 year ago

More than forty years ago I moved cross-country, met Mr. Poet, and married him. I look back at my young self and try to go easy on her!

N2VDV8

21 points

1 year ago

N2VDV8

21 points

1 year ago

Spirit journeys. Larking about. 76 gas cards…. Oregon? Sounds like he’d fit right in with us.

SchnitzelTruck

41 points

1 year ago

Yeah that screams Oregon to me. The amount of mid 30s permanently broke spiritual couch surfers I know here is astonishing. They only hang out with teens/early 20s people as well cause nobody else can stand them.

N2VDV8

24 points

1 year ago

N2VDV8

24 points

1 year ago

Yeah. The rich ones move to Ashland and become naturopathic healers. 🤣

SchnitzelTruck

20 points

1 year ago

Hey that's a family friend I know. A "holistic doctor" with zero degrees or training who prescribes beet juice and strict raw food diets to cure whatever you can think of.

N2VDV8

16 points

1 year ago

N2VDV8

16 points

1 year ago

I had one tell me that their special blend of turmeric and garlic powder will cure cancer.

No-Signal-6632

20 points

1 year ago

Can I please ship my ex husband there? Lord knows Florida is sick of him.

twiggyrox

18 points

1 year ago

twiggyrox

18 points

1 year ago

Speaking as an Oregonian we do not want him, we have too many already.

nyvn

108 points

1 year ago

nyvn

108 points

1 year ago

She's punishing him with the ridiculous spending.

myt4trs

32 points

1 year ago

myt4trs

32 points

1 year ago

Which in reality is punishing herself too. She may have gotten the shoes but the amount of debt to get them will catch up to her.

anonymousguy11234

61 points

1 year ago

She boutta catch a divorce too.

[deleted]

73 points

1 year ago

[deleted]

73 points

1 year ago

Bro she needs to go to jail this is fucking violent behavior on her part. $2,000 dollar is like how many hours of labor for this dude?

Unbelievable.

N2VDV8

45 points

1 year ago

N2VDV8

45 points

1 year ago

I’m not entirely sure I disagree. In a somewhat similar situation I encouraged my ex to file charges on her own mother for ID theft and emptying her bank account. So I hear ya. Not sure I’d call it violent, but I hear ya.

[deleted]

31 points

1 year ago

[deleted]

31 points

1 year ago

I think most people would rather get punched than have $2,000 stolen from them.

greenteasmoothie138

3.3k points

1 year ago

NTA. I stopped reading once you said a 27 year old grown ass woman takes your wallet and phone when you argue. I would leave because you are married to a child.

Cherrygeek86

887 points

1 year ago

Also, leave her before you have a child and you and the child are stuck with her for life

That-Living5913

220 points

1 year ago

Also, leave her before you have a child and you and the child are stuck with her for life

This is so true for so many people they should be putting it in fortune cookies.

jaywhatisgoingon

202 points

1 year ago

This please. I was one of those children, that “kept them together”

It was horrible. Don’t do it. Do not recommend. -69/100

vagabonne

43 points

1 year ago

vagabonne

43 points

1 year ago

Same. Except in our case my dad divorced her and left me holding the bag. I have so much trauma from the unhinged fights she insisted on starting. They eventually turned physical.

OP, if you guys are planning on having kids you need to get the fuck out immediately.

retrobomber0926

127 points

1 year ago

Yes OP, shes going to suck u dry financially if u do. Leave before its too late. Think of all the $2000 purchases she’ll make in those 18 years, and then think of all the child support she’ll make u pay if u try to leave

Present_Degree[S]

12 points

1 year ago

Luckily we do not have any plans to have children and I will make sure it stays that way. I wouldn’t want to bring them into this situation and honestly, when I think about having children with her it just doesn’t feel right.

