Entitled aunt demands teenage nephew uses paycheck towards cousin's college fees after refusing to let him stay with her as he studies: 'I know that my aunt has a substantially larger salary than I do'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Aug 18, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

There is nothing in this world that makes people show their true colors faster than the opportunity to earn some money. When it is out here making or breaking relationships and lives like this, it is hard to ignore the logic that it is what makes the world go round, and as a result, a shocking amount of the population will overlook basic decency for access to more of it.

This includes pressuring family members into divvying up their assets, whether that be some kind of inheritance or a basic salary. In fact, financial conflict is probably one of the most common sources of discord between relatives, usually because somebody wants a piece of somebody else's pie while offering little in return. 

When you are the individual dealing with these kinds of pressures, it can prove difficult to put your foot down and maintain the kind of boundaries that keep your money safe. More often than not, this is not going to make some people happy. 

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  • 01
    a woman wearing a white shirt sits on the sofa, holding a mobile phone
    via Karolina Grabowska (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • In this story, one young person faced exactly this challenge after acquiring a better-paying job to help with his rent and save up for his college education. As was cultural custom where he was from, he had given his first paycheck to his parents, news which his mom had then shared with the family group chat.

    Following this, his aunt made contact with him and demanded that he use some of his paycheck to help pay for his cousin to go through college, too. He refused, on the grounds that it was an unreasonable request, and she had also refused to let him stay with her as he attended an international school far from his parents' home. He wanted to vent about the experience.

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    Aunt tells me that my paycheck should go towards her sons college fees when she didn't let me stay at her house in order to attend school

    I got a job around 3 months ago. It's my first proper job that doesn't happen to be in a fast food restaurant (no hate). This was to pay for my rent and save up for uni (I live away from my parents because I go to an international school in another city. As per customs in the country I live in and to show gratitude, I gifted my first paycheck to my parents. It wasn't much but I could see that they appreciated it and we were all happy. This lasted for 10 minutes. My mother then decided to go on t
    via Ok_Training_8198
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    I then get a call from my aunt, who then proceeds to ask me about the details of my job, which seems fishy considering she hasn't really given a sh about my existence until 2 seconds after that text message is sent. She then explains that her son (my cousin) who goes to the same school and is in my grade is going to college (no sh) and that I, as a person with a source of income and as a family members, should pay part of his school fees using my next paycheck as I am part of the family and I sh
    via Ok_Training_8198
  • 04
    a teenage boy stands outside in an orange shirt
    via Jordan González

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 05
    For the record, I know that my aunt has a substantially larger salary than I do but i guess she doesn't care to spend a dime of it on something that doesn't benefit her. For the record, I know my aunt has a substantially larger salary than I do, but it seems she doesn't want to spend any of it on things that don't benefit her. Additionally, when I got into this school, my mother called my aunt to ask if I could stay with her until I graduated, but she refused, saying they didn't have space. Inst
    via Ok_Training_8198
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    My aunt went on about how hard my cousin "worked" to get into college and insisted that I should have some sympathy for him. Honestly, I don't feel any sympathy for a kid who stays out all night and barely puts in the effort at school. With the little patience I had left, I politely reminded her that most of my salary goes to my own basic needs, such as paying rent and buying food, as well as saving up for MY tuition fees, to which she rudely responded with "if you can do that, you should be abl
    via Ok_Training_8198
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    on her out of frustration. Later I get a call from my mother asking why her sister was complaining about me. I explained my end of the story and now she has blocked my aunt as well. My aunt realised this and has been pestering other relatives to help cover the fees and guilt tripping/shaming those who don't "donate" and is probably ranting in the family chat as I am writing this.
    via Ok_Training_8198
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    the corner of a blank american check
    via Money Knack
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    Commenters were astounded at the aunt's level of entitlement.

    Disastrous-Advice732 Your mother should suggest that just like you he can find a job and support himself!
    via Disastrous-Advice732
  • 10
    Sparky1919 And cousin doesn't even have to pay rent I bet
    via Sparky1919
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    OutlawCheese42 1- Congrats on the job and good luck with college. 2- your aunt is nuts if she's thinks that you or anyone else should contribute to her kid's education fees. 3- you handled that very well, and are definitely not the AH in this. Your aunt is.
    via OutlawCheese42
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    SnooFloofs 1169 nta your aunt is insane
    via SnooFloofs1169
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    Gemfyre1 You should have asked how much she will be contributing to YOUR fees. Since you guys are so tight knit and all.
    via Gemfyre1
  • 14
    juanredshirt NTA. Tell your aunt, "If I can get a job to pay my expenses, your son is perfectly capable of doing the same thing." In the family chat: "It's such a shame that parents who have the means to pay for their children's education are unwilling to do so an demand that family pays, I'm sorry, "donate" to help..."
    via juanredshirt
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    Interesting-Sock3794 That's a big ask from someone who wouldn't let her own nephew stay in her home for school and that hasn't contributed to your school costs.
    via Interesting-Sock3794
  • 16
    lapsteelguitar Maintain your boundaries.
    via lapsteelguitar
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    Excellent_Ad1132 Any relative that gives you any cr_ p about it, just tell them that they are free to donate all the money they want to aunt's kid. Mention that you would consider it a waste, since it would be a miracle if he ends up even graduating from college.
    via Excellent_Ad1132
  • 18
    Jen5872 Next thing you know she'll want her son to live with you. Good job on hanging up on her.
    via Jen5872
  • 19
    Careless-Image-885 Just block aunt, cousin and anyone who agrees with them. You owe them nothing. He can get a job as well. You've already fulfilled your obligation by giving your first paycheck to your parents.
    via Careless-Image-885
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    Mamamagpie My response would have been: "Dear Auntie my response to your request for support is identical to your response to my request. No. I need my paycheck to cover my rent, because you said I could not stay with you."
    via Mamamagpie
  • 21
    Either Coconut Your aunt is out of her mind. I'm glad your mother has your back on this topic, and I hope the rest of the family in the chat tells your aunt she's way out of line. Tell her that if your cousin has an up-to-date resume, you can send him links to apply for a job at your place of employment. Oh, and if Auntie Dearest suddenly decides that her kid should live with you in your flat to save on expenses, because family helps family, tell her there's no room.
    via Either_Coconut
  • 22
    kiwimuz Your aunt is a leech and is after anyone with money to leech off. Your cousin could get a job too so he can save up for college himself. I suspect he takes after your aunt and is a leech too so actually working may be too much for him.
    via kiwimuz
  • 23
    HRDBMW I would agree with the aunt, and offer to contribute every single dollar she saved you on rent and meals while you were in university. Maybe double that in gratitude for her help.
    via HRDBMW

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salary nephews family drama school job teenagers aunt family entitled people reddit thread Reddit savings
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