Hi. I’m F23. I turn 24 this year and my boyfriend just turned 28. I’m quite broke right now and I just work a regular retail job. I live paycheck to paycheck and he knows this. Even so, I wanted to make sure I could get him gifts- I also got his son some gifts too, nothing too crazy just a few items. He’d complained that none of his past lovers got him anything for special occasions so I thought that me getting him anything would make him happy. He didn’t ask for anything and when I asked if he wanted something he never said anything specific. I could only afford about $200 worth of gifts. He spent maybe around the same on me, probably closer to $300 but I still don’t have some of the gifts as shipping is crazy still.

Today I asked him how’d he felt about his gifts he said that they were minimal… it really hurt my feelings. I wish I had more money to do more and I just.. don’t. I’m broke, I’m trying to survive and I did the best I could do. I feel really embarrassed now and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to comfortably buy him anything for fear that it won’t be enough. I feel like shit and I don’t know what’s to do. He has apologized but I still feel like shit. Any broke girlfriends out there?

Tl;dr: Boyfriend is aware that I’m broke but isn’t satisfied with the gifts that I got him. Feelings are hurt, how do I move forward?

EDIT: whew okay I didn’t expect all this attention. he’s been dumped, thanks for the input guys😅