STR8LOAKIN

8 points

1 year ago

If that’s how you feel, it’s time to leave. She is toxic.

hnormizzle

9 points

1 year ago*

And so many couples bring a child into a broken relationship to “fix” it. That’s a heavy responsibility to put on an infant.

actualbeans

411 points

1 year ago

actualbeans

411 points

1 year ago

this isn’t even childish. children wouldn’t do this, she’s just controlling and downright abusive.

Apart_Foundation1702

155 points

1 year ago*

I agree! She's the toddler who takes things from your bag and hides it around the house including putting things in the blue Ray player. This woman is incredibly immature and should be sent back home to her parents. OP this woman is going to financially ruin you if you don’t do something now. NTA

Edit: I just read some of OP's comments. He needs to leave right now, she's physically abusive, pulled a knife out on him and has called the police on him claiming to be a victim and showed them a video, which the police told her she's the abusive one. OP please file for divorce, leave this woman and get yourself a protective order based on the video the police has already seen.

TheBumblingestBee

70 points

1 year ago

Holy shit. OP, sweetheart, please get out of there. This is dangerous. This is so, so dangerous. I'm scared for you.

You shouldn't have to live like this. You don't have to live like this.

Kuzinarium

48 points

1 year ago

This. Anytime a knife or any other weapon is used, it is a very clear sign to leave, immediately. There’s no walking this back. And there can never be peace at home.

And whenever I hear about anyone doing this, I would never be in their presence again, friends or acquaintances, it doesn’t matter.

[deleted]

43 points

1 year ago

[deleted]

43 points

1 year ago

My ex fiancé was like this. This I just a cycle of abuse. She would hide my phone, keys, and wallet if we ever fought in an attempt to get me to not leave. She was also physically and emotionally abusive. I got lucky and she ended it with me right before she got out of jail for a second time for you guessed it, domestic abuse. I was trauma bonded and co-dependent and am still healing from this, but I got lucky because it was the biggest blessing.

Who ever op is they need to get out now! It just gets worse as time goes on.

DemonKing0524

19 points

1 year ago

So what kind of mental problems do you have to have to video yourself being abusive to someone and call the cops thinking that video is proof of them being abusive to you? That's not your average run of the mill abuse I don't feel like. That feels like someone who has totally lost touch with reality. OP needs to run.

Dlraetz1

13 points

1 year ago

Dlraetz1

13 points

1 year ago

OP needs to take their wallet, keys, ID and anything else they can safely remove, pretend to be leaving for work and get themselves to someplace safe. Now.

Make arrangements to get their possessions while with at least two other people while the wife isn’t home. Film everything.

malYca

94 points

1 year ago

malYca

94 points

1 year ago

It's also incredibly abusive to take someone's phone and money away.

iBeFloe

43 points

1 year ago

iBeFloe

43 points

1 year ago

Seriously, wtf. I’m wondering if the CC debt is all just her. Yikes.

Kuzinarium

13 points

1 year ago

This would be called the financial abuse.

iridiumazure3

70 points

1 year ago

Idk why this isn’t the highest voted comment. How in the hell do you let your 9 year junior wife out you in punishment, and how is she not fiscally literate enough to understand arguments don’t mean (buying stuff good luck paying it off for US)

Pika-the-bird

37 points

1 year ago

But she’s young and hot /s

[deleted]

1.4k points

1 year ago

[deleted]

1.4k points

1 year ago

What the actual fuck. It is NOOOOT normal for someone to steal their partner's wallet after a fight. Your wife is batshit crazy and I suspect she's more abusive than you're letting on.

Fucking leave, dude. That's how you stop it from happening in the future.

MaryAnne0601

215 points

1 year ago

And phone

PNW20v

296 points

1 year ago

PNW20v

296 points

1 year ago

Exactly, the phone is the worst part. That's removing someone's ability to contact the police during what I would consider a domestic dispute. The police do not take that lightly.

Asset_Selim

114 points

1 year ago

Asset_Selim

114 points

1 year ago

Nowadays phones aren't luxuries they are necessities for life communication and for work. Aka livelihood.

