Fair contribution

flutterbyuk25

I'm 25 and still live at home. I pay one-fifth of my wages as my rent - which is approx £220/month. For this I get a roof over my head and some meals cooked when I'm here. I'm often out 3/4 nights a week so don't eat that much at home! I cook for me and parents approx 2 nights/wk too. I do my own washing/ironing (unless my mum needs a few extra items to fill the machine up). I buy approx £40 of food per month, and buy all the cat food (for 3 cats). I also pay for the broadband service, as this was something I wanted, whereas my parents could take it or leave it.

I don't expect to get anything from my parents in return for my rent, except a roof over my head! I certainly wouldn't expect washing/ironing/cleaning/meals etc to be done for me just cos I'm paying rent.

I would love to be offered a council flat in a nice area, but sadly not many of those in my area for single people!

He is very lucky to have you.

x

dearbarbie

omg what a joke!
being in this situation, living at home etc, has probably contributed to him being in this debt, in the way that he's got the money spare. and i can't believe you do his washing and ironing!! honestly, i really reckon some tough love is going to be the key here.

for the record, i live in london, earn £15k and pay £600/month on rent and bills...how lucky for him to be living at home still! (i'm 25)

Psykicpup

dearbarbie wrote: »

omg what a joke!
being in this situation, living at home etc, has probably contributed to him being in this debt, in the way that he's got the money spare. and i can't believe you do his washing and ironing!! honestly, i really reckon some tough love is going to be the key here.

for the record, i live in london, earn £15k and pay £600/month on rent and bills...how lucky for him to be living at home still! (i'm 25)

Blimey how do you do that - our bills come to about £800 a month withoout food!

I would divide the bills by 1/3 if there is just the 3 of you & then charge him extra for the chores - if he doesnt like it he know what he can do! ps this is exactly what my son suggested to me when he started work & he wasn't on a GOOD wage! but his suggestion not mine!

DUKE

If he's only paying a minimum payment on his credit card and he's going out partying every weekend then I don't think that he's doing much to help himself. I'd bump his rent up to at least £400 monthly, if he took on a place of his own it'd cost him a lot more. Or I'd give him a few months to find another place to live. He got himself into debt and I don't think that you should suffer because of it. I understand that it's difficult though as it's your stepson - I've got 2 of them :rolleyes:

dearbarbie

Psykicpup wrote: »

Blimey how do you do that - our bills come to about £800 a month withoout food!

i have a very strict cashflow, havent bought clothes in ages, don't go out very often - tend to invite mates here and get some wine in
! food is on top of that but we make everything from scratch and most of the time my OH pays for that...live in zone 3, cheaper rent but more expensive travelcard!!! its hard but i know its only temping and something perm will come along soon hopefully!!

advent1122

jillyp wrote: »

My partner and I have tried advising him to take out a loan in order to clear this debt as quickly and cheaply as possible, to no avail.

Bad idea.
If he is a compulsive gambler he will just max out the credit cards again and then have a loan on top.

When my son lived home I never took any money from him for keep.
He was responsible, had a part-time job from which he saved enough to buy a car, never missed a days work or college and never took out a loan or credit card when he was 18 despite the repeated "invites".
We have more than enough money to live on and as he was so sensible it didnt seem right to take from him.

HOWEVER - If he was a compulsive gambler I would have taken as much as I could from him unless he joined gamblers anonymous.