4 Reasons Your 20s Are The Best Time To Stop Taking Money From Your Parents
There are some parents out there who are so well off that they have no problem helping a kid out with a little money and by a little, I mean a lot. We're talking college paid, rent paid, car paid, the list goes on.
Then there are some parents who are semi-struggling themselves, but still work their asses off to make sure you have that life you want. These are the parents who want more for you than what they had. Then there are the parents who work hard and make you work just as hard. Their parents made them work for their own money and now that's exactly what they have you doing.
None of these parenting styles are wrong. Everyone has their own way of handling money when it comes to their kids. But when you're in your 20s, it's probably time to stop taking that money.
1. You need to claim your independence.
Your 20s are a significant time in your life when it comes to gaining your independence. Being able to financially support yourself is huge and it's a goal that you should set for yourself as soon as you initially have a decent paying job. Once you are able to be financially stable, you will find so many other things fall into place.
I'm going to reiterate the fact that independence is important AF in your 20s. If you're borrowing money from your parents or having them pay for all of your bills still, it's not going to happen. Hustle and establish yourself away from your family.
2. Once you do, it's hard to stop.
It's OK to take twenty bucks towards gas every now and then and obviously that Christmas card money is gold, but if you're finding yourself asking your parents for help with rent each month or groceries, you need to cut the ties.
Family members who want to help support you are great, but you don't want to take advantage of tat. Hold your head high and pass on the charity. Do it for them and do it for yourself. They spent your entire life financially supporting you, have the respect for them and the bills they need to take care of. They don't need yours too.
3. They'll respect you more for it.
Once your family knows you're financially stable enough not to take their money, their respect is going to rise, they're going to feel confident that they did their job and they're going to be grateful for you taking on your own financial responsibility so they don't have to.
Most Millennials who don't accept money from their family generally have a healthier relationship with their parents than those who take the money and it makes sense.
4. You don't want them to be able to hold it against you.
The most frustrating thing is when your parents willingly give you money and then throw it in your face. Like, WTF mom. This is something that is all too easy to bring up in a fight and if you're taking it on the reg, it's going to happen. Avoid all of the confrontation off the bat and don't take their money.
Money is something that isn't exactly growing on trees in your 20s, but that doesn't mean that it's OK to take out a big loan from the bank of mom and dad. Learn to work hard and make money for yourself. It's much more empowering to be able to stand on your own versus the feeling of taking your mom's last 20-dollar bill.
Your bank account is as ballin' as you work to make it.