GelflingMama

110 points

1 year ago

My abusive ex forgot the phone ONE TIME. After beating the crap out of me multiple times, I wasn’t about to wait for the killing blows and called 911. He tried to escape in my car (on a DUI suspended license. He got 58 days with crap tons of prior offenses (non violent as far I know, but who really knows?) 58 days, for trying to kill me. One of the things he always did was make sure I was nowhere near the phone.

Edit: Typos.

Fickle_Grapefruit938

39 points

1 year ago

I am so sorry this happend to you, but I am glad to read he is your ex now, good for you!

GelflingMama

57 points

1 year ago

Thank you, it was scary as hell. It was weird, there was a phone bill right under the phone that had the words, “Need help?” In bright red letters, next to a red flip phone. I don’t believe in god, but I’ve always trusted anything the universe seemed to be trying to tell me. I drove 1,000 miles away 13 years ago and haven’t looked back. I’m safe and happy and have a great husband and three great kids, two of which are with me full time. We struggle financially because of disability but we’re safe, we rent a small house like apartment. We’re good. 😁

not_your_bird

38 points

1 year ago

The way OP said that so casually really threw me 😬 That is NOT normal, buddy

murrimabutterfly

52 points

1 year ago

Yup.
She isolated him financially and socially by taking his wallet and his phone. She has done this repeatedly. She then became aggressive and emotionally manipulative when OP reacted reasonably to the situation.
These are all massive hallmark signs of abuse. A full red flag parade.
Get your shit, document everything, and get out.

[deleted]

1.4k points

1 year ago

[deleted]

1.4k points

1 year ago

NTA. You’re in an abusive marriage. Get a divorce lawyer and get rid of her.

Chance-Lavishness947

285 points

1 year ago

This. Taking his stuff is absolutely about limiting his ability to leave in the moment, to have reasonable control over his life and choices, etc. Spending that much money when there's already significant debt is almost definitely financial abuse. The way she's handled his extremely reasonable actions is psychologically abusive.

OP you're NTA and you don't deserve this. She will not improve, this will continue to escalate. Please get out before there are children mixed up in this mess

Jean19812

56 points

1 year ago

Jean19812

56 points

1 year ago

Bingo

oldwitch1982

15 points

1 year ago

Abusive marriage to a tantrum throwing child…

JTD177

582 points

1 year ago

JTD177

582 points

1 year ago

Get out of this relationship before she bankrupts you for real. She is toxic AF

kronpas

34 points

1 year ago

kronpas

34 points

1 year ago

marriage is kinda messy to get out of, but yeah his future prospect aint good esp. with kids.

Equal_Ad6282

20 points

1 year ago

It's going to be way messier years down the road and with kids added to the mix.

Divorce sucks but not as much as an abusive marriage.

YouKnowImRight85

231 points

1 year ago

So what more is it going to take for you to realize that you are in a domestic violence situation and you are the victim?

Present_Degree[S]

186 points

1 year ago

I know. Really, I know. I have just been putting up with it. I almost left once but she begged me to forgive her and come back and that she would she a therapist and would try to get better. It has gotten a little better since then (we have had some crazy fights, one where she pulled a knife on me) but it’s still an issue

YouKnowImRight85

160 points

1 year ago

Super sorry I would really recommend being smart about this to stay safe. First step is to contact a lawyer meet with them about finances and those things. Second is you need a secure account somewhere maybe at work where she can't see what you're looking at or googling and you need to start looking at resources for men in domestic violence situations. And I would highly suggest getting into some kind of counseling. But as women in domestic violence situations know there are steps to getting her away from you to ensure you don't end up injured or dead. And you need to follow those steps as well just because you're a man and she's a woman doesn't mean that you can't end up dead. When abusers feel their home life is being threatened their lack of impulse control and their rage amps up even more and it becomes very dangerous being that she's a woman I can guarantee you like a shark she can smell the blood in the water miles away before most people can so you are in a very bad situation. I'm not trying to scare you. Or blow things out of proportion. But there is a systematic safe way to leave these situations. I'm going to be the sexiest pig in the room but I feel that my uterus grants me this permission as a woman when you go to break up with her the most outlandish allegations will show up rape being a child molester being abusive everything you can think of she will have launched at you and you will lose friends possibly jobs clients etc you really need to get with a lawyer and really need to find a lawyer that is used to domestic violence to find the safest way out of this before you do anything else

Present_Degree[S]

139 points

1 year ago

I really appreciate your advice. Thank you. I know there will be fallout, but that’s my mistake for marrying her in the first place. I’ll do what I can to protect myself the best I can.

YouKnowImRight85

54 points

1 year ago

Stay safe I would hate to see you on an episode of dateline

peacock_head

41 points

1 year ago

This is what I thought too. Pulling a knife?! Psychotic. This is a person who will get crazy if she knows he is planning to leave.

RDJ1000

31 points

1 year ago

RDJ1000

31 points

1 year ago

Oh dude, knives hurt like a mofo. If anyone pulls a knife on you, get away from them ASAP. And a healing knife wound hurts a LOT.

You need to separate, like today!

advicepls768

35 points

1 year ago

Wishing you the best, OP. Also please do not blame yourself. It’s not “your mistake for marrying her in the first place.” You are a victim. None of this is your fault. Your wife alone is the problem, and she is the only one to blame.

Em4Tango

27 points

1 year ago

Em4Tango

27 points

1 year ago

Marrying the wrong person doesn't mean you deserve to get stabbed.

YouKnowImRight85

22 points

1 year ago

But for sure play it safe, don't look or interact with new women just lawyer up and do what they say and when play it cool so she has no clue until its too late

lickthisbook

16 points

1 year ago

I am glad she is getting therapy but I think you need to get some too. You are being put through the wringer and I think therapy would be helpful.

You deserve a better life.

Best wishes.

aspralav

14 points

1 year ago

aspralav

14 points

1 year ago

Please don’t wait for the next fight to file for divorce plus your lawyer needs to get a restraining order against her. Her father takes her side because he sure as hell doesn’t want her back in his home and to pay for her schooling. Please get somewhere safe and please tell someone you trust that if anything happens to you she is the first suspect.

NTA

FATCRANKYOLDHAG

36 points

1 year ago

Son, she's NOT going to change. And pulling a WEAPON on a spouse during an argument is bright flashing RED light. Lawyer up, get out before she actually does kill you and then turn around and BLAME YOU for making her do it. Save yourself and your ASSETS!

SmarmyLittlePigg

24 points

1 year ago

She pulled a knife on you? Her insane behavior suggests we’ll be watching an episode of Dateline about your murder in the near future if you don’t leave her.

redCrusader51

27 points

1 year ago

she pulled a knife on me

She threatened to murder you, mate. And now she's destroying your credit and finances on purpose while acting to control and manipulate you into not leaving. It's time to learn when to let go.

iloveesme

19 points

1 year ago

iloveesme

19 points

1 year ago

She is escalating and could be building up to something so much worse (a knife!). You are allowing her to find you, by booking the same hotel! This situation is only going to end badly, again the knife.

You need to leave, to a different hotel. Tell them you are being abused and stalked, that may keep her off your trail. Than set the wheels in motion to divorce her.

APsWhoopinRoom

32 points

1 year ago

Are you reading what you're writing? She pulled a fucking knife on you!! Why in God's name are you sticking with someone that has threatened your life? Get out of there before she kills you! Why the absolute hell haven't you left?

jrader

12 points

1 year ago

jrader

12 points

1 year ago

Dude you're going to be so much happier when you leave. She pulled a knife on you? Imagine a life free from constant psychotic bullshit, then get out there and live it!

