Recent college graduate gets job while living with parents, protests when they demand most of his income: 'I'm cutting everything I can'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Dec 27, 2025 9:00 PM EST

In those awkward post-college transition years, most graduates want as much help as they can get. 

Unfortunately, it is not always forthcoming. Finally finishing their education is typically the point at which people have to make the unpleasant adjustment of making it in the so-called real world. It is never easy to realize that it doesn't get that much easier just because you have a couple of fancy pieces of paper.

As if that wasn't enough, the expectation that you are at last ready to become a responsible adult trickles down to your family, and that relationship can undergo so uncomfortable changes as a result. It isn't an unreasonable assumption, as we all have to grow up someday. 

However, the ways in which parents and other family members choose to communicate this new worldview can sometimes hold people back instead of allowing them to prosper. It might be fair that a working individual contributes financially to the household, but they shouldn't feel like they can't afford to live their life because of it. There is a balance between encouraging independence and making somebody's life miserable. A lot of parents do not get it right when it comes to their young adult kids.

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  • 01
    a young man in a white t-shirt stands in a warehouse, holding bags in each hand
    via John Fornander

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

  • In this story, a recent college graduate felt like he was struggling because of the financial demands that his parents were placing on him as he tried to save money to move out. Still looking for a better job, he had accepted some lower-paid work to have an income right out of college. This led his parents to immediately cut off any financial support, expecting him to rent, food, essentials, and also hand over a chunk of his income on top of that.

    He felt that these measures were excessive because he was trying to save money, and it was affecting his ability to live even a basic lifestyle. He wanted to find a way out.

  • 02

    I graduated and suddenly I 'owe' my parents rent plus most of my income

    I just graduated college and I still have not landed a solid offer yet, so I picked up a job just to stay busy and build a little cushion. But it feels like graduation flipped a switch at home. My parents basically stopped helping overnight and started keeping score. Now they
    via RepulsivePurchase257
  • 03
    want rent even though I'm living at home, I'm paying for my own food and basics, and on top of that they expect me to hand over a big chunk of my paycheck. Their line is that they raised me, so I "owe" them.
    via RepulsivePurchase257
  • 04
    a man counts dollar bills in his wallet above a coffee table with a laptop and a globe on it
    via Artem Beliaikin

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

  • 05
    It makes me feel angry and stuck, because I do not make much and I'm trying to save to move out, but my cash keeps getting pulled away. I'm cutting everything I can. For essentials I'll try one of those help me lower the price promos on tiktok and chip away at the price with a couple taps, just to pay less for stuff I already need like toothpaste, toilet paper, and laundry detergent. And yeah, I hate admitting
    via RepulsivePurchase257
  • 06
    this, but sometimes I'll quietly use a little of my parents' stuff when they are not looking because I'm that broke right now. It feels so messed up. Has anyone dealt with parents treating you like an ATM? How do you set boundaries without blowing everything up? This whole thing is giving me the ick.
    via RepulsivePurchase257
  • 07
    a crowded kitchen counter at night with the lights turned off
    via Mervyn
  • 08
    river-running Rent is a valid request, but asking for money as a refund for raising you is absurd. I would pay the rent/utilities if it's reasonable, refuse any additional payments, and start looking to move ASAP. If they decide to evict you you'll have a month or two, but do your best to not let it get to that point, as an eviction on your record makes renting a lot harder.
    via river-running
  • 09
    blackcat218 Get a second account. Have 80% of your wages put there. Tell them your hours got cut. Make like you are just going to the library or something instead of going to work. Save money, get out, cut contact with them. But 100% important here. Do NOT allow them access to your bank accounts. EVER
    via blackcat218
  • 10
    WomanInQuestion Children never, ever owe their parents for being raised. The parents chose to birth you and take on the legal, moral, and ethical obligations of feeding, clothing, housing, educating, and caring for you. THEY made that choice on their own.
    via WomanInQuestion
  • 11
    ShaneVis You don't "owe" your parents anything. Explain to them that if they think they are owed for raising you, then they should never have had children to start with, and you're not their cash COW.
    via ShaneVis
  • 12
    MrsMelodyPond The hive mind in this comment section is insane to the point that this comment will probably be deleted but I don't care. The only line in your entire post that people are hanging on is that your parent told you owe them for raising you. However, the content of your post seems to signal that you have either misunderstood their argument or are assigning words they never used. People who think their kids owe them for the simple act of raising them do not cover the bills through COLLE
    via MrsMelodyPond
  • 13
    Violet351 Rent money is pretty standard once you have a job but not paying them back for raising you
    via Violet351
  • 14
    Careful-Self-457 Rent and utilities you should be paying. You are a grown up now. If you do not like it you can always find your own place.
    via Careful-Self457
  • 15
    UmbreonUmbrella The only way is to move out. I think they are probably doing this to get you to move out. I'm sure they want to have their home to themselves after 20+ years of having a kid in their lives. They probably don't want to hurt your feelings and don't know how to express their need to live in their own.
    via UmbreonUmbrella
  • 16
    2mankyh okers You don't owe them a penny for raising you as a child, but you owe them rent/board from now, welcome to adulthood your freeride stops here!
    via 2manyhokers
  • 17
    Huge Wealth7948 Looks like mom & dad are saying have the life you created
    via Huge_Wealth7948

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broke entitled parents graduation job parenting rent money parents
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