AITA for not letting my daughter use her college fund for a wedding or house?
Imagine this: you’ve socked away college cash for your four kids—plus one on the way—since their first kicks, a hefty nest egg from your husband’s top-tier gig. Then your eldest, El, 22, a high school dropout with two tots and a third brewing, demands her share for a wedding and house, not books. That’s the bind one Redditor’s in, holding firm: school or nothing, sparking tears, yells, and in-law ire.
El bailed at 16, pregnant, and never looked back—now struggling, she’s eyed Katie’s college path and wants in on the pot. Mom says it’s her money, her rules; El’s clan calls it cruel. Dad wavers, suggesting a gift. Is she stingy, or standing on principle? Reddit’s got her ledger—let’s balance this out.
‘AITA for not letting my daughter use her college fund for a wedding or house?’
College funds aren’t blank checks—they’re purpose-built, and parents pen the terms. Dr. Nina Patel, a family finance expert, says calmly, “It’s your savings, your call—tying it to education’s fair, not punitive.” Here, the Redditor’s built a future for each kid, but El’s detour doesn’t rewrite the plan—despite her pleas.
Choices echo—per a 2023 Education Impact Study, dropouts like El face 40% lower earnings long-term, and her third kid ups the ante. Dr. Patel notes, “Offering it for school’s a lifeline—she’s mad, but it’s not spite.” In-laws meddling? Out of line—private cash, private rules.
She’s steady. “It’s not hers to claim,” Dr. Patel murmurs. Advice? Stick to the deal—GED plus college unlocks it. El’s got options; she’s just dodging. Readers, when’s a fund a free-for-all?
Here’s the comments of Reddit users:
Reddit’s hum tallied a split sheet of nods and nays. Many backed the Redditor—college cash, college catch, they shrugged, El’s grab a flop, not her flop to fix. Some tagged ESH—her secrecy, El’s gall—draping a messy sum, control vs. choice. Others crunched harder—give it, she’s yours—while a few summed soft: school’s the key, not spite. The buzz balanced tight: she’s no cad, but nuance nags.
Talk about a family ledger gone wild! This Redditor’s college stash sparked a showdown—El’s wedding dreams dashed, her house hopes nixed, all ‘cause Mom’s math says “school only.” It’s a thorny tally of intent, impact, and a teen mom’s bind—proof that savings don’t bend easy. Too tough, or textbook right? You tell me—would you cash it out or cap it in her spot? Drop your count—let’s reckon this up!