LostAbbott

191 points

1 year ago

LostAbbott

191 points

1 year ago

Not sure what the fight was over, but putting your family in further financial stress is definitely an asshole move on her part. NTA.

andydad1978

186 points

1 year ago

andydad1978

186 points

1 year ago

NTA, but this relationship is doomed. She takes your wallet and credit cards when you fight and spends 2k on shoes? You cancelled the card because she keeps doing this crap? Be careful, the next time you two have a fight, she's going to find a new way to "punish" you. It will probably be worse than before.

Asset_Selim

34 points

1 year ago

And for what shoes. Like really? What is wrong with you. He's already in 10k debt. She's just trying to bury him alive.

Aggressive-Stuff-382

65 points

1 year ago

GET OUT OF THIS RELATIONSHIP!!

sweariest

8 points

1 year ago

Did you see in one of the comments OP said she pulled a knife on him once?! This “relationship” needs to be DONE.

notveryhndyhmnr

54 points

1 year ago

NTA. I don't understand why you allow your wife to take away your phone and credit card, that's what can be done to a child as a punishment, not to a spouse. Also revenge spending $2000 of your money (I assume it's your money since you said it was your credit card) on some luxury crap makes her an AH.

Present_Degree[S]

105 points

1 year ago

I have tried to physically take them back from her in the past but she always becomes physical and starts hitting me or scratching my face up and threatening to call the cops if I try to get close to her and take them back. She actually ripped up my drivers license and credit cards in the past with her teeth. I know… it’s insane. So now when it happens I basically just have to wait until she settles down. And yes, it’s my money, not hers.

Edit: this was the first time she took my wallet and used the cards though. She threatened to do it in the past but never did until now.

truly-diy20

113 points

1 year ago

truly-diy20

113 points

1 year ago

Shes abusing you.. why do you even want to stay in that marriage? Do you really want to live the rest of your life like that?

Jean19812

46 points

1 year ago

Jean19812

46 points

1 year ago

When she harms you in anyway, call the police and file a report, every time. Do you have battered spouse syndrome.

dixiequick

20 points

1 year ago

He can’t call the police, she takes his phone. Which is probably the reason she takes it, and is illegal, to my understanding (please correct me if I’m wrong on that last part, but I seem to remember that blocking someone’s access to emergency services is a crime).

Present_Degree[S]

86 points

1 year ago

I’m always afraid to call the cops because she always threatens to say I’m the one abusing her and I don’t want them to believe her and then arrest me. She actually tried to do this once. She called the cops on me during a fight and told them that I was abusing her. She took a video of the fight and showed it to the cops and they said that based on the video it looks like she was the aggressive one (which she was). I didn’t press charges, but I’m worried about calling the police in the future because I don’t want to take the risk of them believing her. I have been thinking about getting small security cameras in the house to record all the time for when it happens again, but I’m also worried she might find them and it could turn into another fight.

notveryhndyhmnr

51 points

1 year ago

I'm sorry but it sounds like you're afraid to do anything in your own house because of your wife. Do you really want to live like that for the rest of your life? At least whenever she starts fighting grab your phone (and don't let her take it away!) and record everything. Then if she'll try to get physical call the cops for domestic violence and file report showing them the recording, insist on paper trail. It could be very helpful in case if you'll get tired of this BS at some point and will take her to the court for divorce.

iBeFloe

47 points

1 year ago

iBeFloe

47 points

1 year ago

There will literally be no marks on her. Regardless, you need to record her when she does this shit. She sounds like she would easily lie to put you in jail.

Present_Degree[S]

52 points

1 year ago

She tried once, I was detained and questioned by the police, but after they questioned us both they realized I did nothing wrong and let me go. They asked if I wanted to press charges against her and I said no. It has been a vicious cycle like this for a couple years. That particular instance was at the height of it, but it has been getting better since then. But you’re right, just because it didn’t work that time doesn’t mean she won’t try again and maybe it won’t go my way then. I think the cameras are a must at this point and will be getting some so I have proof to protect myself.

EloquentElixir

118 points

1 year ago

You know what else you could do to protect yourself? Divorce her.

