This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nadeshiko Zhang, a 25-year-old graduate student from Baldwin Park, California, about living at home with her parents who are helping to pay her bills. It’s been edited for length and clarity.
I’m 25 years old and my parents still pay my bills and rent, which is a big help as I’m in grad school.
Last November, I moved back home to live with them and my younger brother in Baldwin Park, California, to save money because the housing and rental market is not ideal. I’m glad I made the decision; my mental health has improved vastly, and I’m less stressed.
My parents cover my bills because I’m still in school
I graduated from Chapman University with a bachelor of arts in psychology in 2023. I’m attending the Anaheim campus of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology for my master’s in applied psychology. Once I’m done in July 2025, I’ll pursue my doctorate in forensic psychology.
My parents still pay most of my bills because I’m a student. From their perspective, they don’t want me to worry about money so I can focus on my education and get a good job.
Besides rent, they’ve also helped to pay for my car insurance, health insurance, and tuition.
My car insurance varies between $3,000 and $4,000 a year. As of this year, my parents no longer pay for my tuition and health insurance. My current income makes me eligible for free Medi-Cal, and my scholarships, grants, and loans cover my graduate school tuition.
I plan to return the favor when I land a good job
My father is a contractor and construction worker, and my mom runs a daycare center at home. Another goal is to help them pay off their mortgage so they have one less bill to worry about.
Once I get a good job, I plan on reciprocating by supporting my parents. I plan on helping my parents retire but I’m not sure when they’ll be ready to do so as they enjoy keeping busy. My dad would probably retire in the next five to eight years.
My dad helped pay my tuition on a monthly payment plan. Because Chapman is a private school, my grants, scholarships, and financial aid didn’t cover everything. I still had to pay between $10,000 to $15,000 out of pocket, including loans.
Living at home with my parents is great
While attending Chapman, I lived independently for three years, renting a room in a house. One of the main reasons I had to move out of my parent’s house was that I didn’t want to commute from Los Angeles to Orange County daily during undergrad.
Living alone was sometimes great, but I probably wouldn’t want to live alone again. After a stressful day, I don’t want to return to an empty house. It feels lonely.
Since moving back in with my parents, I look forward to going home after class versus dreading it when I live alone.
The one major con is that there’s minimal privacy at my parents’ home, which can affect busy study times and school work. But I’m saving over $2,000 a month by moving back home.
I still help out with monthly bills even though I don’t have to
Currently, I private tutor kids on the side for extra cash for roughly 40 hours a month. Some of that money has been used to build up my savings and buy a new Tesla for my commute. My previous car was a 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport, and I decided to go electric for the longer commute.
A lot of my friends think I’ve made a really smart choice, living at home, considering the rent prices.
Once I get my master’s degree, I want to teach at a community college as a professor while working on my doctorate degree. Eventually, I plan on moving out with some friends and buying a house closer to my work, so it’s an easier commute.
After I complete my degrees I want to focus on retiring my parents early
Ultimately, after my postdoctorate, I want to apply for the FBI Academy and get field training. I aim to become a forensic psychologist partnering with the FBI’s Behavior Analysis Unit. Women, especially women of color, comprise a fraction of any federal agency. I want to be part of that change.
I’m confident I’ll make enough money to take care of my parents. Forensic psychologists make six figures with a salary bump from degrees, certifications, and references. The starting salary for the position I want is around $150,000 a year.
I also can’t wait to be able to help my parents retire early because they’ve worked so hard and long.
Since my brother is starting college soon, I agreed to pay for his tuition, and he’ll be helping me support my parents after he starts his career.
If you have a unique living or money arrangement with your family, and want to share your story, email Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com.
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