La vida
06
Katya Strolled Past the Shop Windows, Feasting with Her Eyes. She Visualised What Her Slim Purse Could Afford. It Seemed Clear: She’d Have to Start Saving.
Emily Smith drifted past shop windows, eyefeeding herself on the displays. In her mind she tallied how
La vida
012
Living in Someone Else’s Home? Then Pay the Rent! “I don’t even know if my daughter’s wedding will happen. Everyone’s arguing, and my future son-in-law has gone off the rails. Just two weeks to the wedding, and he’s lost the plot. I feel so sorry for my daughter,” confides Alison. “Why are you all fighting?” “You won’t believe it—it’s over the flat. We wanted to do something special for the young couple, so we pooled all our savings and bought a flat as a wedding present. We even had to sell our lakeside cottage and garage to cover the cost. The property is registered in my daughter’s name. But since they’re getting married, what difference does it make whose name is on the deeds?” “Exactly…” “That’s what my husband and I think. The place, of course, is completely empty. It needs a total renovation and some furniture, but we haven’t got any savings left. My husband suggested to our future son-in-law that we all pitch in and sort the flat out together, so they can move in as soon as possible. But my son-in-law refuses to do any work!” “Why not?” “Because he says it’s not his flat. He doesn’t want to put money into a property that isn’t in his name. He said we should do the renovation ourselves. He might buy a few little things, but he has no intention of spending much.” “So maybe they should just live there as is, without any renovations.” “That’s impossible—it’s completely bare. Plus, it needs all the plumbing and electrics redone, the floors and walls levelled, and the old windows really have to go before they fall apart. At least some basic work needs doing,” says Alison. “In my opinion, nobody could live in those conditions. I’m not fussy, but how can a young couple live in such a dump? It’s embarrassing. My future son-in-law works in a big company; he earns a good salary, but he’s tight with his money. You see, he wants to save for a place of his own, so he’s never left without a roof over his head. “It turns out he wants to live at our expense. He insists we pay for the refurbishment. So I told him: if you think the flat isn’t yours, then pay rent! He just smiled and agreed,” sighs Alison. “What does your daughter make of all this?” “She’s utterly distraught and keeps crying. She loves him dearly, but we can’t put his name on the deeds too. Now she says she doesn’t want the flat or the renovation. But I don’t like that a man won’t invest anything in his family. What’s next? They’re not even married and already thinking about splitting up and who would get what,” says Alison. Do you think my future son-in-law should invest in this flat? He’s planning to live there, start a family, settle down. Does it really matter who owns it on paper? Or is his position reasonable? What would you do in his situation?
Someone else’s home? Then pay the rent! I find myself thinking about it now, all these years later
La vida
011
My In-Laws Won’t Let the Past Go – They Keep Pushing My Husband Back to His Ex-Wife: “Don’t You Understand, They Share a Son!” My Mother-in-Law Complains Endlessly
My husbands parents simply refuse to accept realitytheyre constantly trying to reunite him with his ex-wife.
La vida
05
My Friend, 42, Finally Found a Wife—He Says She’s a Brilliant Cleaner and a Fantastic Cook, and That’s All He Cares About
My old friend, George, was forty-two when he finally settled down with a wife. He used to say she was
La vida
027
“I’m Off on Holiday—I’m Not Here to Babysit Anyone! My Mother-in-Law Let Me Down, but I Gave Her a Taste of Her Own Medicine”
Im off on holidayIm not here to babysit anyone! My mother-in-law left me in the lurch, but I got my own back.
La vida
011
My Mother-in-Law Offered to Help Look After Our Children This Summer Since She’s Retired, But Now My Brother-in-Law Drops Off His Three Kids Without Food or Money—How Can I Address This Without Causing a Family Row?
My mother-in-law offered to help us with the kids during the summer. Shes recently retired and has a
La vida
05
My Mother-in-Law is Trying to Break Up My Marriage—and the Saddest Part is My Husband Doesn’t Believe Me
My mother-in-law is trying to ruin my marriage. The saddest part is that my husband doesnt believe me.
La vida
08
My Husband’s Parents Won’t Let the Past Go – They Keep Pushing Him Back Toward His Ex-Wife: “Don’t You Understand? They Have a Son Together!” My Mother-in-Law Complains
You wouldnt believe the drama going on with Adams parentsthey just wont let it go, and theyre obsessed
La vida
05
He Once Again Trusted a Fellow Person
He once again placed his trust in a human. The cat, a sleek tabby named Tom, sat in the kitchen opposite
La vida
04
The Newcomer: A Fresh Face in Town
28September Im still trying to get my head around the fact that today was my first week as a junior accountant