Niece uses 42-year-old aunt's 50-75% off employee discount code to go on a massive shopping spree, puts aunt's job at risk for a new wardrobe: 'She didn't say there was a limit'

Family and money sometimes mix about as well as oil and water. It's a shame, really, because your own kin are the people you are supposed to be able to trust and rely on the most, but many use that proximity to manipulate. Whether it's a cousin asking for "just a little" help with rent, or an entitled uncle expecting a family discount at your business, blurred boundaries abound when it comes to family. 

That's pretty much what's going on here. One young woman found herself in a pretty uncomfortable situation when her aunt, who works in a senior position at a major clothing brand, shared her personal employee discount code with her. With school expenses piling up, the niece gratefully accepted and used it to get herself a brand new wardrobe. But when the aunt realized how much she bought, she accused her of taking advantage.

This reminds me of the time my mom gave me her credit card "for emergencies" in college, and yeah, that's exactly what I used it for. I always called or texted her before I did, too, even though she thought it was unnecessary. But some of my peers would occasionally try to pressure me into using it in a way that really stretched the definition of an emergency. 

At the end of the day, what feels like generosity to one person can feel like overstepping to another, especially when money is involved. Without clear expectations, even the most well-intentioned gifts — whether it's a discount code or a college "emergency" card — can end up sparking more family drama.