AITA for being upset that my parents are taking 70% of my paycheck?

Shirley Stafford Hours
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Imagine being 17, juggling AP classes, a job, and a mountain of chores, only to see your hard-earned paycheck vanish into your parents’ hands. A teenage girl, dreaming of college, finds herself squeezed dry—her parents demand 70% of her wages for bills and rides to work, leaving her with pocket change and no savings. In a home buzzing with responsibilities, her frustration simmers as she questions whether “real life” lessons should feel this punishing.

This tale unfolds in a modest household, where the hum of a dishwasher mixes with the weight of expectation. The girl’s parents, comfortably covering bills, insist she pays for rides they won’t let her replace with a cheaper bus. Her college fund? Nonexistent. As she navigates this financial tug-of-war, her story sparks a debate about fairness, family, and the cost of growing up.

‘AITA for being upset that my parents are taking 70% of my paycheck?’

I (f17) recently got a job after 6 months of job hunting. Bc parents did not want to pay the 300$ driver's lessons, I cannot get my license to drive myself to work, and my job is 15 min away from home. Since they have to drive me, they charge 7.50$ each ride there and back.

However, the bus is way cheaper, but they do not let me take it because I am a girl on public transportation, so I am forced to pay the 15$ to get to work and back. This amounts to 150$ every 2 weeks. Not only that, but my parents also expect me to pay 1/3 of the electricity bill, water, food, and to pay for my phone.

I am trying to save up for college next year, where I have 0$ saved up because my parents will not be helping me in any way. I still have daily + weekly chores I have to maintain around the house (caring for pets, daily dishes, laundry, cleaning the bathroom, helping babysit little sister for no $).

I get that I have to pay to earn my place in the house, but from my 450$ paycheck, I only get to pocket about 100$. Anytime I express frustration about this situation, I am told this is real life and they have to prepare me. However, I do feel responsible and ready for real life.

I sucessfully maintain my workload of 5 AP classes, a college class, work, and being the only one maintaining the house. I feel as though I do enough to earn my place and to earn a roof over my head. And considering how I am saving up for college, I feel as though they are not helping me with these life lessons.

They hurting me financially in the long run. Also, my family is not extremely poor, they are easily able to pay the bills without my assistance. And I will not be allowed to stay home while in college, so I really do need the money.. So Reddit, AITA for being upset 70% of my paycheck is going to my parents?

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This teen’s plight is a stark lesson in family dynamics gone awry. Her parents’ claim of teaching “real life” feels more like financial overreach, especially since they can cover bills without her help. Charging $15 daily for rides—when a bus is cheaper and viable—adds insult to injury for a minor with college dreams.

Dr. Laurence Steinberg, a psychologist specializing in adolescence, notes in The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting (source), “Supportive parenting fosters independence, not dependence.” A 2022 study from the Journal of Family Issues (source) shows 84% of teens contributing to household expenses feel pressured, often impacting academic focus. The teen’s heavy chore load and academic rigor already demonstrate responsibility—her parents’ demands risk stifling her future.

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The transportation fee is particularly galling. Experts suggest parents should facilitate safe commuting options, not profit from them. The teen could propose paying bus fare equivalent or redirecting funds to a driver’s license, which offers long-term independence. Opening a separate bank account to protect her earnings is wise, as Reddit suggested. Parents and teens facing similar conflicts should prioritize open dialogue, setting clear boundaries to balance support and responsibility.

Here’s how people reacted to the post:

The Reddit gang rolled in like a protective big sibling, dishing out fiery support and clever workarounds. Their comments are a mix of outrage and practical tips, served with a side of humor.

WebbieVanderquack − NTA. You're under 18 and you're saving for college. Edit: I think you need to start standing up for yourself re things like taking public transport. Your parents can't force you to pay them to drive you places.

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sneeky_seer − NTA and holy f**k what’s it with parents trying to take their kids money?!. You paying for them driving you to and from work is reasonable, kind of. Depending on the hours you work and the area you’d need to travel to/from, I kinda get that they don’t want you to take public transport.

However... if you don’t have a driver’s license, you will need to use public transport when you go to college. So with their logic, you should be learning how to do that. Is your phone bill in your name? If it isn’t, ask them to cancel it and get a prepaid plan.

They will be a lot cheaper and you have full control over what you get + you won’t get cut off by them out of the blue. Do they have access to your money? Do they have access to your bank account or cash? If they do, work on changing that.

