Singaporean woman shares concerns over her boyfriend’s insistence on a 50/50 split of expenses despite vast income disparity.
A Singaporean woman has raised concerns about her long-term relationship after discovering that her boyfriend, who earns a staggering S$2 million annually, expects them to split all expenses equally, despite the vast difference in their salaries.
In an anonymous post on the NUSWhispers Facebook page on January 21, the woman, who earns between S$36,000 and S$48,000 annually, shared that while her boyfriend is sweet, loyal, and attentive, she struggles to understand why he insists on a 50/50 split when their financial situations are so different.
She explained that although her boyfriend enjoys high-end dining experiences, she prefers budget-friendly options. “I offer more affordable alternatives, but he refuses, saying those places are ‘for poor people’ and the food is ‘inedible,'” she said. He frequently chooses expensive restaurants like Hai Di Lao, where meals can cost between S$40 to S$100 per person, while she feels uncomfortable with the inflated prices.
Despite trying to accommodate his preferences, the woman finds herself financially strained by the arrangement. She said her boyfriend has even suggested she should be earning a salary of S$10,000 to S$15,000, comparable to the lifestyle he leads, in order to fairly split costs.
Her frustrations extend beyond finances, as she also feels burdened by the uneven effort in the relationship. She often travels to his Orchard condo, while he rarely visits her in her heartland home. When she offers to help with household chores, he dismisses her, preferring to wait for a cleaner.
The woman expressed doubts about whether her boyfriend truly loves her or if the relationship has become one of convenience, where he takes advantage of her financial situation. In response, many commenters on the post criticised her boyfriend, with some suggesting she leave the relationship for the sake of her emotional well-being.
However, a few netizens offered advice, suggesting she try to negotiate a more equitable arrangement, such as an 80/20 split, and possibly discuss moving in together to ease the imbalance.
Experts in personal finance, such as Megan Liscomb, advise that couples with significant income differences should not adopt a strict 50/50 expense split. Instead, they recommend dividing costs based on each person’s income percentage. For instance, the higher-earning partner could contribute more towards major expenses, while the lower-earning partner takes care of smaller costs.
Ultimately, Liscomb stresses that the key to a successful financial arrangement is finding a solution that both partners feel is fair and comfortable for them.
