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‘I would absolutely press charges’: Reddit explodes over boyfriend using girlfriend’s emergency fund without permission

Reddit rallies behind a woman whose boyfriend stole $1,500 from her savings. Is it theft, a red flag, or both? Spoiler: It’s both.

The AITA (Am I The Asshole) subreddit is known for stirring debates, but one recent post has sparked a wave of outrage. A woman turned to Reddit for advice after discovering her boyfriend took $1,500 from her $2,000 emergency savings fund without her permission. As expected, the responses were swift, unified, and, honestly, spot on.

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Let’s break it down

Our original poster (OP) had been diligently saving up her emergency fund, keeping it separate from her everyday finances. Her boyfriend, Jake, has been struggling since losing his job, and she’s already currently helping him with groceries and gas. 

Last week, Jake’s car broke down, and the repair bill totaled $1,500. When she told him she couldn’t cover the cost, she suggested he ask family or work out a payment plan. Problem solved, right? Wrong.

A few days later, she noticed her savings account was missing $1,500. That’s when she discovered Jake had transferred the money to himself using her laptop, while she was asleep. His justification? “We’re a team, and you weren’t using the money anyway.” Let’s pause for a moment to appreciate the audacity.

When confronted, Jake promised to pay her back “once he gets a job,” but instead of showing remorse, he doubled down by calling her selfish. He argued that she wasn’t supporting him during a difficult time. To make matters worse, some of their mutual friends chimed in, saying she was being too harsh for demanding the money back.

Reddit agrees

The internet’s reaction is a resounding NTA (Not The Asshole). Reddit users quickly pointed out that this isn’t a minor misstep or a misunderstanding — it’s theft. One of the top comments suggested she press charges immediately, and the majority of responses echoed that sentiment. The community rallied around the OP, emphasizing that her boyfriend’s actions weren’t just financially damaging, they were a blatant breach of trust and a major red flag in the relationship.

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The story highlights deeper issues beyond the money itself. Trust, boundaries, and respect are the foundation of any healthy relationship, and Jake disregarded all three. His decision to take the money without asking and then attempt to justify it shows a lack of accountability and maturity that would give anyone pause.

For the poster, this situation is a wake-up call. Many commenters urged her to not only demand her money back but to also reconsider the relationship entirely, and call the police to report the theft. If someone feels entitled to take from you without your consent, what else might they justify in the name of being “a team?”

This isn’t just about financial boundaries, it’s about recognizing manipulation and standing firm against it. As many Redditors pointed out, being in a relationship doesn’t mean giving up your autonomy or allowing someone to exploit your resources.

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The verdict

Jake’s actions were manipulative, selfish, and downright criminal. Relationships thrive on mutual respect and clear boundaries, and this one seems to lack both. The verdict is clear: OP is NTA, and she would be entirely justified in taking legal action, demanding her money back, and leaving this toxic relationship behind. Some red flags can’t be ignored, and this is one of them.


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Sara Large
Contributing Writer
Sara Large (she/they) is a contributing writer at The Mary Sue, specializing in horror, thriller, and true crime. A proud advocate for neurodiversity and inclusivity with a passion for geek culture, Sara has been active in the fandom world since 2016, racking up over 1 million views on her personal platforms—thanks in part to some ADHD-powered hyperfocus! Her love for online communities and pop culture led to an exciting role at Skybound Entertainment, where she worked on iconic franchises like The Walking Dead and Invincible. Whether it’s comics, TV shows, or anything in between, Sara is all in! You can follow her on most platforms @mamadeadhead.