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20-year-old works 2 jobs while living with family, protests when mom insists she pays $1000 rent with a $125 increase every 6 months: 'She is starting to take it too far'

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  • a young woman looks upset as she sits and hugs a pillow
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  • Am I in the wrong for thinking my mother’s rent is unfair?

    I (20F) still live with my family. My mom has a set of rules that I've been comfortable with so far, but now I'm starting to question if she is starting to take it too far.
  • For context we live in the Bay Area. I work two min wage jobs, feed myself for the most part and only take leftovers from the fridge if I'm a little short on money at the moment. I keep to my room and the kitchen since it's right next to my room, only venturing to the other end of
  • the house to do my laundry. I make a point to never ask anything from her and tell her very little of my activities outside of work and school because she usually likes to use it against me when we get into arguments. I pay her $573 for monthly bills (car insurance/payment, phone, and bridge toll)
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  • an older woman's hands holding a jar full of dollar bills
  • Her rules for me living under her roof are: • Go to school full time (4 classes) = no need to pay rent • Go to school part time (less than 4 classes) and work part time = pay rent • Flunk a class = not considered full time, so I have to pay rent • Rent starts at $500 and goes up $125 every 6 months (it goes up regardless of whether I pay rent or not)
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  • Now I agree the first three rules are fair, but the last one has started to upset me lately, especially after talking with my friends who also pay rent. At first I went to school part-time and paid the $500, then it went up to $625, and when it was about to get to $750, I went
  • to school full time to save my money a bit. Unfortunately I've failed one of my 4 classes and will have to go back to paying rent, which is now $1000.
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  • I'm happy to pay rent by all means, but $1000? With my other bills on top of that my monthly pay would come out to $1573, I've talked to my other friends about their rent and most have said they pay $300-$600, which I think is completely reasonable, and I'm considering
  • bringing the rent price up to my mom. It'll end up in an argument either way, but I want to know am I being unreasonable/ungrateful? I really don't think I am but every time I try to express my side, she always manages to end up the victim. I'm all for self reflection and self improvement, so I'd really appreciate some outside takes on this
  • an open refrigerator door in a dark kitchen
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  • Low_Notice4665 I don't think you're wrong per se. Is she hurting for money? You need to find some friends and live in dorm like housing where each person gets their own rental agreement. My kiddo split a four bedroom and paid 800 a month which included covered parking.
  • OP Vix_Veee No, she and my stepdad take frequent trips, attend concerts, and are pretty open about being able to live comfortably. I've talked with a close friend and we're looking at housing options around the area together. Ty for the reply :)
  • eemmlee I'm curious who is paying for your schooling. This makes a big difference as well.
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  • OP Vix_Veee I handle my own school payments, I usually fill out FAFSA to make it more manageable
  • oroscor 1 I would definitely look at what the rent you pay is vs. what the equivalent in your area is.
  • Apprehensive War9612 She's incentivizing you to go to school and work hard. She isn't even demanding a specific gpa, just that you don't fail. 4 classes is not that much. YITW
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  • Geblank She's trying to incentivize you to keep at school and move out. What is the market rate for a one bedroom in the Bay Area?
  • United-Plum1671 You're wrong. Move out then. She wants you to have your shit together and not fail in school.
  • Solid_Violinist_5759 Personally see if you can afford to go in with someone and house share else where. She seems very pricey. Unless of course that's her way of getting you to leave. maybe. By having your own place you don't have her rules. You are 20 like.
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  • Ok_but_youre_wrong Over what time span is this taking place? Years? One semester? If it jumped from $625 to $1,000 in the span of one or two semesters, that would seem a bit harsh and as if she weren't following her own original agreement. However, if the original rate was $500 four years ago and is now $1,000, that's the horse of a different color.
  • Budyob You cannot compare your situation with your friends because you do not know your friend's parent's situation or mind set. Do not say to your mother so and so only pays whatever. What your friends pay has nothing to do with your family situation. Do you know how much your insurance and car payment are? Is there a reason your mother pays this and not you? 573.00 sounds reasonable for car payment and insurance as well as toll. Is the 1K above these cost? Can you take over paying these direct
  • OwnedBySchipperke And many parents save the "rent" all or part to give to kids when they move out. Not sure if the mom here is doing that.

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