AITA for lashing out when my father and MIL spent my savings on a trip to Paris?

Picture a 17-year-old guy, hustling as a lifeguard and waiter, stashing cash in an envelope on his bookshelf, dreaming of university freedom. He’s scrimped and saved, balancing school and work, aiming to cover his first two years of tuition. Meanwhile, his dad and stepmom, married five years, obsess over YouTube travel vlogs, hearts set on a romantic Paris getaway. Two weeks ago, they jetted off—business class, fancy hotels, top-tier dining—living their dream.

Then, the bombshell: he reaches for headphone money and finds €3,000 missing. His father confesses—they “borrowed” it for Paris, claiming custody gives them rights. Shock turns to fury; he storms out, now crashing with his girlfriend. They demand rent for repayment, and family guilt-trips fly. You can feel his betrayal—savings gone, trust shattered. Was lashing out too much, or did they cross a line?

‘AITA for lashing out when my father and MIL spent my savings on a trip to Paris?’

Discovering your hard-earned €3,000 vanished for a luxe Paris trip—business class and all—stings like a slap from those meant to protect you. This 17-year-old’s fury is raw: his dad and stepmom took his savings, hid behind “custody” rights, then dangled repayment if he covers rent and food. A bold move, flipping independence back on a minor! He bolts to his girlfriend’s, dodging texts calling him “immature.”

This is theft, plain and simple—custody doesn’t justify raiding a kid’s stash. Parents are duty-bound to support, not swipe. A 2022 UNICEF report notes financial exploitation by guardians undermines trust and stability, impacting 1 in 5 teens in some regions. Legal lines vary, but taking €3,000 without consent screams wrong.

Dr. Gabor Maté, trauma and family expert, says, “When parents betray trust, it fractures the child’s sense of safety”. Here, they spent his future on croissants and Eiffel Tower selfies. Check local laws—texts admitting the act could bolster a police report. Stash cash in a bank, set firm boundaries, and lean on supportive cousins or kin.

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

Here’s the Reddit posse, dishing fiery takes with a sprinkle of sass, like a late-night vent session:

These Reddit rants burn bright—did they steal his dreams, or is he too harsh?

This tale of pilfered savings and a Paris splurge leaves us stunned—can trust survive when family swipes €3,000 from a teen’s future? Our guy lashed out, packed a bag, and cut contact, reeling from his dad and stepmom’s gall—stealing, then demanding rent! Cousins cheer him on, but family calls him unreasonable. Was his fury fair, or should he bend? What would you do if your savings vanished for someone’s dream trip? Share your takes, feelings, and fixes below—let’s unpack this family heist!