You could also say he now has to buy his own food and/or chip in for mutual food items like milk and eggs. That is what we do for Star Sister. She can be here rent free, but is in charge of all her other expenses.
4 Likes
I would also like to add that my mom started out by borrowing a couple hundred from me, because I had a good job. But then she felt comfortable asking for more and more, and then she stopped asking altogether and just took it from me while I was sleeping. So I am very biased against parents taking money from their children when they are trying to establish themselves. 20.25 seems like a lot to you, but if he tries to support the whole family on it he will have trouble doing so.
2 Likes
Party at @FatMama’s house, her 18 year old is treating.
3 Likes
I wound up having to put all of the money I had from my job at age 14 into buying groceries as my mom decided that she could cut back spending on essentials like that and buy more weed, cigs, and booze. Part of the reason I never went to college was that I couldn’t save for it. Had to support my mother and myself.
Edit: Have to mention that we had a family discussion with our own 18-year-old this week. She’s living here rent free while working full-time. We’re okay with her putting that $$$ towards school, but I’m not providing free room and board PLUS room service. The lazy wanker can help clean toilets and vacuum, not to mention do her own laundry. OR she can find her own place as we’re certainly not keeping her prisoner. She’s an adult now and can act like it.
3 Likes
man I wish I make that much one day…
This is kind of a tricky tightrope to walk. It is fair to ask a young adult to pay at least part of their expenses. I wouldn’t phrase it as “extra cash” though. I don’t like the idea of kicking kids out at 18 or “hijacking” their paycheck, but I also think it is fair if a parent wants to charge their kid $125 for rent/food expenses.
I guess what I mean is that, in my opinion, it should be a set agreement and the amount doesn’t increase because the parents need more that month.
That’s so great! That’s a lot of money! Congratulations to him! 
My daughter plans on getting a job this summer. We’re super poor but I won’t take her money unless she gives me some to go buy her something. She needs to save up and she can’t if I am taking from her.
That said,I thought of charging her a little something for living expenses, but putting it in the bank for her. She’d know it was hers, but be unable to touch until she moved. This would be a great starter fund.
Now, I plan on having her cover her own bills. Phone, gas, car insurance. Anything else she wants, she has to purchase (eating out, candy, clothes because she likes stuff I can’t afford).
My mother in law charged me and my husband rent and food money when we were starting out. She would always raise it and then ask for more when she ran low on money. We weren’t even eating there but were paying to feed everyone. It took us forever to get enough to leave.
2 Likes
He makes $2400 a month after deductions. All I’m asking is $75 for his phone bill and an extra $125 to help with bills like internet and some groceries. Still leaves him $2200 for his car insurance and gas. Which means he will easily have $1600 a month to use and save.
4 Likes
I think that’s totally fair.
Plus, having three brothers, I know an 18 year old boy will eat his weight in toast in one sitting if you let him.
3 Likes
I think that is more than fair. Nothing wrong with a young adult helping out if they live at home… The amount you are asking to charge for “rent” for a few bills is still 90% cheaper than living on their own and is perfectly reasonable.
2 Likes
@FatMama maybe a better tactic would be to put one of the bills that equals roughly that amount in his name. That way you get relief on your bills, and he gets to build his credit more.
4 Likes
I plan to live with family my whole life, most likely with my parents for a while. But, I also plan on helping out financially and helping them as they get older. I just can’t fathom living by myself.
2 Likes
I was charged rent when I was 19 or 20, it was 150 then it went up 50 per year till I was out.
That was the deal unless I was college.
I was making good money at 21, I remember my dad was hounding me one day , “you need to take the garbage to the dump now, (I had a lot of bags of debris from work plus our lawn grass bags), and he’s like and you still owe rent!”.
Soooo I was like fine don’t bug me about the garbage I’ll do it when im ready, and I gave him like 10 months of rent lol. Ah I was difficult rebellious teen lol.
4 Likes
Ah yes, the type of rebellion where you give your parents money and do chores later on anyways. You rebel like Starlet.
4 Likes
I did another funny one like that when I briefly worked as a bartender part time.
I was like 5 minutes late for the shift and the manager was like “hey your LATE your suppose to be here 15 mins early!”. So I quickly replied “fine take an hour off my pay!” 
3 Likes
@FatMama. Another thing he can do to build his credit is he can get a Small store credit card. Only buy things he can afford to pay cash for. As soon as he makes his credit purchase immediately pay the bill.
1 Like
You may feel differently in the future. Things change and wanting to be out on your own, whether it’s sharing an apartment with a roommate or even just living in some kind of supportive housing, is natural. How you look at things as an adult is different from how you look at things as a teenager.
3 Likes
Things might very well change. Like my dad says, don’t let your present situation dictate the future.
1 Like
I would never ask for more. It’s to cover part of the internet which is very expensive and he uses more than anyone because of playing xbox online. It is also to help with food cost and things like Netflix and other streaming things. Etc etc
2 Likes