Is it normal to be giving my teenager salary to pay family's debts?

43% Normal
22 Comments

First of all, I want to say that I want to support my family in everything, even paying debts I have nothing to do with.
But it get's frustrating that I can't get anything for myself and take it with me to adulthood. Also instead of saving the money I earn for college... I feel like my life is being held back with this situation. I am just a selfish moron or is it okay to be worried about my own future?

Voting Results
43% Normal
Based on 47 votes (20 yes)
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Comments ( 22 )
  • Ellenna
    9 years ago

    I feel there's a subtext here we don't know about. Who ran up the debts? Your lazy father or what? Is he gambling?

    Are you staying in this situation out of concern for your mother? If your parents are jointly responsible for the debts, I don't understand why you're still there when you're earning money and could support yourself elsewhere.

    They're not going to starve without you: presumably you mum could at least buy food if she's working so many hours?

    You sound far too nice for your own good.

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    • randomGuyOnTheBoat
      9 years ago

      My father ran up the debts, he's not gambling or anything of that sort, he's lazy but looking for a job. I'm helping both my mother and father I just can't leave them on their own :/
      It's true they won't starve without me, but the bank will keep increasing the debts if not paid in time, so if I leave them they'll gradually sink into deeper shit and someday they'll start loosing property...

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      • Ellenna
        9 years ago

        I hope they appreciate what you're doing for them and that you can see an end in sight to this situation? Even if your father doesn't find work, will the debts reduce in time so that you can shed some or all of this burden? A teenager should be having fun, not propping up her/his parents financially.

        You're a very amazing and unusual person and I guess in that sense not "normal" and they're very lucky to have you. I do hope that way down the line you end up with that property for yourself, you deserve it!

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        • randomGuyOnTheBoat
          9 years ago

          Yes they are appreciating it, as of an end I don't see it, what I'm doing is trying to not let it become worse... so the only end would be my father finding a job I guess.

          I'm not supposed to have fun, I'm 19, and at this point I should seriously think about my future instead. I don't see how I'm an unusual person, I mean who would let down their parents like that? But thank you, thank you!

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          • Ellenna
            9 years ago

            I think you are an exceptional human being and the next time some ageist person whinges on about the selfishness of the younger generation I'm gonnna point them towards your posts.

            Who says you're not supposed to be having fun at 19? Not necessarily irresponsibile immature fun, but enjoyment in your life, not all hard work.

            Take care of yourself and I hope you win a big lottery early in 2015 to solve your family's financial problems

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  • WhiteStallion
    9 years ago

    I think you're a good Samaritan...obviously this isn't your responsibility but whenever my parents worked when they were younger they'd give some of their money to the household. I think you should set some of your salary aside and save. Eventually you'll have a lump sum to spend how you will. Invest a bit of your money as well. As your family debt is huge, try and find out what is adding to it and put a stop to it immediately. Once the payments are over you'll be free. You could also try selling some stuff to pay it off quicker. All the best!

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    • randomGuyOnTheBoat
      9 years ago

      Thanks!

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  • Avant-Garde
    9 years ago

    They got themselves into debt, not you. You shouldn't have to pay them a dime. Are they not working themselves? What they are doing is selfish and terrible. You need to focus on going to college.

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    • randomGuyOnTheBoat
      9 years ago

      My mother works 10 hours a day, my father... well he has no job, he can't find one, he sends all his time on the computer at home :S
      So I don't have a choice. Otherwise we'd starve to death. Luckily we still have a home...

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      • Avant-Garde
        9 years ago

        He should look into working online from home.

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      • reminiscent
        9 years ago

        McDonald's is always looking for people...

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        • randomGuyOnTheBoat
          9 years ago

          I'd like to see them accept a 44 years old man here in Europe...

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          • reminiscent
            9 years ago

            I have seen plenty of old people working at fast food places. He needs tp be putting in applications every day...

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  • reminiscent
    9 years ago

    This doesnt make sense .
    are you giving a teenager salary to pay family dept ...are you the teenager??? Im confused on this part.

    However I can say its ok to be worried about your own future.

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    • randomGuyOnTheBoat
      9 years ago

      Yes I'm the teenager, have finished school last year with great grades and like I said I'm stuck with this, I'm 19.

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      • reminiscent
        9 years ago

        Ok so are people giving you money snd its all going to your family's debts?

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        • randomGuyOnTheBoat
          9 years ago

          Not exactly giving, I have to work, I won't say hard because I'm a programmer, but the thought that I won't see the money I work for to pay the debts, is making it a lot harder.

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          • reminiscent
            9 years ago

            Why do you do this?

            I think im way more selfish then you but I wouldnt let my family take all my money.
            And if my mom needed help she is the kind if person who would pay me back if she borrowed some.

            If you want to help thats nice but why all your money? Why not just some?

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            • randomGuyOnTheBoat
              9 years ago

              Simply because if my family don't pay the debts, those will grow and we'll be in much deeper s***.

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