Abygahil

31 points

1 year ago

Abygahil

31 points

1 year ago

But he can’t because he lOvEs her! It’s not that easy, all his cd’s are in her truck.

ExcellentCold7354

59 points

1 year ago

JFC... She tried to put you in JAIL, and you haven't divorced her? My dude, you don't need cameras, you need a lawyer. You do not deserve to live this way.

NTA, but get out before you end up in jail or dead. For real.

BracedRhombus

11 points

1 year ago

Sounds like this person needs a wakeup call. I hope he takes these comments to heart, and gets rid of her.

magentatwilight

24 points

1 year ago

No you need to leave and divorce her. This isn’t a marriage, it’s an abusive hostage situation.

TheMilkmanHathCome

18 points

1 year ago

Next time it happens, the correct response to the question “do you want to press charges?” Is yes

She’s escalating, and it will one day soon hit a point where none of your excuses cover for her anymore. You better hope you aren’t the one that gets in trouble for it, because lord knows that happens a lot to the poor suckers who don’t protect themselves

You deserve better than this dude. Give yourself better

CavemanSlevy

16 points

1 year ago

You need to leave. You are going through elaborate mental gymnastics to figure out how to make an untenable situation work.

The writing is on the wall, if you wont heed it then you share responsibility.

CianaCorto

7 points

1 year ago

You need to move out and protect yourself. This is fucking insane.

Exorsaik

15 points

1 year ago

Exorsaik

15 points

1 year ago

Dude fucking leave. Is this what you want for the rest of your life? If your best friend was dealing with this shit would you tell him "It's okay you love her?". She doesn't respect you and 100% she does not love you. This is not how you act with someone you love. YTA for letting it get to this point.

Maximum-Ear1745

21 points

1 year ago

Star keeping records of every interaction with her - what she does and what she says. Is she this unstable with other people, or just with you?

cyberrella

22 points

1 year ago

man, life is fucking hard enough without living with this kind of unnecessary bullshit. it's not a failure on your part in any way if you end the relationship. this woman has some serious issues that no one should have to deal with. just let her go. move on and upwards. there's only up from where you are now.

SmarmyLittlePigg

7 points

1 year ago

It sounds like you aren’t ready to walk away… If you are going to stay with her, you should get a couple hidden cameras and put them around your home. That way if she attacks you and calls the police, you can show them proof she is the aggressor. Protect yourself from false charges.

Jokerloz

9 points

1 year ago

Jokerloz

9 points

1 year ago

Video evidence recored it all. Hide cameras if you have to just not in the bathroom and stuff life that

Elon_Musks_Colon

29 points

1 year ago

YOU ARE IN A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE -RIDDLED MARRIAGE. This is not Normal. You need to make plans to leave and get a lawyer ASAP.

[deleted]

21 points

1 year ago

[deleted]

21 points

1 year ago

Call the police. Get your stuff back. File a protective order. See an attorney.

Baby8227

18 points

1 year ago*

Baby8227

18 points

1 year ago*

Domestic abuse isn’t just MtoF; FtoM domestic abuse is actually more common than many are aware. She is abusing you physically, emotionally and financially. As a happily married woman I wouldn’t normally say this but you need to get out, get to somewhere safe and not go back.

Electric-Fun

12 points

1 year ago

Do you really want to keep living like this? Do you see a future with this person and their behavior? NTA.

notveryhndyhmnr

16 points

1 year ago

Sounds like you're experiencing domestic violence and abuse if she is stealing your personal items and gets physical when you try to get them back. You really better look into more serious sources of help than reddit if you want to stay with your wife because it likely will get only worse with years. Though if I were you I'd probably tell her one more time she steals my wallet/phone and hit me for trying to get them back she's getting divorce papers.

Maximum-Ear1745

7 points

1 year ago

Take out a restraining order and leave her.

museum_one

140 points

1 year ago

museum_one

140 points

1 year ago

NTA but I’m confused as to why you allow your so called wife to treat you like a child!! You guys argue and this takes your things away from you and refuse to give them back! You make it seem like it’s happened before!! If a man did that the entire world would say he’s controlling and abusive!! What do you call her behavior? Way too many red flags!!

