independent women!!

im so happily surprised to see that many of you lived on your own before marriage. Many of my friends are in their late twenties/early thirties and still living home. IMO ..unless your serioulsy struggling.. i think they should leave the nest...

Re: independent women!!

If my dad didn't want to leave the state, I wouldn't have moved out when I did. It was a learning experience although I can't say renting is so great. If I had the chance I would have stayed home and saved money to buy a condo. DH and I just bought our first house in June 05 and it was a struggle paying rent, paying for our wedding and saving for the down payment.

Re: independent women!!

I agree that it's a great experience to leave the nest. I wish I had done it earlier & had more years on my own.

Re: independent women!!

Living on my own was one of the best things l ever did for myself. I struggled in the beginning but I learned how to take care of myself and be truly independent. It also gave me a great sense of self and I learned to actually enjoy being alone. I love living with DH but I think being on my own made me a much better person.

Re: independent women!!

Re: independent women!!

Re: independent women!!

I have a few cousins who recently graduated college in the last few years and I told them that they must live on their own before they get married even if it's for a year. I also told them not to marry anyone who never lived on their own.

Before I get flamed, there's nothing wrong with living at home. I just think that it's a great chance for an individual (male or female) to understand how to manage finances, take care of themselves, etc.....

Re: independent women!!

Message edited 3/15/2006 6:10:59 AM.

Re: independent women!!

I have to agree with Jen.
I lived home till I was 24, my wedding day.
I stayed home to save money to pay for my wedding and dh and I could not see "wasting' money on rent, when, it could be put toward a house in the future.
We had the wedding of our dreams and we have a house as well.
I do think also, it is a personal choice.
Does not mean I wasnt independent. I paid my bills, had my chores, in other words, had to help my parents out while I was still there.

Re: independent women!!

I have been supporting myself completely since 23, it is great and I felt I really "grew up" in these years... however, I don't think it is bad to still live with your parents, granted that you help out with the household expenses (utilities, food, misc.. etc), even though I don't live with my parents anymore and have a pretty big financial responsibilities to uphold (our house).. I still routinely give my parents a set amount of $ each month. I will never be able to repay them, but it's a start

Re: independent women!!

I loved having the opportunity to live on my own, live with friends and live in various areas around the country.

Re: independent women!!

Re: independent women!!

I'm tossed on this. I moved out when I was 21, but that was from upstate down here to LI. It was a decision I made. When living at home I still paid "rent". I would give my Mom money towards bills, etc. I was working full time, etc.
Part of me is a little jealous of those that can stay at home for so long and part of me is completely not. I loved the responsibility and NEVER asked my parents for help to pay the rent even when I was unemployed for 8 mths. I will say though that most of the people I know that has stayed at home for so long are able to afford a home. Unfortunately DH and I can't. We not only paid for the wedding 100% on our own, but we both have lived on our own for so long that it's nearly impossible to save for a down payment. Now I'm also not saying that those that stay at home are necessarily saving. I know of two adults close to our age that are still living at home and spend money on either designer clothes or electronic gadgets...makes me wonder when they'll leave the nest and if they'll be able to handle it in the real world or if their parents are going to bail them out all the time.