'I didn't sign up to be their retirement plan': 19-year-old's parents demand she pays them 30% of her paycheck every month to reimburse them 'because they raised her', she refuses and gets deemed ungrateful

Author image for Jesse Kessenheimer
Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Apr 16, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

Raising a child has terrible ROI!—but most enthusiastic parents realize that when they decide to start a family. However, over the years and after all the bills racked up, this entitled pair of parents decided they wanted to get their money back from their 19-year-old daughter. After putting herself through college—taking out student loans and working her way through school—she got a decent job. Enjoying her newfound financial freedom, the girl was shocked when her parents decided it was their turn to cash in on their daughter's success. 

Apparently it was their turn to ride the gravy train.

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  • Cashing in on your kid's future seems like a selfish way to try and bankroll your retirement, but these audacious parents demanded their daughter pay up 30% of her paycheck every month to cover their bills. Perhaps they're forgetting that a parent is legally financially responsible for their child until their 18th birthday, but after that, it's going to be a quick goodbye if you start turning the tables on them…

    Read on for the entire story and the snarky comebacks in the comments that'll leave these bad parents with their jaw dropped. 

  • "I'm not an INVESTMENT, I'm your daughter"
    via RDNE Stock

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "My Parents Think I Owe Them My Paycheck Because They Raised Me"

    I (19F) just landed my first full- time job after college. It's not glamorous, but it pays decently and I've finally been able to move out. I was so proud of myself until my parents found out how much I make.
    via asianlinaa
  • Out of nowhere, they started hinting that I should "give back" and help them with their bills. At first, I didn't mind helping out here and there. I paid for their
    via asianlinaa
  • internet one month and sent groceries another time. But then it escalated. Last week, my mom called me crying because I didn't send money for her "monthly support."
    via asianlinaa
  • I was confused. She told me that since they raised me, I "owe them a return on their investment." My dad then texted me a breakdown of how much they "spent raising me" and suggested a monthly repayment plan. I thought he was joking. He wasn't.
    via asianlinaa
  • They both keep saying, "If it wasn't for us, you wouldn't be where you are." True but does that mean I now owe them 30% of my paycheck every month for the next few years?
    via asianlinaa
  • Cheezburger Image 10494239744
    via Nicolas Menijes

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • I love my parents, but I worked hard to be financially independent. I have my own rent, student loans, and savings goals. I feel guilty, but also angry. I didn't sign up to be their retirement plan.
    via asianlinaa
  • Has anyone else dealt with this? How do you set boundaries without feeling like the "ungrateful child"?
    via asianlinaa
  • DietMtn DewHead Ask them how much they paid back to their parents.
    via DietMtnDewHead
  • parkesc "I'm not an INVESTMENT, I'm your daughter. I won't be paying you back for existing."
    via parkesc
  • miflordelicata Raising you is the bare minimum that they have to do when THEY decided to have a kid. Tell them to kick rocks.
    via miflordelicata
  • lb2345. You didn't ask to be born. They chose to bring you into this world, they were legally obligated then to raise and care for you, including financially. I've seen sh like this before - it's such BS. Go live your life and thrive without guilt or remorse!
    via lb2345
  • Ruby Tx You are their child, not an investment. Not their retirement plan. From your user name, I'm guessing there is a cultural component to their expectation?
    via RubyTx
  • They raised you, yes. That was their basic obligation for... wait for it... having a child. You do not owe them tithing or a ROI.
    via RubyTx
  • Skarvha They are legally mandated to provide for you between the years of 0 and 18. You are not required to pay back anything. Your parents are manipulating you with guilt to try to get money out of you. Ignore all attempts and make sure they aren't on any bank accounts of yours.
    via Skarvha
  • magickpendejo ⚫ Tell them you will match whatever they send to their parents
    via magickpendejo
  • nottryingtobe_cool Collect all your legal documents, change your bank accounts, move far away and block them. You don't owe them a cent. This is manipulation
    via nottryingtobe_cool
  • Fearless_Coconut_810. Skip the middle man and just start sending your grandparents money
    via Fearless_Coconut_810
  • Tiny_Act5987 Parents that have kids so they can take care of them are garbage. Going forward you cannot tell them anything related to money. Do not tell them you have money. Do not tell them you
    via Tiny_Act5987
  • bought a new tv. Actually do the opposite. Complain about money problems even if you do not have them. Say you lost your job. The new ones does pay as much.
    via Tiny_Act5987
  • This of course is if you want to remain in contact. Which is something you do not have to do if you don't want to. You owe them absolutely nothing.
    via Tiny_Act5987

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family drama dads famiies drama kids brother siblings reimburse moms parenting pay back pay dad story family sibling sister stories payment parent payback mom cousins parents
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