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You’ll absolutely need complete independence once you leave, because they will find an excuse to keep taking from you otherwise. Start looking into what types of aids/grants/loans you can get for college. It doesn’t sound like you’ll be able to save a decent chunk of money and moving away + setting up your new life will be expensive.

Small piece of advice. Don’t get a license till you leave home. They will find a way to make you pay insane amounts towards a car payment and all additional payments. It would be more expensive than the $300 you pay them each month.

Tell them you’ll start buying your own food and don’t give them money for food. This will be good for various reasons. You’ll learn how to budget for food, you’ll learn how to eat well on the cheap and you won’t feel like you’re giving your parents money.

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Also don’t buy more than what you need for a day or two, in case they decide you’re keeping it in their house therefore it’s theirs. It’s extremely unfair, but they won’t listen to reason, so you gotta work with what you have and make the best of it.

ollyator − NTA. You are a minor and still in high school it is beyond ridiculous that they charge you rent, much less expect you to contribute to other bills. As for the transport costs, I’d refuse to pay more than what bus fare would cost as it is them, not you, that is preventing you from taking the bus.. Your parents may thing they’re helping you learn to be responsible, but they aren’t teaching, they’re controlling, it’s different.

SocialMediaMisfit − NTA. Harsh! IMO they shouldn't be charging you to live there. You're their child. They're supposed to provide those things for you up to a point. Now, once you graduate college, if you still need to live at home, THEN it would make sense to charge rent, but definitely not while you're still in high school!

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LordGlow − NTA parents like that disgust me. They should be giving you support and encouragement as you begin your life as an adult, but instead they have their heads up their ass and are effectively hindering you at what is a delicate point for any young adult.

I'd suggest setting up a GoFundMe to get your license. If your parents get upset at your asking for support from the internet, just tell them that the more they hinder your life the more likely it is you will go no contact and they will no longer be a part of your adult life.

UnsightlyFuzz − NTA. The paycheck thing is just the tip of the iceberg. You are being treated as a slave and cash cow. Best wishes for a future free of exploitation.

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One-Audience7821 − NTA. Quit the job. Focus on your grades and college applications. Get a scholarship far away and go there.

memx12 − NTA. You are a child and should not be paying the electric bill. Your parents want to keep you down. They won’t help with college and won’t help you save. They are horrible. I would never take a dime from my child.

You need to find a way to keep your money. Do you have friends or family you can stay with? You need to save your money for a car or college.. Your parents aren’t teaching you anything- they’re selfish and greedy.

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Netter333 − NTA When I was your age, I gave my mom 1/2 my check for bills because we we were all expected to help out once we were able to get jobs but still living at home but I was able to keep the other half of which I paid for my bus fare to and from school and work.

I think they are being unreasonable in the amount they are asking for, especially since you're trying to save for college and have shown you're a good kid. You said it costs $300 to get your license. Can you use money you've put aside to get your license?

BTW - How did they arrive at $7.50 per ride? Maybe tell them bus fare costs X to and from work. I'm happy to pay you that amount because if I was allowed to take the bus, that's what I would be paying. $7.50 per ride is unreasonable.

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Or even, I would be happy to give you 1/2 my check that goes towards the bills and the rides you insist on giving me, but I need to put the other 1/2 aside for college. Don't you want me to get a good education?

nova9001 − NTA. What kind of life are they preparing you for? Slavery? If my daughter was sensible like you I would be over the moon. I can't understand why they have to make life so difficult for you.. $100 a month will only give you $1200 a year. Its going to be nothing college.

I think you need to sit down and talk to your parents. Its b**lshit that you are doing so many chores at home yet have to give them $300 out of your paycheck.. You need the money for college and the way I see it the earlier you leave home the better.

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These Redditors didn’t hold back, slamming the parents’ greed while cheering the teen’s resilience. From sneaky financial hacks to bold calls for independence, their advice crackles with energy. But do these online warriors capture the full story, or are they just fanning the flames? One thing’s clear: this paycheck saga has sparked a lively debate.

This teen’s struggle lays bare the fine line between teaching responsibility and exploitation. Her parents’ hefty demands, cloaked as life lessons, threaten her college dreams and independence. Reddit’s tips—securing her money, exploring scholarships—offer hope, but the emotional toll lingers. How should teens balance family duties with personal goals? Have you faced similar parental expectations? Share your thoughts—what would you do in her shoes?

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