Husband makes $212k more than wife, insists they split $2600 rent 50/50 while she is on unpaid maternity leave: 'I'm relying on my personal savings'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Aug 28, 2025 9:00 PM EDT

In every serious relationship, it is vital that both halves of a couple are on the same page about certain topics. One of these topics is how to manage finances. Depending on things like personal income and what each person contributes to the household, there can be all kinds of arrangements that both deem to be acceptable. What is most important is that the joint expenses are split in a way that is comfortable for both parties.

Unfortunately, this is a balance that is frequently disrespected in many relationships. There are many individuals who have unrealistic expectations of what their partner can provide for them financially, and it is the person they supposedly love who suffers the most for it. When a couple is married and has a family, it is when the money matters most, and yet there are plenty of spouses who disregard that to the detriment of their home life.

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  • 01
    mom cradles young baby in a sling
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02
    Gabrielle Blair @designmom Oh is this what we're playing? Then he owes her $40k for the egg donation and $200k for the surrogacy. And I guess she owes him like 15 bucks for the sperm?
    via designmom

  • One new mom was feeling the pressure after her husband expected her to continue contributing 50/50 to their $2.6k rent even as she was on unpaid maternity leave. He earned four times more than she did, and also wanted her to contribute to a deposit on a house they wanted to buy together.

    The woman was reduced to using her savings to keep up with these joint expenses, and she felt like she needed some respite from paying so much. She sought advice on how to manage the situation.

  • 03
    r/Marriage u/No-Quit-1112 13d Join I'm on unpaid maternity leave. My husband still expects me to pay half the rent. Is this fair? Seeking Advice My husband earns 4x more than me (I earn 68k and he earns 280k). Our rent is 2.6k/ month. We've been splitting rent 50-50 since we moved in together, before we got married. The arrangement did not change after we got married and now that we have a baby, with me having 0 income, so I'm relying on my personal savings. I say personal because we don't have
    via designmom
  • 04
    businessman leans against wall, looking at phone with wired headphones
    via Nick Fewings

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 05

    Commenters were clear that they were not on the husband's side.

    Jay⭑ @jaycansea Replying to @designmom What kind of bl demands rent from his wife right after she's given birth to their child? If he can't even explain that logic, then it's divorce time. That's not love or partnership, that's him using you to subsidize his consumerist lifestyle. Anytime either of us has been unemployed or sick longer than expected, we've never demanded the other still cover their share. We figured out a way to manage it, whether that meant leaning on a credit union for a low i
    via jaycansea
  • 06
    a worn piggy bank with coins surrounding it
    via Diane Helentjaris
  • 07
    Joachim Wagner @Wjrgo Replying to @jaycansea and @designmom Just stop paying. Let him do the paperwork if he still doesn't get it how finances work in a marriage.
    via Wjrgo
  • 08
    Geeps @waaana753250864 Replying to @designmom I would divorce him. She would get more from the divorce than the marriage.
    via waaana753250864
  • 09
    just a bluebird @hubbstercat Replying to @designmom He also owes her 24/7 daycare money.
    via hubbstercat
  • 10
    Drew Downs @drew_downs Replying to @designmom Jesus. This dude is trying to wipe out her savings so that she has no choice but to stay with him.
    via drew_downs
  • 11
    Debbie, Just Crabby @Deb1323 Replying to @designmom He's just using her. Does not sound like he loves her. He does not even shell out the money to support her after she has a baby for him. A divorce sounds like a good idea.
    via Deb1323
  • 12
    Traci @ants21597 Replying to @designmom Why did they even get married? I would just not pay it. What's he going to do?
    via ants21597
  • 13
    Jen @Misdrex Replying to @designmom If she's not working then no it makes no sense to do 50/50 here.
    via Misdrex
  • 14
    Master Exploder @ladyofthefire Replying to @designmom Time to leave if she already has the numbers worked out.
    via ladyofthefire
  • 15
    Desert Dreamer @ps_pride Replying to @designmom I mean isn't that a question you have before you move in together/marry?
    via ps_pride
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    Jocelyn Rachelle @Jocelyn_Rache Replying to @designmom Not to mention, he wants her to pay half the bills AND do all of the childcare and work at home. Many such cases these days.
    via Jocelyn_Rache
  • 17
    JustGary @justlynnagain Replying to @designmom He hates her
    via justlynnagain
  • 18
    Dan @Tractor Law Replying to @designmom Why is a married couple splitting rent? FFS just put everything in one pot and be a team. Why even get married if you're not unifying your life with your spouse? Sheesh.
    via TractorLaw
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    Nonya Business @4NonyaBusiness Replying to @designmom That's also add in cost of lost wages, cost of medical care, cost of lost wages information. She now won't get as a mother and the hit. She's taking on retirement savings due to maternity leave and the promotion she won't get.
    via 4NonyaBusiness
  • 20
    the pendulum keeps sw... @40wattbulb Replying to @designmom She clearly has two babies. Do not buy a house with this dude.
    via 40wattbulb
  • 21
    Ned @NheddieGets Fit Replying to @designmom I'm going to take a wild guess about who chose the $2600/mth apartment and how much input the other partner got... What a jacka$$.
    via NheddieGetsFit
  • 22
    Tara Dugan @Dugie333 Replying to @designmom Lol at what's the best approach. Girl you should never have married that POS let alone continue his line.
    via Dugie333
  • 23
    Kitsune @Merus_Spittoon Replying to @designmom Have you tried telling him he's being a bit fl ed up? Maybe show him costs for newborn daycare in comparison to you earnings and ask him to foot the entire bill so you can still contribute 50/50. If he says no, find a divorce attorney
    via Merus_Spittoon
  • 24
    Dan Rather be (seasona... @Dan Rather_ D-I-V-O-R-C-E
    via Dan_Rather_
  • 25
    @ughodly if he earns 4x more why are each of you contributing 50%........... that's just exploitation
    via ughodly
  • 26
    alpha @omarsbigsister I pray for American women to stop being stupid
    via omarsbigsister
  • 27
    Ghadooy @Ghadooysz That's her roommate
    via Ghadooysz
  • 28
    Sparkle. @callmeKhadi Stop marrying and or mating with bums. This would be my second action point under my regime.
    via callmeKhadi

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