'My parents left me with less than nothing': 10+ Millennials open up about what it's like to financially support their parents

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Mar 31, 2026 2:00 PM EDT

It's a common societal perception that children inevitably become a financial burden on their parents, but not enough folks are talking about the reverse scenario. Sure, people love to blame millennials for being too coddled, entitled, and unrealistic about the ways of the world. However, these millennials have an entirely different set of circumstances on their hands, and for once, it isn't exactly easy to argue that this is their fault.

We've covered a plethora of stories about inheritance woes on this site, whether it's grandparents picking favorites in their will or children who have, for one reason or another, gotten themselves axed out of their "rightful" inheritance. Sometimes, the reasons are valid. Other times, someone is just being petty. 

But what about the adults in their 30s and 40s whose parents are nearing the finish line, who can't even imagine having grievances about the amount of inheritance they are receiving? What about the folks who are staying up late at night, panicking about how much debt they are going to be in, rather than how much money they are going to get? 

Instead of shedding light on more of the entitled individuals who expect to receive large sums of money when their family members eventually kick the bucket, let's take a moment to consider the millennials out there who can't even fathom being that entitled. 

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  • An adult man embraces his older mother as they share morning coffee.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    An adult man embraces his older mother as they share morning coffee.

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

  • Inheritance? That's a joke. How many of your parents are burdens?

    In response to another popular post about receiving no inheritance. Are your parents like mine, who not only are not leaving any money behind - but require significant or total financial support?
    via BeegBunga
  • My parents left me less than nothing. They're good people, and they were good parents.... but man are they sit at financial planning.
    via BeegBunga
  • A woman visits her senior father in his home and hands him a present.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    A woman visits her senior father in his home and hands him a present.

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

  • As the social media user who posed this question admitted, financial planning is a huge part of the equation here. Some people prioritize these skills and ensure that they pass these concepts down to their kids at an early age, while other parents find themselves unable to hone that skill. This could be for reasons that are beyond their control, as some folks in the comments section suggested. 

    But there is also something to be said about the assumption that millennials (and, for that matter, members of Gen-Z) are irresponsible with their money. If these stories indicate anything, perhaps it's that financial responsibility is not necessarily tied to a specific generation. It might just be tied to individual circumstances and behaviors. 

    So, in the future, let's avoid blaming the financial instability that millennials and younger folks experience on their own inability to plan financially because there are definitely people from all walks of life who have this problem as well as people who don't.

  • Safe-Tennis-6121 My parents are doing okay, I just have a brother who lives with them who has never worked. That's going to be a problem eventually.
    via BeegBunga
  • BeegBunga Original Poster's Reply >That's going to be a my problem eventually. blessings to you friend
    via BeegBunga
  • closetcreatur Yeah I grew up with a silver spoon in hand. Then in 2008 things started to change and by 2012 my parents had lost their small business, house and vehicles. I was in college then so I wasn't doing a lot to be able to help. Now I employ my mom as a nanny and my Dad unfortuantely had a st during that 2012 area. He gets d y and he's kind of there, e just not the same anymore. Its a real downer for me and my 2 other sibilings but they were great parents just the typical "you're the grea
    via BeegBunga
  • BeegBunga Original Poster's Reply You have learned great lessons. I am with you - the difficulties of my relationship with my parents and money have really stressed what is important in life.
    via BeegBunga
  • Decepti_Con04 They share a house with my sister and her family. They bailed her out 100 times over the years (she is/was a disaster), so the onus will be on her.
    via BeegBunga
  • igotabeefpastry My brother is very religious and he apparently had a personal revelation from God that he should take care of my parents as they age. Got to thank God here because my brother works for big tech and I am just a humble teacher with no money to spare.
    via BeegBunga
  • KOQquest1 Same here with the brother situation.
    via BeegBunga
  • Beeg Bunga Original Poster's Reply Ahhh, the old sibling anchor.
    via BeegBunga
  • An adult man embraces his retired father as they look out the window together.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    An adult man embraces his retired father as they look out the window together.

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

  • Basic_Asparagus_9084 My dad asked to borrow my car so he can meet a hook up. So... that's where I'm at.
    via BeegBunga
  • martiantheory Yeah, my parents blame me for not having a retirement. I love them dearly. But they make very boomer comments sometimes like "I don't get to retire because I took care of you". I'm always thinking, no mom, you bought a new piece of furniture every d a month, for most broke. My of my life. That's why you're f siblings and I have jokes about how much unused furniture my mom has. One day we counted more than 50 different chairs in her house I actually went to therapy to process a lot
    via BeegBunga
  • kosmic_kandy My parents don't have any retirement savings, my brother lives with them but hasn't worked a regular job in about a decade, I try not to think of the outcome because it's not going to be good.
    via BeegBunga
  • Chemical_Ad_55... My dad fleeced me for $150,000 and wants to leave whatever he might have in the end to his girlfriend, while asking me to develop his property for free.
    via BeegBunga
  • buickmccane One parent openly doesn't believe in handing money down, even though she received an inheritance herself. She will spend lavishly on herself until the end. The other parent hopes to leave something, what I am not sure, but he seems genuine about it.
    via BeegBunga
  • If I get something, great. I expect nothing. I'm not bitter either way and have no negative feelings.
    via BeegBunga

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family drama inheritance millennials finances gen z boomers money
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