We’ve all had those moments where we forget our wallet or credit card at home—it happens to the best of us. But when it becomes a habit, especially with someone you care about, it starts to feel less like an accident and more like a pattern. That’s exactly what one woman shared in a recent Reddit post, asking the internet whether she was wrong for refusing to pay for her boyfriend and his kids’ dinner after yet another instance where he conveniently “forgot” his wallet.
According to her story, she had been dating her boyfriend for nine months. He has two daughters from a previous relationship, and the four of them had developed a routine of eating out together once a week. The issue? Every time they went out, her boyfriend would conveniently forget his wallet, leaving her to cover the entire bill—including for his children. At first, she didn’t make a fuss. She figured it was just one of those things that happens from time to time. But as the weeks went on and the same scenario played out repeatedly, she began to realize it wasn’t just forgetfulness—it was manipulation. Before their most recent dinner outing, she even sent him a text message reminding him to bring his wallet. Rather than taking the hint, he laughed it off. When they got to the restaurant, his daughters started ordering the most expensive dishes on the menu without hesitation.
Then, right before the food arrived, she asked him directly if he had remembered his wallet. He looked caught off guard, then started patting his pockets and said, “Oh, I must’ve left it in the other jeans I thought I was going to wear.” He then turned to her and asked if she could just cover it “this one time.” That was the final straw for her. Fed up and no longer willing to play along, she picked up her bag, stood up, and told him she wouldn’t be paying for dinner this time. When he asked where she was going, she told him to enjoy the evening with his kids—but that she was done footing the bill. Later, he called her furious. He accused her of lacking compassion for his children and told her he had to cancel the meal and take them home hungry.
He claimed she was being selfish and said he needed to reassess how she was treating his daughters. Hurt and confused, she turned to Reddit for some outside perspective, unsure if she had made the right decision. The overwhelming response from the Reddit community was that she had absolutely done the right thing. Many users pointed out that it was clear her boyfriend was using her, and that he was trying to guilt-trip her by involving his children. One commenter said, “NTA. Sweetie, you need to dump the loser. He’ll bleed you dry for the rest of your life and belittle you.” Another chimed in, “NTA. This guy is a manipulative AH. Red flags left and right. ETA: you’re my hero for walking out. Had you stayed, he would have gaslighted you into paying.
@comfortlevelpodcast Nope. #AITA #redditstories #podcast #fyp ♬ original sound – ComfortLevelPodcast
This is a situation he created.” These comments made it clear that her boyfriend’s actions were not only unfair but also emotionally manipulative. It wasn’t about a one-time mistake—it was a pattern of behavior designed to take advantage of her generosity while making her feel guilty for setting boundaries. In relationships, financial responsibility and respect should be shared, especially when children are involved. Using the kids as a shield to excuse poor behavior is not only dishonest but also deeply unfair to everyone involved. While walking out might have seemed harsh to some, it was an act of self-respect for this woman, a boundary she had every right to set. What do you think about this situation? Was she justified in her decision, or should she have handled it differently?
