I have in-law drama! Please HELP,My husband and I have had a really bad time financially lately?

Question

Our house is in pre-forclosure (my husband was not working until just 2 weeks ago since April). Needless to say that I have had to try to pay the bills the best way possible and paying for my 1yr olds needs also. A month ago my father-in-law insisted that we move in for a little while until we can save money for an apartment, I was hesitant but I did live 1hr and 1/2 away from work so in gas I would spend like 600 a month alone + any other bills. We moved in and we were told not to pay anything, however my husband and I didn't feel confortable with that so we insisted on paying the diffrence in the light bill and the water bill for the time that we are there compared to previous bills. How ever I found out today that they expect me to pay a 296.23 water bill! My water bill wasn't even 200.00 when I had new sod put in at my old place. What should I do?? We found an apartment and are moving next weekend, pay 1/2 is fair price to both them and us, is it not? Help

The bill is for 2 months and we have only been there 1 month.

Answer 1

If you have it pay it all. I know your initial reaction is that is not fair. Hear me out though. The $150 you would save is not worth the hassle and hard feelings it might cause. At the least tell them you are stretched with the apt costs and pay half now and the other half next month. Give them the money they helped you out and you will have to deal with them forever. BTW I know in-laws suck.

Answer 2

Your in laws have been generous, and now is not the time to rock the boat. I think I would approach my in laws and let them know I will pay the bill, but can only afford half immediately, and will need ..x.. weeks to pay the rest.

Make sure you say a length of time a week or so longer than you need, and then pay the balance a little earlier than they expected.

Don't say anything, but don't forget it either. I feel they are discreetly letting you and your hubby know that they helped but their help has limits.

That is actually fair enough when you think about it, but not quite as generous as they originally made out.

In my experience, people say a lot of stuff that they regret fairly soon about helping people, and it seems like you are finding this out.

However, it should not be you who is forced to deal with this alone. You and your husband should speak to your in laws together.

Don't get into a shouting match ~ after all, they HAVE helped you, and you'll soon be in your own home and the aggravation will be behind you.

Thank them for their help, move out and never ask for another thing from them as long as you live.

That would be my approach.

Good luck and best wishes :-)

Answer 3

just pay the bill. believe me, in the long run $300 dollars isnt worth ruining your relationship with them. It is an unfortunate situation but you are doing the right thing by moving out ASAP. If you know you haven't taken advantage, then just bow out gracefully.

Also, you might just want to suck it up, tell them you need to talk about it, and lay it on the table about the high bill. I know that water companies in different cities and counties have different fees. For example, where i used to live our water bill was 40 every other month, but now we live in a different county and it is 80 EVERY month. More than double what we used to pay. So, just keep that in mind too. Sorry.

Answer 4

Half is plenty fair to pay them. Let them know that you offered to pay the difference, not the entire bill! It was nice of them to offer to let you all stay, but they should not expect you to pay that when you are trying to save money and especially with you in the process of moving out. Just give them $100 and call it done. Surely between the two of you, you did not use that much water anyway. It is unreadonable of them to want you to pay that amount.

Answer 5

You must disconnect yourself emotionally first. This is a business deal and nothing more. You family will come to terms with the idea of you moving on.

Water prices vary in different districts.

Pay half now and the other half on time. This way they can never come back and say you owe them. It may be tough but in the long run you can face them if you meet the on the street.

Answer 6

Truth be told, although at first paying half did sound fair, it dawned on me that you were also living there rent-free for a while. I think you got a great deal if that's all you had to pay, but if you truly feel that they went back on your word and can deal with the backlash of contradicting what they're asking for now, offer to pay half of the bill.

Answer 7

I don't think its fair that they told you that you didnt have to pay anything, then they handed you a huge bill.

Nonetheless, in order to keep peace in the family, you should proablably pay the bill. If you don't have it all, offer a portion now and a little more at a later date until it's paid off.

Answer 8

Since you didn't have to pay them for anything else, you might want to realize this is actually cheaper than paying rent or hotel for 2 monthes.
Or you could ask them why they changed their mind, do it in a nice way. If you don't have the money explain it to them.
If they let you move in they must be somewhat understanding.

Answer 9

It sounds like you were originally willing to pay more then just the difference in the couple of utilities. Just pay it and avoid drama and them ever being able to say you still owe them.
They're wrong to change the terms of the deal after the fact but just pay it and move on.
I had this very thing happen to me with my MIL. It was worth it to just pay it and shut her up and she could never say we still owed her anything.
Best of luck!

Answer 10

Man- I hate money drama. If you don't want it to be a continuous money battle pay the whole thing...move out quickly and politely refuse future help involving money.