Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I looked at all of your wonderful book recommendations, logged on to my library account, and immediately put about 5 of them on hold. Now I shall have lots & lots of new books to read!!
This weekend I went home & had dinner with the family, and came back with tons of provisions that Mom has bought for me: frozen mini-pizzas, soy milk, chocolates, noodles, and some really nice loose leaf tea. And I got to take some delicious leftovers for lunch today. I’m 23, I’m basically financially independent in all the Big Things (rent, student loans, retirement saving), but I still bring food from home & get my cell phone paid for by Mom & Dad (family plan).
Oh, their accountant is also doing my taxes.
This may be a blatant attempt to prolong the worry-free days of childhood but enjoy the perks of adulthood… but I’m going to drop off my W-2’s at my parents’, kick back with one of the books that you good people have recommended, then watch Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles on the internet with a little glass of dessert wine.
P.S. Can anyone guess the where the title of this post is from? I won’t judge you for knowing if you won’t judge me! 
um, duh. that song from like, 1996, or something? can’t remember specifics but i can hear it in my head…
Britney Spears. Oh dear, no judging.
I’m jealous that you live near your parents. If I didn’t live 400 miles away from them, I would be there at least once a week stocking up on homemade (free!) food.
Britt Britt! Oh yeah….Crossroads…I’ve seen it…stop laughing…
Brittany is tragic, but who could help loving her back in her day? LOVED this song at the time it came out… and if it came on now, i just might sing along.
Not being on a family plan is just illogical these days….
AFter reading the books, let us know which ones you loved!
I miss my family…..
oh Britney spears. Off giving my name a bad rep. I do love her new cd though (please don’t laugh at me).
Nothing wrong with taking food from home when offered… my 32 year old roommate in law school used to return to NYC from San Antonio with dozens of frozen homemade tamales!
And the family plan idea is just smart. For a few years, my sister and I shared one that I paid for. Free calling between the best-friend sisters, and only $10/month for the extra phone!
The NYT had a story a few years ago about 20-somethings raiding their parents homes for paper goods, old furniture, homemade food, etc. As long as the parents are offering willingly and it’s the Costco-cheap overrun that’s allowing it, I say shop away!
I’m glad I’m not the only one! I’ve been feeling pretty spoiled for the past few weeks and a little guilty about it, but, really, I think that our parents just want to help us out.
I am 27 and I still use my parents accountant. This is the 1st year that I have felt guilty about it, but I am comfortable and familiar with the fella. He always gets me a return and its pretty well priced for all of us.
As far as “failure to launch” syndrome, I moved home after college (even though I was hesitant) and they didnt want me to leave! They told me to save money and enjoy the perks. It was a tough choice, because they have given me virtually no hassles since I was 18. I could come and go as I please with little to no interference. I should move back…
Ill shamelessly admit that they also gave me a generous allowance until 25 and my yearly birthday/christmas gifts are of handsome dollar amounts.
Am I bragging? Of course not. Am I grateful? Very much so.
Just sharing a tidbit that it seems more the norm.
Living in the same city as my parents means I always have a safety net–I went over to their place on Sunday and baked two cheesecakes (one for them, one for me & my boyfriend) plus made a batch of hummus on their dime. Then they fed me delicious vegetable soup for dinner. Then my mom asked me what day this week she could take me to the movies.
As long as it’s not a burden to them, I don’t feel too bad about letting them swoop in and improve my quality of life every now and again–but I don’t want to become dependent. That’s the thing to watch out for.
I’m still on the family plan for my cell phone. It is definitely a cheaper method. The only catch is I have to pay for my trips home…which overall evens out the cost. Same for me about the other big expenses…paying rent, utilities, student loans, etc. I notice I sometimes forget how to act when I go home to visit, because they still feed me, give me a little mad money ($20 for fun), and everything. They do come up here often and stay at my place. They’ll then want to pay for dinner and things as thanks and to offset costs (for example, last time, they paid for a big grocery run so that we could make dinner at my place…but also bought non-dinner groceries as well!)
I think we’re in a good place for that.
Still haven’t done my taxes…mostly because I’m supposed to get a form from my company that has to wait for the accounting to finish.
Um, yeah, me and Britney? We’re tight
Both my wife and I are on the family cell phone plan. The catch is that I send my parents a check every month that covers our contribution. They didn’t require me to do that, but I wanted to be able to claim that I am fully financially independent. I recommend you start doing your own taxes sometime soon. You need to learn how to do it eventually and if you start now it may not be as painful. You may also find ways to optimizing your spending so that you can start claiming more deductions.
My in-laws supply us with a great home cooked meal 1-2 times a month when we drive 2 hours each way to see them. It is nice to be close enough to see them regularly but far enough away that they never come without plenty of warning (and rarely at that).