Father’s College Fund Conundrum: A Clash of Financial Priorities

Meet our story’s protagonist, whom we’ll call ‘Dollar Dad’ (51M). He’s got two children, Katie (17) and Mark (15), and a lovely lady in his life, Alice, who has a daughter, Eliza (17). They’ve been living together for six months, sharing expenses, but keeping individual costs separate. As they consider marriage and merging finances, a thorny issue arises – college savings. Dollar Dad has diligently saved for his children’s education, but Alice hasn’t done the same for Eliza. When Alice suggests dividing Dollar Dad’s savings equally among the three kids, the financial fireworks begin.

The Financial Setup

The Marriage Talk

The College Fund Conundrum

The Shocking Revelation

The Proposal

Equal or Fair?

Retirement Funds: Off Limits!

The Fallout

Seeking Perspectives

Dollar Dad’s Dilemma: A Financial Feud of Fairness and Foresight

Dollar Dad’s story is a tale of love, family, and financial planning gone awry. He’s saved diligently for his children’s college education, but his partner, Alice, hasn’t done the same for her daughter. When Alice suggests dividing his savings among the three kids, Dollar Dad balks. He believes in fairness, not just equality, and doesn’t want to penalize his kids for his foresight. The disagreement has put their relationship on the rocks. As he seeks unbiased opinions, it’s clear that this financial fracas has stirred up a storm of emotions and moral quandaries.

“NTA – ‘Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency on my part.'”

NTA. A clash of financial priorities with a bonkers life partner.

NTA… Alice’s late request seems sketchy. Red flag situation.

NTA. Separate finances and prenup: reasonable boundaries for marriage.

“NTA, for this alone: ‘Alice is accusing me of not caring about Eliza – that I would find a way if it was my child.’ Presumably Alice cares about Eliza, and Eliza is her child… so she doesn’t get to make remarks like this unless she also found a way. So what’s her excuse?”

Santa says NTA. Alice is being unreasonable

NTA for prioritizing your kids’ future over your partner’s assumptions

NTA. Money belongs to Katie and Mark, treating kids equal.

“NTA. It’s entitled to expect financial burden out of nowhere. ‍♂️”

NTA saves college fund for specific person, Alice’s expectations questioned

Fairness in college funds: NTA for prioritizing your children’s future

NTA. NAPB. A 17 year plan vs. a <2 year relationship.

NTA: Unreasonable college fund plan causing family financial clash

“NTA. Set up a fund now and cosign a loan? “

Protecting your kids’ future first

NTA. Stand up for your own kids!

NTA. Protecting your children’s future vs. Alice’s entitled expectations

Combining families can lead to financial conflicts and resentments.

Financial struggles, college funds, and the complexities of blended families.

Rewarding Alice’s lack of planning? Not the a**hole move.

Eliza’s financial dilemma: loans, grants, and fairness. NTA

NTA. Awful request for college funds. Couples therapy? Big red flag.

NTA: Stick to your financial plan, it’s not your responsibility.

Alice’s motives questioned: partnership or gold mine?

NTA. Financial priorities clash! Discussing finances before marriage is crucial.

NTA: Don’t sacrifice your kids’ future for her poor planning

Financial aid dilemma: NTA for prioritizing daughter’s future

NTA: Smart decision to save for your children’s college

Delay marriage to protect Eliza’s college aid eligibility

NTA. Alice not TA for not saving for daughter’s education, but TA for high hopes without savings. My parents did the same.

Runnnnnnnnnnnn…. Huge red flag! ☹️ Don’t rush into marriage, NTA.

NTA. Avoiding a financial leech is a smart move

Eliza’s bio dad won’t help her with college funds

NTA. GF’s entitlement: preferential treatment for her kid, ignoring yours.

Is Alice using you to pay for Eliza’s college?

NTA – Partner’s lack of planning leads to relationship loss

NTA, run! ‍♂️ Don’t let her use you for money!

“NTA- Not your fault. Eliza’s situation sucks, but not your responsibility.”

NTA: Discovering different financial priorities can be eye-opening

NTA. Prioritizing her own daughter’s needs.

Treating kids equally means supporting them equally. NTA

Putting kids first is the right move. Don’t alienate them

Not the a**hole. Share your thoughts on financial priorities!

NTA: Prioritizing your kids’ future over your partner’s financial mistakes

NTA: Alice using you as her daughter’s college fund?

Unreasonable suggestion sparks clash of financial priorities

NTA: Prioritizing your future and questioning Alice’s plan for her daughter.

NTA. Set boundaries and encourage daughter to explore loan options

Financial red flags in relationships can lead to disaster

NTA – Fairness, presents, and a clash of financial priorities

Financial priorities clash, but commenter is not the a**hole.

NTA. Community college is a great option! Don’t let prejudice win.

Entitlement and financial priorities clash in this college fund conundrum

NTA- Cutting kids’ college funds for new partner? Resentment guaranteed!

NTA: Woman exploits husband-to-be’s money to catch up in life

NTA. How was she planning on paying for Eliza’s college?

NTA. Your stepdaughter is responsible for her own college expenses

NTA: Protecting your children’s savings and maintaining a healthy relationship

Taking advantage of someone? Not cool. NTA

NTA: Don’t let anyone risk your kids’ future. Stay strong!

NTA. Alice’s single mom status could help Eliza get financial aid.

The surprising reality of tackling college debt without savings

NTA. Responsible planning for children’s futures, not your fault.

NTA, Eliza can find scholarships and grants for college expenses!

Engaging caption: A loving mother’s worry and a father’s fair perspective

Walk away! Prioritize yourself and your children’s future.