Re: Parents who charge rent

I think it is a great idea. When I moved home after I graduated college (paid for by Mom and Dad), I was charged rent and it taught me to manage my money better and is a valuable lesson in responsibility and adulthood. Life is not a free ride. This is the reason why my mother said I had to pay rent. I paid nowhere near real rent (a couple of hundred) and my parents ended up giving the money back to me when I got married. BTW, both my parents also paid rent once they graduated high school and were working.

Message edited 6/4/2007 1:38:06 PM.

Re: Parents who charge rent

I don't think there is anything wrong with it although my parents would never take a dime from me.
DH and I were staying with them when our lease ran out and we were still looking for a house and now are still living there while we are renovating the house... If I tried to give them any money they would say I was crazy. We try to pay for dinners sometimes..

Re: Parents who charge rent

my parents would never take a dime from any of us - AND - i am moving upstairs after we get married and they STILL refuse to take money

I suggested it to my father once and he was so disgusted he walked out of the room

However, since we were the last people on earth to get cable - my brother and I got it and now I pay for the cable and cable modem in my house. . . .it's not much and the only reason my dad was not able to switch it to his name ( he tried) was bc i put a password on the account, lol.

i think it depends on how you were raised - my parents' friends all paid for their kids' entire weddings AND first homes - since my parents are not financially able to do that ( not that i would expect them to ) this is how they choose to help us out!

Message edited 6/4/2007 1:16:50 PM.

Re: Parents who charge rent

I started paying rent and 1 household bill a month the moment I started working...at the time..hated my mom for doing...now I thank her...its the reason why I am so responsible when it comes to money. Unlike my brother and sister(who weren't given responsibilties) that are in and out holes that they have to be saved from all the time. And they feel like its their right to take and take!

Re: Parents who charge rent

I think it totally depends on the circumstances. If the kid just graduated college and is responsible and in the process of looking for a job / apartment / etc. or is saving up to afford to move out, then it probably isn't necessary.

At the same time, I have friends who are 30 years old who have never lived on their own and never paid rent in their life. They need a wake up call.