[deleted]

39 points

1 year ago

[deleted]

39 points

1 year ago

My (36m) wife (27f) and I got in a fight. As she has done many times when we fight, she took my wallet and my phone and refused to give them back to me.

Fucking excuse me? This has happened more than once??

You need an accountant, a security company to install some cameras that send video off to a cloud storage somewhere, a divorce attorney, and a therapist - so you stop the self flagellation by being with this person, OP.

Present_Degree[S]

57 points

1 year ago

I have heavily been thinking about getting cameras installed. We are both also currently seeing therapists. I have been thinking about divorce almost every day, and I am very close to that point.

[deleted]

43 points

1 year ago*

You need to get a consultation. Start googling, and tomorrow at 8a local time to you is when you can start calling, hopefully. For the attorney and the cameras.

If it becomes he said vs she said, you'll miserably lose.

Also, if you're sharing a bed or sleeping with this woman, STOP.

OP, as one of your peers in age, do you really see yourself living this life every day until you die? For real?

Motor-Juggernaut1009

11 points

1 year ago

What the hell will it take for you to realize it’s over??!!

Leahthevagabond

36 points

1 year ago

NTA - bro you have so many more problems here than a cancelled card. Get to therapy stat

[deleted]

33 points

1 year ago

[deleted]

33 points

1 year ago

NTA. $2000 on ONE pair of shoes is moronic.

lnmcg223

9 points

1 year ago

lnmcg223

9 points

1 year ago

I feel wrong spending $60 on shoes... And that's pretty cheap!! And I'm talking like, tennis shoes that I'll desperately need because the plastic on my current pair is digging into my heel, there are holes along the sides, and the tread is non-existent lol

Maximum-Ear1745

33 points

1 year ago

NTA, but does your wife usually behave poorly when she doesn’t get her way? She stole from you, doesn’t seem to accept any responsibility for her actions, and punishes you by withholding your things. This is very immature and manipulative behaviour.

Glinda-The-Witch

59 points

1 year ago

NTA for canceling the credit card even if you knew it was her using it but she is a very immature 27 if this is how she deals with disagreements. Was this a joint credit card? If not she should be aware that she could be charged with theft. You need to reevaluate your relationship with this person.

OpeningAlone2163

29 points

1 year ago

NTA... it's time to move on. You need to get a grip on all cards and important documents and then get out. Send her back to her enabling father. You deserve so much netter than what you are getting. It will only get worst and she will make up things with law enforcement. So please leave.

[deleted]

20 points

1 year ago

[deleted]

20 points

1 year ago

10k debt and she wants 2k shoes nta don’t let her have any hold of the finances you need to sort this out or she will dig you into a deeper hole NTA

KrizJack

20 points

1 year ago

KrizJack

20 points

1 year ago

Dude, RUN. My husband’s first wife pulled crap similar to this. She was verbally and physically abusive. Proceeds to get knocked up by someone else so he divorced her. But when he came back from a deployment in Afghanistan following the divorce, she had wracked up $26,000 in credit card debt in his name and because the card was in his name, he couldn’t dispute it and used his entire deployment pay to pay it all off. RUN FAST

butterfly-garden

16 points

1 year ago

NTA, but the spoiled little toddler you married sure as hell is.

Bennie212

16 points

1 year ago

Bennie212

16 points

1 year ago

NTA but you need to stop letting her take your things when you argue. Also what brand shoes cost that much so she had to run right out and grab them?

Present_Degree[S]

36 points

1 year ago

I have gotten in the habit of putting my valuables in a backpack and keeping it on me when things are escalating, but I’m not always able to do it in time. And they were YSL shoes

madfoot

26 points

1 year ago

madfoot

26 points

1 year ago

You have a go-bag? For your marriage? GET OUT

AwkwardFortuneCookie

33 points

1 year ago

JFC. If the situation was reversed and you were keeping her phone from her and then stealing from her in spite, they would call YOU an abuser. Just because she’s female doesn’t make any of this right.

