When I left school at 15, my parents told me I had to start paying board, $50 a week, they still fed me, but I bought all my own toiletries, clothes, etc.
then when my BF moved in when I was 18, he also paid $50 a week and we contributed 3 monthly to the electricity bills, phone bills etc.
TBH I never begrudged my parents this, but that being said, my brother moved back in with his GF in while they were building their second home, my parents never asked them for a cent! was not happy about that!
Also I still have 2 brothers living at my parents house, (25, 23) one of whom has no job and never pays a cent either, its really not fair, but trying to get money out of him is like trying to get blood from a stone.
In my situation I think it was totally fair, seeing as I left school, got a job, (against their wishes) If I had stayed at school, I doubt they would have asked me for money, unless it was to contribute towards a high bill.
I dont see a problem with expecting family members who are working to contribute in some way towards the running of a household that they live in, as previous posters have mentioned, it does set you up to learn how to survive in the "real world".
I definitely think it is a good idea, we always paid my parents something once we were working and still at home. It varied depending on how much we earnt. So my sister who was at uni and just doing part time work may have only paid $50 a fortnight, while I was working fulltime and paying $150 a fortnight. I also think it is important that even if kids pay board, they are still responsible for some of the jobs around the house, otherwise they can see it as a bit of a 'hotel'.
When I left school and started working full time, I had to pay board to my parents. If I wanted my room cleaned, my washing done etc I had to pay my mum to do it for me or do it myself. If I was to stay in study I wouldn't have had to pay board. We will be doing the same thing for our children.
When I left high school I paid my parents rent. I can't remember how much it was but it wasn't much maybe $50 a week. When I finished TAFE and started working full time I paid them more.
Slightly OT but while I still lived at home, my dad loaned me small amount of money for my car (I had saved all but a few thousand for it) and I had to repay that loan with interest.
When I was in 6th year (year 12 equivalent) I had to do all my own laundry, and cook a family meal once a week, Once I left school and got a job I had to pay rent, whilst still continuing to do my own laundry, cook meals and contribute to household chores.
My husband on the other hand had to pay his folks rent but got all his cooking, cleaning and laundry done for him. Even when he moved out, his mum would do his washing and clean his kitchen any chance she got. Personally I feel this is a really poor example and thankfully DH agrees with me so our kids will be contributing to the household chores, as well as paying a nominal rent once they are earning full term (or claiming benefits, but hopefully that will not happen). I do not intend to run around after anyone in this household once they are old enough to do it themselves
was not happy about that!
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