100% and proud of it. Since 18 I've had zero help from anyone including my parents. I paid my own way through college and pay all my bills-rent, utilities and everything on my own. I may have to be frugal and not go out as much as I like but it pays off in the end knowing I did it on my own and not with help from anyone...

I would love to be independent from my parents but as a full time college student studying politics and law it is hardly possible for me to obtain a job. The jobs I do have/have had are mostly internships and have little or no pay. My parents provide more than enough money for me to live off of comfortably and have hinted at the fact that they would be insulted if I suddenly stopped needing them. But honestly, I would really like to be independent from them, it would be exhilirating.

I am and have been for years. Yes, I have to stick to my budget, but I do it on my own. And I am very proud of that fact.

It's funny though, because I've always been an idependent person. I've been financially independent from my parents for years now. But my dad still worries and will try to slip me some money from time to time (even though he knows I'm doing just fine!). I guess you parents will always worry about you though.

My parents paid for a lot of my college, but while I was in school I earned my own spending money. I've been independent since I started my first job at 22. There have been occasional gifts and there was one time I needed a loan, but other than that I've always paid my own rent and bills and we paid for our (very small) wedding ourselves. We just bought a house and the only outside money we used was a small inheritance that my parents invested for me when I was younger.

I think my parents would have helped me more if I'd asked but my pride is too great.

I pay for everything that I need to myself

Sometimes, my bf does help me out but I always make sure to pay him back. My parents currently pay for one course a semester, but that's because my work was SUPPOSE to and then they back out of the deal at the last minute and my parents feel an education is important.

I would say i'm 98.9% independent.

100% my responsibility. Sucks being an orphan.

I used to be embarrassed that I'm not financially independent, but not anymore. I took care of myself from 17-23 with very little help and now my fiance brings in the money. I can go to school now, which I couldn't afford when it was just me paying the bills. Also, I can work wherever I want instead of at a place I hate. I'm still resourceful and if something ever happened and I had to have a job to pay the bills, I could do it.

I wish I was financially independent. I'm at the inbetween stage between college and grad school [I got a nice scholarship to take care of undergrad, worked a bit part-time to take care of the rest], so I can't totally cut ties just yet. I go to school in the meantime, because without school, I can't afford health insurance [or at least not as good as my dad's, whose amenities I absolutely need].

But soon...soon. I'm doing my own taxes this year, though.

I am with aimeeb, since I was 16, I have been responsible for myself and I was responsible for the household before I moved out at 17. I put myself through college twice and I am a strict budget.

bellaressa good for you! A lot of people don't know what it's like to have to do this and be so responsible, it's very stressful and hard. I commend you for it!

Yep! I learned the skills while I was in college, and I became 100% independent as soon as I graduated.

I pay all of my bills, but my boss is covering my college since I had a better job offer and that was my stipulation for staying. If that doesn't count, then yes, I am 100% independant.

I am assuming you mean on my own - well I could probably pay for most things with my salary but my husband makes more than I do, and since I am in graduate school and work part time, he does pay for more things. I probably could not afford everything without him.

I have the same story as aimeeb!

Sometimes I do get envious when my friends get hand outs and gifts, etc from their parents but then I realize that I'm grateful and fortunate that I know how to manage my time and money well enough that I don't need the assistance.

p.s. Anyone using undergraduate college as an excuse... sure, i understand. but just realize that's an excuse. I worked 30 hours a week, took 16 credits and maintained a 3.6 gpa. It can be done!

TidalWave go you!!! I don't really get envious of anyone I know who has their parents buying them things if anything it's the exact opposite. I'm extremely proud of myself for how hard I work and everything I have, I'm not sure I would feel the same way about myself if I was handed things ya know? At some point everyone has to learn to be independent on their own if not now then later and they'll eventually have to learn to pinch those pennies to pay their own bills and buy their own things...I'm just ahead of the game. (you too!)

That reminds me, there is a girl here at my work whose parents pay half her rent because she says her money is tight, pffft. Then goes out and buys $125 per pair jeans. It's so pathetic that some people are like that....I mean c'mon be an adult ya know?

Both of my parents passed away by the time I was a sophomore in college. Other than a small inheritance, I've been on my own. I'm very proud!

100% and I wouldn't have it any other way. It would drive my nuts if I had to rely on others.

