Meet our 16-year-old hero, who’s been working hard to save up for college and a car. But there’s a catch: his parents demand half his paycheck for rent and make him pay for his own clothes and shoes. When he got a raise, he decided to keep it a secret, fearing his parents would take even more of his hard-earned cash. But when they discovered his hidden stash, things took a dramatic turn…
The Struggle Begins
Saving Becomes Impossible
A Secret Pay Raise
Hiding the Money
Doubling His Savings
Caught Red-Handed
The Harsh Punishment
Back to Square One
Grandparents to the Rescue!
A Sudden Change of Heart ❤️
Money Returned!
New Savings Plan
More Options on the Table
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Saving Money
Our young protagonist was struggling to save money for college and a car, as his parents demanded half his paycheck for rent. When he got a secret pay raise, he hid it to save more, but eventually, his parents found out and took $3,000 of his $4,000 savings. Thankfully, his grandparents stepped in and convinced his parents to return the money. Now, with the support of friends and family, he’s exploring new ways to save without any more secrets.
RELATED STORIES
Teen’s raise exposes parents’ financial dependence. Unfair or justified?
NTA calls out parents for making child responsible for needs
Supportive comment suggests seeking help to escape financial abuse
Teen’s parents taking 75% of secret savings is financial abuse
Encouraging response to teen’s financial independence and advice to move out.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/c78a230c-f016-4ea7-ba0c-30b568a9e238.png)
Teen faces financial abuse, seeks help. Not the a-hole.
Teen accuses parents of financial abuse, seeks advice on retaliation.
Sneaky money-saving tips for teens
Teen gets caught saving money, but comment suggests opening new account.
Teens don’t have to pay rent? NTA for outsmarting parents
Teen outsmarts parents to save money, but gets caught. NTA.
Helpful commenter suggests seeking advice and support from family
NTA! Minor outsmarts parents, but gets caught. Commenter offers advice.
16-year-old pays rent, but NTA. Parents being a**holes. Plan ahead.
Smart teen outwits parents to save money and gets support.
Teen’s parents steal their money, commenters outraged, NTA
Teen stands up to neglectful parents, gets caught. NTA
Standing up against financial abuse
Empathetic reply to teen’s struggle with controlling parents.
Outrage over parents punishing teen for saving money
Teen refuses to pay rent to parents. NTA.
Canadian commenter advises teen on legal and financial options
Parents steal from child, get called out by commenter. NTA.
Toxic parenting exposed! Helpful tips to save money without getting caught
Teen gets caught hiding money from parents, comment suggests hiding spots
Document everything! Don’t let them gaslight you later.
Enlist family support to shame parents into returning stolen money
Teen outsmarts parents to save money, but gets caught NTA
Empathetic comment offers support and advice for teen’s situation ❤️
Take control of your money and save smartly
Supportive comment suggests seeking help from authorities or family
NTA commenter offers advice and resources to teen in need
Teen stands up to parents, but will reporting them backfire?
Teen gets support for not paying rent to struggling parents.
Frustrated with parents spending his savings, NTA seeks independence.
Standing up against abusive parents for theft. NTA
Parenting done right Your parents are ripping you off
Encouraging reply to a teenager’s financial struggle with parents.
Encouraging support for financial abuse victim with helpful resources ❤️
Encouraging comment to escape economic abuse and move out
User questions parents’ plan for relying on teen’s income
Teen seeks legal aid and financial independence from controlling parents.
Encouraging response offering practical advice and emotional support
Teen outsmarts parents, internet agrees NTA.
Empathetic response to financial abuse with NTA judgment.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/95bead50-6283-4427-b828-b697d6dd3d23.png)
Parental rent and taxes? NTA suggests filing theft report
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/8955d591-6f8c-4967-9363-b725308eb138.png)
Supportive comment offers help to teen struggling with unfair parents
NTA outsmarts crappy parents. Should they have more kids?
Teen refuses to pay parents, sparks debate on family finances
Suggests seeking help to get money back from parents
Teen’s money-saving scheme exposed. Commenters agree parents are wrong.
Encouraging response to teen’s financial independence and advice.
Teen stands up for financial independence against overbearing parents.
Banking advice for teens and support for their financial independence
Standing up to controlling parents and saving money
Teen’s financial independence sparks abuse concerns and advice-seeking.
NTA. Seek help from your guidance counselor and child services.
Support for teen who outsmarted parents and got caught saving money
Be careful with your tax preparation strategy!
Teen’s hard-earned money stolen by parents. NTA, seek justice
Teen’s parents steal their money, commenter advises calling cops.
NTA exposes child abuse and suggests help programs.
Redditors suggest extreme measures for stolen money situation.
Setting boundaries with entitled children
Teen stands up to parents charging rent, seeks legal advice
NTA warns about illegal child labor in a sympathetic tone.
Teen stands up to dishonest parents, asserts financial independence. #NTA
Parental theft of child’s money. Commenter offers advice and support. NTA.
Supportive commenter offers advice to teen facing parental financial abuse
Teen receives support for standing up against unfair parents.
Resourceful teen shares advice on opening a bank account without parents
Protect your finances: avoid joint bank accounts with others’ names.
