Current Events > No such thing as a free lunch: Why parents should charge their children board

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http://www.smh.com.au/money/planning/why-you-should-be-charging-your-kids-board-20171231-h0bwwj.html

It's the question most parents ask themselves at some point: Should I charge my adult working children board or allow them to live at home free so they can accumulate savings?

Cassandra Fitzpatrick, a Sydney mother of three children aged 22 to 26, started charging board when her children got full-time jobs.

"All three have always been taught that it's a given to contribute to the home. There was no pocket money for chores. Chores were a part of family life and so was contributing to the costs of living, such as board. They pay for their toiletries. If they go to the shops and buy milk or bread, they never expected the money," she says.

Fitzpatrick says she doesn't need her children to pay board for financial reasons, it's about teaching them principles to live by.

"As young adults able to vote and have a drink, becoming responsible for themselves is a reality better [learned] soon than later," she says.

Cassandra's son, 22-year-old Marcus, says paying board has made him more responsible when dealing with his funds and knowing how to budget his money.

"I have been on four overseas [trips] without my parents, all of which I paid for. I pay for my own car, phone, internet, laptop and much more. I know people my age who have only recently started working and their parents still buy them most of the items they own and consistently hand out money. It's not that my parents are being stingy or tight asses, it's them making me responsible and getting me ready for adulthood," Marcus says.

What say you CE?
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I would understand a parent charging their children some type of rent, like paying the bills helping with the mortgage etc. but if they are profiting off their kids than thats a kinda scummy parent

CruelBuffalo posted...

I would understand a parent charging their children some type of rent, like paying the bills helping with the mortgage etc. but if they are profiting off their kids than thats a kinda scummy parent

What if they cook their dinner for them?
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I was always told I could stay at home as long as I was in school or saving for a down payment. I kept up my end of the bargain and moved out 8 months after I graduated (when I bought my first place).
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I think it's up to the parents and not anyone else's business.
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JustMonika posted...

I think it's up to the parents and not anyone else's business.

It is up to them but TC asked our opinion on it and we are giving jt

Not that's dumb, just because they are an adult doesn't mean they don't need help. Why have a kid if you are just gonna abandon them after age 18?
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Paper_Okami posted...

Not that's dumb, just because they are an adult doesn't mean they don't need help. Why have a kid if you are just gonna abandon them after age 18?

Couldn't you say that in regards to the parents too?
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I mean, I think that would depend on each family's unique situation. Sometimes their children need some extra help. Sometimes their children are taking advantage of their kindness. Sometimes a family has the resources to provide for a longer period of time. Sometimes they don't. I certainly wouldn't want to dictate how the family is to run themselves.

Depends on the person. Some people need to feel the sting and others dont...usually the dont's are already out unless they're saving money to move out
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It's different for each family I'm 100% sure.

That said I started paying 300 a month at 17 1/2 lol. Partially because it's what we did with my older sister and partially because my moms needed help at the time since it was just her and I.

TBH the way I view it, if you can mitigate them having to waste money on renting (especially in places like California) then you probably should.

The rest comes down to what you teach your children about handling money responsibility and saving and shit. Ideally that makes more sense then trying to instill values through charging for the hell of it.

To each their own though
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Makes sense as long as they have a job. But if that's the case there shouldn't be any non-house rules (curfew, etc.).
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Pretty sure anyone who votes "No" is currently living with their parents for free.
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Depends on the kid. If they are 100% focused and succeeding in school, no.

If they are kind of just floating aimlessly while they try to find out what they want to do with their lives (like i was), yes.

Having real bills and no safety net was the only thing that urged my lazy ass to get my life going.
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My dad said as long as Im in school or right after I graduate I have a year. During those times, in my breaks or on weekends I can be home whenever and for as long as I want
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Ive read about some parents doing that but then putting the money away in a savings account and then giving it to the kid when they moved out. I like that idea. I wouldnt have them pay rent just to pay it though.

I say no, unless the kid is a lazy piece of shit with no goal in life
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If you're over 18 and have some sort of income and are using internet/utilities, pay your share