SINGAPORE — A man took to social media to express frustration over his father’s fixation on money, particularly regarding the monthly allowances given to his parents. In a post on the SGWhispers Facebook page, the man revealed that he and his brother both contribute to their parents’ living expenses, covering bills and insurance in addition to providing a monthly allowance.

Initially, they planned to give each parent $450 per month. However, their father, citing savings and CPF, insisted on receiving only $200 while suggesting that their mother take the full $450. Despite this, the brothers chose to give their father $300 and their mother $450. The man noted that while his mother barely checks her allowance, his father meticulously tracks every cent, keeping receipts and tallying the amounts.

Recently, tensions escalated when their mother booked two holiday trips with friends. Their father began hinting that the allowance distribution should be revised, claiming he could manage the money better. “My father is a bit of a miser,” the man wrote, adding that his father avoids spending money on anything unless it’s a family trip. The man explained that when they travel with their father, they always have to justify spending money on experiences like eating at popular restaurants or buying souvenirs. Their father, he said, is obsessed with getting the most value out of every ticket, often filling the day with activities from early morning to late evening, even if he’s visibly exhausted.

The brothers suggested splitting the allowance evenly between their parents, but the man believed his father’s true intent was to limit their mother’s spending. “My mum has been a housewife for most of her life. She didn’t get to enjoy her youth, and my father is so stingy that she can’t spend without his permission,” he wrote. The man even encouraged his father to pick up hobbies or join community groups, but these suggestions went unheeded.

Arguments over money between the parents have become more frequent. The man explained that his father often guilt-trips his mother for not having an income, making her feel unappreciated for the years of effort she dedicated to raising the family. “He also compares us to his friends’ children who earn more or drive bigger cars,” the man lamented. “But what’s the point? We’re not going to starve or be homeless. Can’t he just enjoy life, or at least let others enjoy theirs?”

Netizens sympathized with the man, with many agreeing that while his father’s behavior was frustrating, they could also understand his concerns about money.

In a related post, the man shared details of an upcoming family trip to Genting. His mother was set to arrive first, with the rest of the family joining her two days later. The man noted that his father refused to pack his own luggage, leaving the responsibility to the children. Even after the bags were packed, his father would complain about not including his preferred shirts, despite giving vague packing instructions.