Has your family ever helped you out financially?

I have bank accounts for my kids now and I deposit money in whenever I can. I won’t let my kids suffer the way I am now.

People should help out their family members. Especially if they have some to spare. I think it’s rude to watch your family suffer, especially your kids. Obviously every adult should be trying to support themselves, but families can help each other get on their feet, and stay on their feet. Pay it forward.

For our financial struggles my family has assumed we could cover things but if we needed extra help I would explain to them why I couldn’t cover it and that I would pay them back. Thankfully my family is willing to help and understands that things are very different financially today than it was back in their day.

Yes they would if I asked. I’m just too proud to ever ask ☹️

Any time my mom comes over to the house, she asks me for a grocery list and buys us groceries. She does this because she can and she wants to. I think it’s because she struggled when she was younger and now she’s in a position to help her adult children. She also gave my husband and I $2k towards the downpayment on our home. She does not want that money back. I am sorry you have not experienced more support. Are you able to receive child support for your kiddos at all? Have you seen Dollar Tree Dinners on TikTok? She made an entire Easter meal for $20 using stuff from Dollar Tree.

So I typically don't believe in lending money to friends or family. If I have it to spare, it's a gift. I think it creates a power imbalance when a family member or friend owes another. And if they were not able to pay it back then that just creates friction and I wouldn't want something like that to ruin my relationship with the person. I think I'd need more context for your situation but if a family member told me they were struggling or asked for help I would do anything I reasonably could. However if they didn't ask, I don't think I would offer, because I would worry I might offend them if they're actually okay financially and I just made an assumption.

I wish honestly, I don’t associate with either of my parents. Although I understand how nice it would be to be able to live at home when times are tough or when you just need a break. I knew growing up with the life that I had that I wouldn’t be able to rely on my parents but that’s the sad reality of it. My dad was super abusive to me and my siblings growing up, I found out when I was 9 years old that my sister was SA by him. My mom kept bringing abusive men in and out of my life, and when she met my step dad he was an alcoholic and a pedophile. My mom’s a narcassist and truly only cares about herself and my kid brother. I’m so sorry you have to experience that. I completely understand what it’s like to be alone and have no one. My grandparents try to help out as much as they can but they’re also in their 80s.

i’m really lucky to have parents that help us out when we need it. i feel shameful about it sometimes, that i need help but im grateful that they are willing and able

I can tell you now if any of my family struggled to buy food and I had the spare money I would be getting then a shop.

Are they aware you are struggling? Cost of living has hit everyone! I'm a single mom of 3 and I make it work with no support at all, I budget I plan I check cashback offers through my bank, bulk buy certain dry goods, use the app olio. Yes it would be great if family could help you but when they can't what happens? If you're repaying them you'll continually be in the same cycle unless you change it? God forbid when they are gone, then what ? People can help one another but it should never be an expectation When friends and family are concerned money can be an issue because I've done the whole lending when someone is struggling and it became a frustrating burden.

I think family should only help when they aren't expecting to get it back. Like out of the love and kindness of their heart. Otherwise it can complicate things. I am so beyond grateful to have a mom that always offers to help when she can and has gifted us money and many things over the years. She never expects it back. One day all I wish is to give back to her in some way and I know having been raised this way I will always do the same for my kids. But not all families are this way. Have you ever asked for help?

I disagree. Just because you’re family doesn’t mean they should help you. Mine would, but I know I’m not entitled to their help.

Absolutely. My parents have always been there to support me however I need it. Sometimes I've been too proud to ask, other times I've realized they WANT to help especially to keep me from suffering. They never ask or expect me to pay them back either. At the end of the day, I'm still their baby girl and they'll take care of me if they can and I need it. Heck they drove all the way out to CO and packed me up to move me back to PA when I was getting out of an abusive relationship and about to end up living in my car working 3 jobs on food stamps and cost NEVER came into play. I called and said "I think I need to come home" and 5 days later they were there. I'm luckier than many, and even luckier in that if I didn't have them, I know I could turn to my grandparents or aunts (tho I never have). My brother isn't well off but he would also do whatever he could to help. That's what family does imo and I'd do the same for any of them!!

My sister always helped where she could in my early 20s. She was my mom since mine was a pos.

Cost of living has hit everyone unfortunately. Although it’d be nice, I don’t expect it because I genuinely don’t know what anyone else is going through. They may only express surface level issues. Expecting your family to help will only disappoint and sadden you more. Maybe they just can’t help like you’d expect them too

There is a fine balance with being kind . I think occasions such birthdays and Christmas if I knew someone was struggling I’d probably go a bit overboard with gifting . Occasionally deposit money into their account if it a close family member sister , cousin etc.

Yeah, my sister will always help me out if I need it. She wouldn't expect it back either, although i would always offer to pay it back. My mum is in a similar position to me financially, so I would never ask her. She spoils my little boy, though, so she helps in her own way. My husband's parents would help us if we needed it as well, but we always pay them back.

Yes my family helps me, my dad just randomly puts money into my account x

My issue is does it go both ways? Now that I have my life together and my husband does okay. My mom seems to except us to help her and pay for everything, let her live with us when we get our property and I just get the “because I raised you” lecture. But she never helped me after 16, I paid for everything on my own and in fact she had to move into my house at one point instead of me getting a roommate like planned. Then made me kick out my already there roommate because she didn’t like them. Like I would understand if she helped me. But everything was a “loan” from her. And I’m talking about just buying me basic school clothes she’d tell me I “owed” her. My dad was.. well if I needed money, he would ask why, then usually give it to me as a present. But he wasn’t in my life much while from 4yrs old forward. But he would’ve helped, and probably would still now. But I do believe on just giving money, only if you don’t need/expect it back.