2008 Woodie Awards
How to survive moving back in with your parents
Mackenzie Kinler
Issue date: 12/1/04 Section: News
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You're not alone. As the fall semester draws to a close, many students are stressing about finances. Sometimes financial pressures can become so overwhelming that students realize that they must either drop out of school and take on 40 hours a week at McDonalds or throw themselves upon the pity of their parents and move back home.
Recent studies have revealed that an increasing number of college students are choosing to cut college expenses and live with relatives while completing their education. Students who have chosen to make the move back home report numerous benefits, including hot meals, use of a washer and dryer for laundry and a lessened financial burden. However, with the benefits come certain drawbacks. There can be a struggle re-establishing ground rules that will work for both parents and their college-aged children, and living with siblings can sometimes be more difficult than living with the most annoying of college roommates. Read ahead on how to maintain your sanity and prevent a family feud while living at home.
Rent: Often parents will not charge rent to their returning tenants. Many find that having their little birdies back in the nest is payment enough. Some parents, however, feel that students need to learn to pay bills and will charge students a small amount of rent. If you find that the amount is too much, the simple thing to do is discuss the issue with your parents. A good way to convince them to reduce the rent is to negotiate extra chores in place of the amount you were paying. Baby-sit your younger siblings, fix the car, or become the family chef.
Food: As with rent, some parents will provide food for their down-and-out students while they are living back at home. However, this may not always be the case. For families with more than one child it can become very expensive to keep the house continually stocked with groceries. Students should make arrangements with their parents regarding meals at home. Some students also find that they have different eating habits after living alone, such as being the only vegetarian in a family of carnivores. In this case, students should buy their own food and designate a shelf in the refrigerator just for themselves. Students who are concerned about hungry siblings eating their food can purchase a mini-fridge to place in their bedroom. These can be found at most stores with appliance sections for less than $100. No matter what the arrangement, students should make sure to discuss it with their parents to endure that the situation will work for them.