3 Secrets to Living with Your Parents

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I think we would all like to avoid living with our parents again, but what if they had to move in with YOU? Check out this video asking people that question:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4kFwxmD3P4&feature=channel_video_title

Katie of NY 10:22AM December 05, 2011

Living with your parents means living as a PAYING Boarder. Always, always, always pay something for rent. I recommend 25-30% of your monthly net pay. I am 50 years old and disabled, so it is a bad idea to live solo. Thus, I share a 3bd with the 'rents (70's), and pay a rent inclusive. They get more social sec, and I pay 30% of mine. I also live on a very strict budget, in order to stretch my SS benefits. Homesharing is the future!

Polymyositis Woman of IN 3:44PM October 01, 2011

Intergenerational, non-familial house sharing may, repeat MAY, work better than living with family members. If these four principles are in place, you have a pretty good shot at it: 1) the members must be compatible; 2) the dwelling is large enough for people to have private space, 3) all adults are on an equal footing, either all owners or all renters to avoid any landlord/tenant hierarchy; 4) there must be a commitment to making it work. http://www.newcommunityvision.coop/how-would-house-sharing-actually-work/

terry of IL 7:58AM March 20, 2011

Veronica,

you need a better relationship with your parents.

stacey of NJ 8:49AM February 23, 2011

In most of the world extended families live with one another in very cramped quarters for their entire lives. I stayed with a family in India, and found that it worked so well because everyone helped contribute to the household in their own special way.

I think finding your way to contribute to your parent's house instead of treating it like a hotel will go a long way to make the process enjoyable.

Lauren McCabe of LA 1:27PM February 18, 2011

I especially love the phrase "avoid cramping each other’s styles" =)

A lot of people my age (in their 20s) are moving back home after college. I find that it works out best when parents learn to keep an open mind. It can be a shock for someone after being away from home for 4 years to have their activities restricted by parents.

savvy young money of CA 4:37PM February 17, 2011

Seeing as my 3 to 6 month stay has turned into almost 2 years, I needed a new strategy to survive living at home (and living at home fulltime since high school). I started looking for things I could do after work (or working later in the day) so that mom's home is just a place I watch primetime TV, sleep and shower. Sort of like back when I had roommates I didn't like...I avoid going home unless it's absolutely necessary. It's not ideal but it's the only thing I can do right now, especially considering my lack of job security.

veronica of NH 6:21PM February 16, 2011

I love it, thanks for sharing Cindy!

Kimberly Palmer of DC 2:01PM February 16, 2011

Katy and Keith saved enough to buy their own home and invite the parents to live with them. While grandparents are on the 1st floor, they are on the 3rd floor with the baby. The Smiths are now built-in babysitters for evenings out and a recent trip to Italy. The grandparent Smiths continue to be gone often traveling the world on the money they save not having a house. It's a great life!

Cindy Smith of TX 1:59PM February 16, 2011

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Alpha Consumer

Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about making smarter financial decisions. She’s the author of Generation Earn: The Young Professional's Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back.

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