Austin, a 19-year-old from Peoria, Illinois, had recently moved out of his parents’ house and onto his grandfather’s farm, yet his father was demanding $2,800 a month from him, despite not contributing to his expenses or living with him.
Hosts Call It Manipulation And Urge Him To Stop Paying
When Austin confronted his dad about it being unfair, the response was chilling. “He said he was offended that I even had the audacity [to question it],” Austin said on “The Ramsey Show.”
For four months, Austin sent his father $3,000 a month, even though he no longer lived with him. Before that, his father had taken all of his income, supposedly while covering some of his expenses.
Don’t Miss:
Co-host Ken Coleman was stunned. “Hear us loud and clear: Your dad is manipulating you,” he said. “This is crazy unhealthy. There’s no good way to stop doing this other than just stop doing it.”
Coleman then spoke directly to the dad. “This is twisted. It is manipulative. It is wrong,” he said. “And it is destroying, if not has already destroyed, the relationship with your son. Stop this nonsense. Let the boy fly.”
The justification, according to Austin, had something to do with a family tradition of treating 21 as the age of adulthood. Until then, the father believed he still had control over Austin’s money.
The hosts encouraged Austin to stop payments immediately and look for his own place to live. With that money, he could easily afford a decent apartment.
“You made the first right move by moving out,” co-host Jade Warshaw said. “The next right move… get your own place.”
See Also: Americans With a Financial Plan Can 4X Their Wealth — Get Your Personalized Plan from a CFP Pro
The situation even extended to Austin’s grandfather, who knew about the arrangement. According to Austin, his grandfather wasn’t against the dad getting “some” money, but didn’t agree with how much.
“Then you need to get up out of there,” Warshaw said. “Because Grandpa is not helpful,” Coleman added.
With a monthly income that high, the show hosts pointed out how much progress Austin could be making instead.
Platforms like Fundrise, for example, let individuals start investing in private real estate and technology portfolios with as little as $10. Instead of losing $3,000 a month to unhealthy family dynamics, someone like Austin could be building long-term wealth.
Coleman ended with a message directly to the father. “If you’re hearing this, I got to tell you, my friend, I’d shake your hand. I’d have coffee with you,” he said. “But I would tell you straight up that this is twisted.”
Read Next:
Image: Shutterstock