Well, I started off independent. I started working at 16 b/c I had too, my parents did not put one penny toward my college education, I never took a student loan, I was fortunate enough to get scholarships, I had to buy my own lunches, clothes, gas etc.

But now my man and I work together (well I work for his business), so I guess that now, I am dependent on him. Really I am just use to this lifestyle, but if needed I would have no problem to live on my own and go back to budget living.

For the most part I am. My mom lent me a little money when the closing costs on our house were more than expected and when she visits she always buys some groceries, but other then that I think I'm pretty much ok. I pay all my bills myself

I am completely financially independent, but my parents still buy me gifts from time to time. (Nothing I need, just fun little things they pick up.) While being independent is great, there is nothing wrong with having someone help you out with things. And, undergraduate college is harder for some people than for others. So, while you are able to work, Tidal, it may not be possible for everyone. I didn't work during undergrad, but I did take 21 credits (minimum) a semester, volunteer at three different places, and was an officer in three organizations at one point. There is also merit in being involved in the community, even if it means you don't have time to work.

Yes. My parents took away my credit card a few years ago. They paid for my gas, though, until I was like 25.

100%, and though it can be hard, I wouldn't want it any other way.

I am responsible for most things and my S.O covers the rest.

My husband makes most of the money in our house, but I haven't been dependent on my parents for anything since I was in high school. They couldn't afford to pay for anything towards my school, so I took out loans and got two part time jobs in college to pay my own way through. Like TidalWave says, it CAN be done. I just didn't have a lot of disposable income.

I'm living with my parents right now, so I don't pay for rent and/or food, but I work really hard to save my money so that I can put a good-size down payment on a house instead of going through the renting process (flushing money down the toilet, IMO).

Meanwhile I am planning on going for my MBA, so depending on what my employers can do for me, I might be dependent on my parents a few more years. After that, I intend to achieve full independence.

The idea that renting is a waste of money is conventional wisdom that is outdated and oversimplified. Contrary to popular belief, houses generally do not give a good return on your investment. Historically, housing prices have barely kept up with inflation. The money you spend on property taxes and home repairs would better serve you in the stock market.

Besides that, renting gives you flexibility and freedom from the hassle of home maintenance.

I understand their are arguments in favour of renting, and yet home ownership is one of my major life-goals, and a big part of achieving independence and assuming responsbility.

Thank you for the alternative perspective TS.

i do manage MOST of my responsibilities, but there are a few things that i still get help with from my mom. the biggest issue that i have right now is that i have a house in Florida that i own, but i live in NYC and i used to rent it out but i had to kick out the tennants so now i'm paying my mortgage and my rent which is really really hard. (i just don't make enough $$)

I cover my rent and student loans myself. My parents cover my health care, and I use a credit card for food which they pay (but I make sure to use it carefully). I look forward to the day when I'll be 100% financially independent.

TS and much, you two represent an argument I'm having with myself right now. I am definitely going to continue renting for about two more years or so, but I am thinking about saving up money now to make a down payment at that time. I can't decide for sure what I want to do, though! I am worried about the maintenance required to be a homeowner. I go back and forth every day. (And you make some good points, TS. I feel like your perspective isn't heard as often as the "home ownership is good" perspective.)

Sometimes I sound a bit militant about the joys of renting, but it's so frustrating to me that so many people have this "renting is throwing money away!" mentality.

You are not financially doomed if you don't buy a house. My parents bought their first house when they were in their 50s! And they only bought it because it was the home they were renting and the owners wanted to sell it and they didn't want to move.

Their mortgage payment was I think $50 or so less than their rent, but they were now saddled with property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance costs, more utilities (trash). They then had to spend thousands of dollars to put a new roof on it when they wanted to sell it two or three year later, plus it sat on the market for over a year so they ended up having to pay two mortgages (they moved and bought the home they are retiring in).

I'm sure buying is a good option for a lot of people, but renting is not the road to financial ruin some people seem to think it is. If you're young and open to moving, it makes the most sense. I got a job offer across the country. I gave my thirty day notice and just went for it! I probably wouldn't have been able to do that if I was a homeowner, because I would not have been able to afford to pay my mortgage and rent or a new mortgage in my new city at the same time.

I'm a 21 year old college senior and have remained dependent on my parents. I have zero shame about it and believe that it is unfortunate that some people find it unacceptable to be a college kid who doesn't have to worry about work. While I have great respect for women who support themselves, I find it inappropriate to judge others on the source of their possessions, housing, and income.