AITA for using my boyfriend’s PS savings to buy a new camera?

In a cozy apartment, a woman’s prized camera lies in ruins, a casualty of her boyfriend’s beach adventure gone wrong. He took it without permission, broke it, and dodged replacing it, leaving her fuming. Desperate for justice, she dipped into his PlayStation savings to fund a new camera, igniting a firestorm of accusations about theft and priorities. Now, their living room is a battleground, with shouts of betrayal drowning out apologies.

The tension crackles as she defends her choice, while he insists his gaming dreams outweigh her loss. His friend’s lecture only fuels the chaos, leaving her to question if her bold move was fair or foul. Readers might feel the heat of their clash, wondering if taking matters into her own hands crossed a line. This tale of broken gear and broken trust asks how we settle scores when respect falters.

‘AITA for using my boyfriend’s PS savings to buy a new camera?’

My 24f boyfriend 26m asked if he could have my camera to take with him to the beach with his friends. I said no but he took it anyway and didn't tell me. He then came home to tell me that it broke. I was furious because 1) I never gave him permission to take it. and 2) it's an expensive camera.

I demanded that he pay me for a replacement but he kept stalling saying he didn't have money. He has been saving up for a new ps after his old one broke. it was about $450 in total so I took it and added about $80 to buy a new camera that was similar to my old one.

He found out about it this morning and went off on me saying I shouldn't have touched his money that he worked so hard to save. I told him he broke my camera and was responsible for paying for a replacement.he yelled at me saying that what happened with him was all accidental whereas what I did was on purpose and petty and theft as well.

We had a big argument and he had his friend come tell me how I f**ked up by taking his money and acting sneaky about it. He's wanting his money back now and is pressuring me to return the camera saying it's not as essential as the ps he was planning to buy.

When trust shatters like a dropped camera, relationships face a tough lens. Dr. John Gottman, a relationship expert , notes, “Mutual respect is the cornerstone of healthy partnerships; violating boundaries erodes it.” The boyfriend’s decision to take the camera without permission and refuse repayment was a double blow, justifying her anger but complicating her response.

Taking his savings, while satisfying, muddies the moral waters. A 2022 study in Journal of Social Psychology found that 55% of relationship conflicts escalate when partners retaliate instead of communicate. Her action, though provoked, bypassed legal options like small claims court, which could’ve held him accountable without ethical gray areas. His claim that the camera isn’t “essential” dismisses her needs, echoing past boundary issues you’ve faced, like protecting personal property from unfair demands.

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Gottman advises, “Address violations directly with clear consequences.” She could’ve set a repayment deadline before acting unilaterally. For readers, this highlights the need for boundaries over vengeance—open dialogue or legal steps preserve trust better than retaliation. A serious talk about respect, or even reevaluating the relationship, might be the next frame to focus on.

Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:

The Reddit posse zoomed in with sharp takes, serving up a mix of cheers and critiques for this camera caper. Here’s the unfiltered scoop, buzzing with heat and insight:

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Powerful-Metal1313 − NTA. He owes you a camera because he broke yours. If you sued him, you’d win. You just avoided the process. I might call you a vigilante, but not an a**hole

Comfortable_Group924 − This doesn't sound like a healthy relationship.

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OkapiEli − And what are his excuses about “accidentally” taking your expensive camera against your direct refusal and destroying it?. He owes you a camera.

HaveAMorcelOfMyMind − NTA He broke your camera after stealing it. This clearly displays he values you less than he values himself. You wanted him to not take the camera?Well he wanted to take it and what he wants is more important.

You want him to replace the camera he broke? He wants a PlayStation and what he wants is more important. Have some value for yourself, if he insists on associating so little worth to you at least have the self worth to move on.

Parsimonycake − Sure you need a new camera, but the boyfriend's broken too. Time for a new one. NTA

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Walktothebrook − NTA. He stole your camera and then broke it. When you asked for payment he stalled. The bigger question, is this the person you want to be with?

HarryEspeland − ESH two cases of theft, one from each side

saurellia − INFO: how did you get the money? Did you go into his room and take it, was it a joint savings, or what? Leaning towards ESH. He absolutely owes you a camera - he stole yours and broke it - but theft is not the appropriate remedy to theft. Police report and/or small claims court is.

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Kris82868 − NTA. He took it without permission and broke it. Him breaking it was an accident, but taking it wasn't. He is responsible for his accidents. How he can rationalize you should accept your camera is useless because of his actions is beyond me.

MerlinBiggs − NTA. Karma. He took something of yours, you took his money. Him taking your camera was no accident. He still owes you $80.

Redditors mostly backed her, slamming the boyfriend’s theft and stalling as indefensible, though some called her move sneaky. Others questioned the relationship’s health, urging a closer look. Do these takes capture the full picture, or just snap a quick judgment?

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This woman’s grab for her boyfriend’s savings was a bold bid for justice, but it exposed a deeper crack in their trust. His theft of her camera and refusal to make it right sparked her retaliation, turning a fixable fight into a feud. Relationships thrive on respect, not score-settling. What would you do if a partner broke your trust and dodged accountability? Share your thoughts—how do you balance fairness and forgiveness in love?

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