Woman Pulls Awesome Power Move on Her Freeloading SIL, Straight from a Popular Comedy Sitcom!

We all know someone that conveniently ‘forgets’ their wallet when you meet them for coffee or dinner, don’t we? The first time it happens you think, “never mind, I’ll shout this one.” The second time it happens you wonder how they get through life by being so forgetful…and by the third you realise; you’re just being used. In fact, you start to dread, or even avoid meeting them out anywhere, knowing full well that you’ll be footing the bill, because no matter how many times they say “I’ll get them next time,” next time never comes!

One woman, writing into Reddit had this exact same issue with her sister-in-law. She explains:

My (f28) SIL “Amy” (f26) always comes to visit from out of town. She stays with us instead of a hotel, and always wants to go to expensive restaurants. She always conveniently forgets her wallet, or comes up with some excuses as to why she can’t pay her share. She has implied that since I make much more money than her, I should be the one to pay (no, not my husband should pay, but me specifically). I do make a fair amount of money, but not so much that I can treat someone every time they come into town. Nonetheless, in the past, I have just paid the bill and asked her to pay me back. She never has.

She had made a reservation at an extremely expensive restaurant last night, and before we left, I made it clear that I wouldn’t be paying her bill.

But this is where the story gets interesting. Knowing her sister-in-law’s track record of being a blatant free loader, the woman resolves not to let her get away with it this time.

This is where I might be the asshole, and I’ll admit I got this move straight from and episode of Two and a Half men. As we were leaving, her and my husband went to the car. I pretended I forgot something and went back inside. I found her wallet sitting right on top of her suitcase. I put it in my purse and we went to the restaurant.

When we were done eating, I asked for separate bills. She said no, we need one bill, because she “forgot” her wallet again. I reached in my purse and said, “this wallet?”

She was extremely furious. She said that I should not have touched or grabbed her wallet.

So AITA for taking her wallet and bringing it to the restaurant?

Commenters were generally in support of the woman’s bold move with one person replying “Definitely not an asshole, but you might be a legend” and another saying “She’s playing checkers, you’re playing chess, and she’s mad you called her on her BS.”

Another commenter suggested she should have taken things a step further.

NTA but you totally should have flipped the switch- left your wallet at home- only brought your licence so she had to cover the whole bill then never taken her out to a restaurant again (jizzy_lizzie)

However some people thought that she should have revealed that she had the wallet sooner to avoid the awkward confrontation at the restaurant.

NTA. I wouldn’t have touched her wallet, but when you got to the car, you could have said, “Hey I just noticed your wallet is still inside. You should go grab it so you can pay your bill as we agreed.” And then simply refused to go until she did. (kemushi_warui)

Others agreed.

Just grab it and hand it to her as soon as you’re back in the car – “Hey, you forgot your wallet again so I grabbed it for you.” There’s no response to that other than “oh…cool, thanks.” Also, it leads nicely to the follow up of “by the way, you never paid me for the last time you forgot your wallet, so you’re cool with covering tonight, right?” (TheDisapprovingBrit)

Other questioned why her husband was allowing his sister to behave that way towards his wife.

NTA. That was a boss move. But if you want to keep it up without getting accused of touching her things, when you’re in the car, don’t let your husband start driving until she shows you she has her wallet on her. You told her right up front “I’m not paying this time.” and she tried to push you into it. Honestly, I don’t know why you keep going out with her. Cancel. Or insist your husband pays. Like, what does he say about all of this? Because he needs to have a chat with his sister about how she’s abusing your generosity. (DNRmyDNA)

When I read you pulled Charlie’s trick with wallet I almost choked on my tea 😂

NTA leeches should be thought lesson and your SIL for sure deserve it! I just wonder where is your husband in this, why he allowed his sister(?) to behave like this and didn’t nip this behavior moment you realized what she is doing!? (CrazyMath2022)

In a later edit the woman reveals that her sister-in-law had found the Reddit thread and was furious! “Amy just called me, she saw this post and she yelled at me for “badmouthing” her on the internet. Honestly I don’t care. Amy, hopefully reading all these comments is a wake up call for you.”

We couldn’t agree more!

How do you deal with chronic moochers who always expect other people to pay their way?