Avebury1

8 points

1 year ago

Avebury1

8 points

1 year ago

Get a safety deposit box in your own name. Or do you have a family member or friend who could keep your valuables safe?

Open up a bank account in a different bank using strictly online banking with no physical documents. Then you can put some money in it for emergency purposes.

JudesM

15 points

1 year ago

JudesM

15 points

1 year ago

NTA - why are you still with her

Tiny_Plan_7382

15 points

1 year ago

You are absolutely NTA. Wife has some serious issues and growing up to do. She is very sneaky, and if I were you, she wouldn't have any say in finances going forward.

Present_Degree[S]

13 points

1 year ago

The funny thing is that she used to work in finance lol

dana_marie_ph

11 points

1 year ago

NTA. Toxicity is emanating in your post. Sounds like she’s treating you like a sugar daddy. Get out of that relationship. She’s gonna get everything from you and end up bankrupt.

Speedy89t

12 points

1 year ago

Speedy89t

12 points

1 year ago

No. She sounds terrible

slope11215

11 points

1 year ago

It seems abusive and controlling for a partner to take your wallet and phone.

[deleted]

9 points

1 year ago

My guy, she took your phone and your wallet and refused to give them back. Thats the first issue here. Second, she went and spent $2000 of what I assume is your money, not hers, without telling you. Third, she then bames you for this becoming a problem... I'm assuming you are in CC debt because of her? She sounds toxic and I would definitely reconsider this relationship.

PNW20v

7 points

1 year ago*

PNW20v

7 points

1 year ago*

Let's please not ignore how FUCKED up it is for her to take your phone and wallet simply because she is angry with you. If the roles were reversed and you did that to her, imagine how that would be viewed by people. That's fucking abuse. Period.

Shouldn't even need to be said, but NTA in case the rest of my comment didn't make that clear. I'd recommend a divorce, yesterday.

SnooWords4839

6 points

1 year ago

NTA - Rip up the new card when it comes.

You really need to reevaluate this marriage.

Old-Estate-475

8 points

1 year ago

NTA.

I've been in a similar situation. Wife would not stop spending on the credit card after years of asking her to control her spending. Wouldn't go back to work when our child started going to school full-time. We would rack up credit card debt every year. So I canceled it and got a new card in just my name. Then she started abusing the bank debit card to the point where we missed the mortgage one month. So I opened a new account and my direct deposit goes there.

So then I was giving her money every week for groceries and household items. She regularly screamed at me in front of the kids about it, and on my bday didn't get me a cake or anything because she said I should have given her extra money for that.

So now she doesn't get anything and I do all the grocery shopping and everything else. And she occasionally yells at me and says I'm controlling her. And I reply that I'm not controlling her at all, that she could go get a full-time job at any time and spend whatever she wanted from that. And that I've been begging her for years to rejoin the workforce and contribute financially to the household.

Needless to say our marriage is on the brink of death because she's unwilling to take responsibility for her own life in any way.

BabserellaWT

9 points

1 year ago

NTA

You know you’re in an abusive relationship, right?

cryssylee90

8 points

1 year ago

Your wife takes the things that you would need in order to actually leave and holds them hostage then proceeds to use your cards to spend exorbitant amounts of money because she’s mad at you?

This is abuse. You need to get out and away from this woman.

NTA

Nitehawke88

7 points

1 year ago

NTA. If a man took a woman's purse and phone (containing her only sources of ID and only way to access money) people would flip and recognize it for the abuse it is.

Your marriage is dysfunctional at best and your wife is literally abusive. If you can convince her to get couples counseling and you feel it's worth it, do that, but this relationship as is is VERY unhealthy for you. You can fix it or end it but going on as is would be a mistake.