'I can't be the bank anymore’: Daughter cancels family phone plan after years of footing the bill for everyone, family members accuse her of selfish behavior

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Nov 6, 2025 3:00 PM EST

I have a confession to make: I am a 27-year-old, married woman, and my mom still pays for my phone plan.

What am I supposed to do? She set it up when I was around 15, along with the rest of the family, and I had no real reason to change it ever since. She always says it doesn't bother her, and in fact, she even claims it's cheaper that way instead of having each member of the family break off to go on their own plan.

That being said, the minute she tells me she either wants me to start paying her or switch to a new plan, I'm game. I am highly appreciative of her, and I don't take that little perk for granted, unlike the family in the story below.

A 31-year-old daughter found herself paying for a family phone plan of 6 lines. Initially, she set up a Google Sheet to track everyone who pays her back every month, but lately, her family members have stopped taking it seriously.

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  • This led her to decide to cancel the family plan and switch to a private plan, so she gave her family a kind notice to get their own plans in order. They were not happy to hear that their free phone plan is coming to an end. Keep scrolling to read the rest.

  • 01
    Woman checks mobile phone
    via indypendenz

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

  • 02

    WIBTA for shutting off the family phone plan after giving everyone 60 days notice

    I am 31F and somehow ended up the owner of our family phone plan. It started when I was 24, dad was laid off, mom's phone was on an ancient flip, my brother was still in community college.
    via argontailor
  • 03
    I put us all on my Verizon account and got the discount. Fast forward and it is 6 lines now.
    via argontailor
  • 04
    Mine, my boyfriend, mom, dad, brother, and my aunt who joined during 2020 because her phone d ed.
    via argontailor
  • 05
    The bill is 188 to 210 depending on taxes. For years I split it out on a Google Sheet and everyone was supposed to Zelle me their share by the 5th.
    via argontailor
  • 06
    In practice mom pays on the dot, dad forgets until a reminder, my brother sends half and then "will top up Friday," and my aunt goes silent for weeks until I call.
    via argontailor
  • 07
    I have eaten late fees twice and my credit card utilization spikes because I float the bill for other people.
    via argontailor
  • 08
    Last month my card got flagged and declined at the grocery store, I stood there with a cart of food and a red face because the phone autopay had just hit again and it tipped me over.
    via argontailor
  • 09
    I sent a nice group text and an email. I wrote that starting October 1 I am moving my number and my boyfriend's number to our own plan, and that I will remove the remaining lines November 1.
    via argontailor
  • 10
    Gave them exact dates, links for porting, and even called Verizon to double check steps for them.
    via argontailor
  • 11
    I offered to do the transfers if they gave me the info. I also explained that I am not angry, I just can't be the bank anymore and it is messing with my budget.
    via argontailor
  • 12
    Immediate reactions. Mom said she understood and asked for help setting her plan, we did it Saturday and it went fine.
    via argontailor
  • 13
    Dad said "wow, harsh," and that he has more important bills right now. My brother said I am sabotaging his job search because recruiters call him, I told him he can keep his number, he just needs to own the line.
    via argontailor
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10571359488
    via DragonImages

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

  • 15
    He replied with three crying laugh emojis. My aunt called my mom crying that I am punishing her when she is "family." She still owes me for July and August, 58 each, I am not chasing it.
    via argontailor
  • 16
    Now my dad is upset and says holidays will be awkward if I cut them off.
    via argontailor
  • 17
    Part of me feels ice cold about it, but also I gave sixty days, multiple reminders, and even tech support.
    via argontailor
  • 18
    WIBTA if I stick to the deadline and let the lines go dark if they have not moved by then.
    via argontailor
  • 19
    Sassy-Peanut You gave them all fair notice and explained your reasons. Instead of guilt tripping you they should feel bad at making you responsible for their bad financial planning. Kudos to Mum though for her response.
    via Sassy-Peanut
  • 20
    TourCold8542 NTA--they're taking advantage of you. Props for setting good boundaries!
    via TourCold8542
  • 21
    Dont-Blame-Me333 NTA shut that atm down & tell them it's their problem to fix. Also say family get togethers wont be a problem because you dont spend time with grifters. Mom is welcome to join you.
    via Dont-Blame-Me333
  • 22
    neroflyer No your family needs to be stepping up and it sounds like it's only your mum. Your brother is useless and your aunt is a freeloader. Your dad needs to setup auto pay so he doesn't S w anyone else around. NTA
    via neroflyer
  • 23
    Hungry_Pup NTA. Hold firm. They'll get over it once they put their big boy/girl pants on.
    via Hungry_Pup
  • 24
    Ishpeming_Native People always love your money. And they will say whatever they think might work if it means getting more of your money.
    via Ishpeming_Native
  • 25
    Icy_Huckleberry_8049 60 days is enough time for them to make other arrangements. If they didn't, that's on them. NTA
    via Icy_Huckleberry_8049
  • 26
    Connect-Thought2029 Parents are supposed to support children, not the other way around. Tell your dad to act like a parent and like an adult
    via Connect-Thought2029
  • 27
    sjm294 Mom here-I'm on my daughter's plan and I auto pay her each month. She has to hound her father, sister, and former brother in law. They all have solid incomes but they can't figure out how to pay her on time. Good on you for taking action
    via sjm294

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family drama aita phone plan kids brother mother siblings phone reddit story parenting aunt family sister Reddit money women parents children Father
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