24-year-old making $125K rebuffs his siblings' request to pay rent while living at home because his 2 teen-parent siblings lived at home for years: 'I was thinking I’d invest like 75k a year.'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Apr 9, 2026 12:30 PM EDT

Why shouldn't he have to pay rent to live at home if his siblings did?

Some Gen Zers believe that the only path to homeownership is living with their parents for all of their twenties, and they might be onto something. If your parents can't gift you enough money to pay for a down payment, and you don't make enough to save up for it in the timeline you desire, living with your parents might be the only way to own a home before you turn 31. 

There are some downsides to living with your parents long after you start working full-time. You don't get the same freedoms you would have living alone. It's much harder to date and start a family of your own if you're still living at home, unless that is the norm in your culture. You might save money, but living at home is anything but free. It costs you your peace, and for many young adults, that is far more valuable than a thousand extra bucks every month. 

If you can afford to save over $6000 a month outside of your living costs, you can afford to leave the nest and live on your own. Even if you decide to get roommates and live below your means, you will feel much more dignified than someone living with their parents and contributing nothing to the household. The 24-year-old in this story feels no shame about living at home for free because his older siblings were teen parents who lived at home. The difference is that they actually paid rent while living at home. 

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  • Man sitting on a sofa with legs crossed
    via Les Taylor

    A 24-year-old man chills in his parents' home, content with paying no rent to live there. 

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

  • Am I the bad guy for pointing out my siblings being being teen parents when they said I'm bumming off our parents?

    I'm 24 and got a job offer last week after I finished school which starts at 125k a year.
    via u/WayyBiggerJaws
  • I'm still living at home, no kids, and my expenses are all just car related and personal expenses mainly.
    via u/WayyBiggerJaws
  • However I had a plan to live at home. rent free and just invest my entire salary basically in dividend stocks until I had enough passive income to live a better life.
    via u/WayyBiggerJaws
  • White and brown modern home with a pool
    via Avi Werde

    An expensive mansion that someone living off passive income can afford.

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

  • I was thinking I'd invest like 75k a year and then live off the rest modestly which would create a good base by time im like 30.
    via u/WayyBiggerJaws
  • Now my parents have no issue with this plan as I've discussed it with them but both my older sister 33f and brother 35m have complained to my parents and told them I should not be off then since they had to pay rent at my age.
    via u/WayyBiggerJaws
  • My rebuttal was that they both had kids in their teens and lived with us until their early 30s, my parents had to help take care of their kids already for over a decade so it was reasonable to charge them rent.
    via u/WayyBiggerJaws
  • Happy grandparents having fun times with grandchildren at home
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A Grandpa taking care of his grandchildren, because 2 of his kids are teen parents who still live at home.

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

  • I'm basically self sufficient and don't cause much work or cost. Now they are upset and saying I said their kids are burdens and making it a big deal so we are not really speaking.
    via u/WayyBiggerJaws
  • But I was never saying that I just said they were more work and cost than I am so they should have paid rents.
    via u/WayyBiggerJaws
  • AITA for this because I feel justified and don't see what I'm doing as bumming, I'm just planning smartly for the future.
    via u/WayyBiggerJaws
  • SnooSuggestions6743 Unless your parents are comfortable financially, I would throw them a few hundred dollars a month to cover utilities
    via u/SnooSuggestions6743
  • WayyBiggerJaws Original Poster's Reply They are comfortable financially, and I do pay the internet bill if that counts as a utility.
    via u/WayyBiggerJaws
  • Foreign-Cow-1189 Your parents not minding doesn't make it the right thing to do. You will be taking from them when it's not necessary for your convenience and benefit. You should move out and then live as frugally as you wish to accomplish your goals without burdening your parents.
    via u/Foreign-Cow-1189
  • WayyBiggerJaws Original Poster's Reply How am I burdening them, they want me to be here and think I should take the opportunity to save while I can.
    via u/WayyBiggerJaws
  • old-lady50 Would it hurt to pay something in rent? Even if it just gives your parents a little play money to go out on date night? You are an adult and sound like a reasonable one, why cause all this conflict for your parents with your siblings when you have the funds to help out and still save quite a bit of money. Also ask your parents to not share details of your finances with your siblings or the details of what you work out with them for rent. Do not share that information with them yoursel
    via u/old-lady50
  • WayyBiggerJaws Original Poster's Reply I'm not against contributing anything, sometimes my dad ask me for money and I will give it to him no strings attached. It's more so I want the opportunity to save as much as I can and they are fine with that.
    via u/WayyBiggerJaws
  • QuirkySyrup55947 Seriously... OP is mooching serious off mom and dad. Just because they can doesn't mean they should.
    via u/QuirkySyrup55947
  • Old-Set78 Your siblings have a different situation than you. But you really should contribute towards the household expenses especially as you can easily afford to do so.
    via u/Old-Set78
  • potentwaze NTJ. If your parents are okay with it, that's really all that matters. You're working and being responsible, not just sitting around. Your situation isn't the same as your siblings', so it's not a fair comparison. It kinda sounds like they're just bothered because their experience was different.
    via u/potentwaze
  • xMoonPearly Yep chipping in a little for bills would make the whole setup look way better.
    via u/xMoonPearly
  • el_payaso_mas_chulo you're an adult, even if they aren't asking you to contribute, you should still contribute. Do house chores still. Buy groceries, cook, etc. Def. throw them some money each month even since I'm sure they pay utilities and everything else. You will feel better about it, trust me.
    via u/el_payaso_mas_chulo
  • Apart-Specialist3478 Pay the rent. You can still save. I'm sure that your parents will give you a family discount so don't be greedy.
    via u/Apart-Specialist3478

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salary kids passive income siblings rent home savings money teen parents parents
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