Money Moral Dilemma: Should I 'reclaim' my car expenses?

Squirrel2000

Why not pay them the cost of the car back when you can to to say how much you appreciate everything they have done for you and all their support. In repaying such a large amount of money to them or perhaps even stopping for a minute to ponder how much they spent on you, you might realise how self absorbed, the stance you are taking, is.Tell them that you know you had no right to expect a car. Tell them that you recognise it was so kind and caring for them to give you such a wonderful gift at a time when they had other siblings to support and other responsibilities and costs to maintain. They chose to spend their own hard earned cash on you. What wonderful parents you have. That was a sacrifice on their part! In my experience, children have different needs at different times. It all balances out in the end. I wonder if you will be as generous and buy your mum and dad a new car when you have cash and they are retired?

Happier_Me

My parents could not afford to support me through university and I certainly didn't expect the help. It never actually occured to me that it could be an option. So I qualified the 'hard' way - full time trainee job from the age of 18, part time Saturday and Sunday job (from 15) and part time college course!

My cousin went to university and didn't have a job until she was 23, by which point I was a qualified Accountant managing a finance team. I found out several years after the event that my grandparents paid my cousin an amount each month to cover a good chunk of her university costs. Their choice after all but I made sure they knew their other granddaughter had actually achieved a post degree qualification through sheer hard work too.

You just get on with it! I am proud that I achieved what I did with little financial help from others.

Ziggy_Stardust

Speaking as a daughter/sister I'd say keep your dignity and don't ask. Speaking as a Mother I'd say both of my daughters have had favours from me but not for the same thing, my eldest has medical problems so needs me more and when it was her 21st I took her to Disney World, my youngest has just moved out to a job the other side of the country so I gave her my car, in the end they'll have both had money off me but just for different things. There may come a time in your life where you'll need a little extra help and that will even things up .

DigForVictory

Blimey poppet, noone can stop you from asking & you never know, your parents might even pay you, but I'd love to be a fly on the wall when it comes to reading the Will.

Families are all diffierent, siblings are different, and "within my rights" cuts no ice in most breathing family groupings. (Ask any solicitor!)

Your folk may intend to do something handsome for you when you marry, or want to start a business, or emigrate. Continue down the "rights" path however & I foresee a sharp drop in generosity, alongside a potential brisk contusion around the ear. (Yes, I do mean a clip around the ear.)

You're literate, numerate & working. Without any student loan. There's three blessings to be going on with. Hang onto them, keep in touch with your family & live a long & happy life.

Ebenezer_Screwj

It's your parents' money, they can do what they like with it. I would have told you and your brother that if you want a car, get a job, save up and buy one. Or maybe you consider yourselves to be children still?