Family Drama Unfolds as Adult Child Stops Buying Groceries After Being Charged Rent

After moving back in with their parents to focus on paying off student loans, one adult child found themselves in the middle of a family drama. For three years, they lived rent-free and contributed to the household by doing yard work, maintenance, and buying groceries for the entire family. However, when their parents suddenly asked them to start paying rent, they decided to stop buying groceries, leading to a heated argument and leaving everyone angry.

Living Rent-Free and Contributing

Helping Out Around the House

Grocery Expenses

Parents Ask for Rent

Agreeing to Pay Rent ✅

Fully Stocked Pantry

Rent Paid, Groceries Needed

Caught Off Guard

Can’t Afford Both

Huge Argument Erupts

Contributing in Other Ways

TLDR: Rent and Groceries Dilemma

Summary: A Family’s Grocery Dilemma

An adult child, living rent-free with their parents and older brother, contributed to the household by buying groceries for everyone. When their parents asked them to start paying rent, they stopped buying groceries, leading to a heated argument and leaving everyone angry. The situation raises questions about family dynamics, financial expectations, and the balance of responsibilities within a household. Share your thoughts and reactions below!

NTA. Commenters agree that paying $600-700 on groceries is rent. Move out.

OP stands up to entitled parents and sets boundaries.

NTA, suggested to move out but rent is too high

OP stops buying groceries after being charged rent. NTA.

Sharing groceries is fair, but is the rent split equal?

Adult child not obligated to buy groceries and pay rent

Commenter defends not buying groceries after being charged high rent

Adult child charged rent, becomes tenant, stops buying groceries. NTA.

Switching rent currency from groceries to money, NTA wins.

NTA stands their ground against greedy parents.

Don’t be a doormat. Stand up for yourself!

Father and child argue over rent in a witty exchange.

Adult child charged excessive rent, refuses to buy groceries. NTA.

Independent and responsible adult takes charge of finances and food

Sharing chores equally with brother is fair.

Family drama ensues as adult child stops buying groceries

Commenter questions unfair rent and grocery expectations, suggests compromise.

Engaging discussion on grocery expenses for a family of four.

Parental responsibility doesn’t end at 18. NTA for standing up.

Fair to stop buying groceries after being charged rent

Standing up for oneself and questioning the purpose of rent money

Compromise reached: NTA for not buying groceries after paying rent.

Unfair gender roles in household chores, time for a family meeting

Fairness is key! NTA suggests household meeting to divide responsibilities.

Miscommunication leads to family feud over groceries and rent

Adult child stops buying groceries after being charged rent

Fair grocery costs split suggested in NTA comment and reply.

Fairness in family finances, NTA for not buying groceries.

Fairness in rent and groceries, NTA for not contributing.

Adult child charged rent, but still expected to buy groceries.

Cultural differences in paying rent spark humor in comments

Choose one: buy groceries or pay rent. NTA for setting boundaries

Fairness in contributions questioned, suggested grocery expense division proposed.

Commenter questions bad communication and supports OP’s actions.

Commenter points out the irony of the situation

Sibling charged rent and expected to buy groceries, sparks conflict

Is charging rent fair if they can’t afford groceries?

Adult child not obligated to buy groceries while paying rent

Living rent-free in exchange for housework and groceries is fair

Take a stand and stop enabling your family’s laziness

NTA for not buying groceries. Suggests using rent to move out.

Fair point. Sharing expenses means sharing groceries too

Adult child not obligated to buy groceries while paying rent

Rent and grocery costs are high, but OP is NTA.

Adult child charged rent, stops buying groceries. NTA explains situation.

Discussion on handling communal supplies and confusion over rent payment.

Miscommunication leads to rent and food exchange, NTA for stopping.

Stand your ground! You’re not the a**hole in this situation.

Commenter questions American culture of charging rent to adult children.

Setting expectations is key when living with others

Standing up for yourself and your finances

Charged rent and expected to buy groceries? NTA for moving out

Sibling charged equal rent but not buying groceries? NTA.

Curious for an update? Join the nosy bunch and stay tuned!

Expecting rent and groceries is unreasonable. They’re the TAs

Paying rent and buying groceries? NTA, save up and move out

NTA suggests negotiating rent or making groceries rent for housemates

Fair solution suggested for grocery expenses in family dispute

Parents demand rent and gratitude, but can’t have it both ways

Clearing up misunderstandings: NTA for choosing rent over groceries

Paying $600-$700 a month for groceries is ridiculous! NTA

Fair rent or not, grocery payment should be acknowledged. NTA

NTA child stands up to parents charging rent, offers solution

NTA, parents need to communicate expectations as they age in place

Paying rent but also expected to buy groceries? NTA

Family communication breakdown leads to rent and grocery drama

Fair deal or not? NTA stops buying groceries after rent charged

Standing up to entitled landlords. NTA