Velvet sofa girl’s lies about wealth
DAFT TO FALL FOR HER FIBS
MY girlfriend told me she was wealthy but it was all one big lie.
She encouraged me to buy loads of swanky furniture and gadgets for my flat.
She said she had money coming from an uncle and a business deal and she’d split the cost – providing I allowed her to move in with me.
From velvet sofas to a state-ofthe-art music system, she said that my home deserved the best.
We spent days and days in town and online selecting tasteful pieces, but now I’m up to my eyeballs with store and credit card debts and she’s finally admitted she hasn’t got a penny.
Stupid
In fact, she owes money to her parents and an ex-friend, and is asking if I can take out a loan to “tide her over”. She’s conned me and I feel stupid. Why pretend to be something you’re not?
We met after Christmas at a party. I confessed I was nervous because I was just about to exchange contracts on my first flat.
She said she was obsessed with properties and would be happy to help out with decorating and picking out furnishings.
I’m traditionally a flat-pack kind of guy, but she encouraged me to look at the trendiest places.
My bed cost £3,000. Admittedly it is gorgeous and we have had some amazing nights of passion on it, but add that to the cost of the rugs and chairs and I’m in way over my head.
She says she’s really sorry and got carried away, but still thinks I should be grateful that I have a fabulous pad.
She admits she exaggerated her personal wealth because she was so desperate to impress me.
There’s no getting away from the fact she’s got good ideas, but what use is that when every time I look at my sofa I feel guilty and I can’t sleep at night in my fab bed for worrying myself sick?
JANE SAYS: I’m sure spending someone else’s money is a great laugh. But there are consequences and you find yourself with big bills to pay.
Can anything (unused) be returned? Are you inclined to sell stuff you genuinely don’t need? Take a good look around and see what can be done immediately.
Then get all of your paperwork in front of you and work out a monthly budget. Where can cutbacks be made?
What can you afford to repay every month? It goes without saying that you cannot take out a loan for your girlfriend’s benefit single new thing.
Unfortunately, you’ve had to learn a very harsh lesson.
Buying stuff we can’t afford is a mug’s game.
You were too trusting of your girlfriend and allowed yourself to get carried away.
If she’s going to carry on living with you, then is she contributing to rent and bills?
If she’s not, then should she even be there at all?
I worry that she’s a persuasive, charismatic person who might get you into more trouble in the future. Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated.