Frustrated father deducts funds from 19-year-old son's monthly allowance, after he skips required online portion of driver's ed, costing parents $715, further causing family’s new insurance to cost $13 more monthly: 'I'm invoking a natural consequence'

Accountability is something that should be taught at an early age, from when we color on our parents' white walls, to when we arrive home after our set curfew. We learn from early on that actions have consequences, whether that might be getting our crayons taken away or not being allowed to go to Lilabelle's 16th birthday extravaganza! However, it's no surprise that some kids (or in this case, young adults) are better at taking accountability than others…especially when those actions have a negative domino effect on the people around them.

This family decided to switch insurance companies, but among their request, they were asked to provide their 19-year-old son's Driver's Ed Completion Certificate. When the father contacted the company in an attempt to get the certificate, they told him he was not eligible for it, as he didn't complete the online portion! Keep in mind, this cost his parents over $700 to even partake in. His excuse was that it was pointless, an excuse that will now cost his parents an extra $13 a month on their insurance plan. So we wonder what his response will be when they inform him that all those amounts will be deducted straight out of his allowance…Maybe then he'll reconsider the definition of pointless…

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Author image for Emma Saven Emma Saven
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  • The only way to teach someone about responsibility is by giving them something to be responsible for…But when that responsibility quickly becomes vacant, the only way to bring it back to life is by ensuring that they feel the consequences of letting it fade. So whether they're $13 short a month, are forced to pay for a new driver's ed course themselves, or aren't allowed to use the car at all…one of those options will likely have them missing the gift of responsibility: as it is a privilege, not a punishment.  

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    Cheezburger Image 10573071104
    via gettyimages

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

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  • 02

    AITA for docking my son's allowance the amount he made my premium go up?

    I (50M) just switched insurance companies to try and save money because I've instituted a monthly budget to stop our overspending in our family of 5 (48F, 19M, 16F, 13F and 5 cats).
    via Doc_Woody
  • 03
    The new insurance company asked for 19M's Drivers Ed Completion Certificate. I contacted the company who said he cannot get the certificate because he skipped the online portion.
    via Doc_Woody
  • 04
    My son passed the in class and road tests but has an "objection to online drivers ed because it's pointless." I explained that no matter how pointless it feels, it was a term of our contract with them and he broke it, and the result is that my insurance is $13 a month more than it would have been had he completed the course.
    via Doc_Woody
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  • 05
    I still give him an allowance and I've reduced it by that $13 a month because I hold him 100% responsible for not completing his course, which cost $715 by the way.
    via Doc_Woody
  • 06
    Am I the asshole? Am I being petty for nickeling and diming a young man and shaking him down to help pay my bills?
    via Doc_Woody
  • 07
    My other options included just to take him off my policy and forbid him to drive at all, or make him reimburse me the $715 i paid for his drivers ed.
    via Doc_Woody
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    via africa-images

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    I didn't do any of that. I think i'm invoking a natural consequence based on real world impact and not vengeance.
    via Doc_Woody
  • 10
    It's literally one less Mary Browns 3-piece Combo per month.
    via Doc_Woody
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  • 11
    Jesiplayssims Uhm, why is a 19 yr old adult getting an allowance? Unless, is he going to school full time? In this case, he definitely owes the money back, but why are you paying for his insurance at all?
    via Jesiplayssims
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    ironchef8000 You're wrong for considering this "nickeling and diming" or shaking him down. This is called being an adult. He has responsibilities. Privileges cost money. Actions have consequences. NTA by a long shot.
    via ironchef8000
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    rollypollyollyy NTA, i don't think you were harsh enough tbh. I would make him pay his portion of the insurance since he didn't want to finish the required course that ALSO cost money. We all have to do things in life we think are pointless. He's definitely being the AH here.
    via rollypollyollyy
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  • 14
    West_House_2085 ΝΤΑ He's paying tbe consequencs of breaking a deal he made with you leading to higher insuramce costs to YOU. This is directly related to him failing his class. Taking it out of his allowance sounds very reasonable to me! He can at least help for paying to retake the class, too. I think it'll also lower his rates later.
    via West_House_2085
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    rileysauntie NTA. Hello fellow Newfoundlander lol. I laughed out loud at "one less Mary Browns 3-piece combo per month".
    via rileysauntie
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    Amarubi007 NTA. Technically he is an adult, and doesn't need an allowance unless he is in collage. You gave him.a real consequences due to his behavior. Once he is employed, his employer may require online training. Not completing it may lead to bigger consequences.
    via Amarubi007
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    Cheezburger Image 10573071616
    via karola-g

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

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    Mrminecrafthimself My parents stopped paying us allowance when we got our driver's licenses. The expectation was that if we were old enough to drive, we were old enough to have a part time job. Honestly having a job provided us freedom because we had more cash than we would've on an allowance, and we had vehicles so we could drive to do things with friends. NTA - I wouldn't be paying him an allowance at all. He should have his own insurance anyway
    via Mrminecrafthimself
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    NTA indicatprincess He can do a what, 5-9 hour course and be done with it and learn something....or he can pay for breaking the deal. I'd cut the allowance. It's probably not in the budget, and it's probably bets for him to start paying his own bills. He'd appreciate money more if he was wasting his own money
    via indicatprincess
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  • 20
    Zueter Giving a 19 year old an allowance is the real reason your son is acting like an entitled child. Because you are treating him like an entitled child. Honesty, shame on you for not raising an adult
    via Zueter
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    27 Aces Your adult son gets an allowance? How about you stop giving him an allowance and he won't make stupid independent decisions. The young man is nickel and dimeing you, not the other way around.
    via 27Aces
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    MrsClaus 1022 I would tell your baby boy to get a freakin job. He's 19 not 11. Come on dude. Over 13$? Why is he getting an allowance as an adult? Be so for real right now. He can pay his own insurance in full like a grown ass man.
    via MrsClaus1022
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  • 23
    NTA. nwood 1973 If it were me, I would have presented the options to him 1) Pay the extra premium 2) Repay the drivers ed as he didn't finish it 3) Not drive any of your vehicles I am quite sure he will either take the remaining drivers ed or pay the $13!
    via nwood1973
  • 24
    ShenDraeg A 19 year-old with an allowance? Make him get a job to pay for what he owes.
    via ShenDraeg

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