‘Not a lifetime meal ticket’: Son plans to cut mom’s allowance to start a family

Not a Lifetime Meal Ticket: Son Plans to Cut Mom’s Allowance for New Family

Not a lifetime meal ticket – A 35-year-old man has sparked a contentious conversation online after proposing to reduce his mother’s financial support to pursue marriage with his girlfriend. The individual, who managed to complete his university education through evening classes and loans, currently provides her with 15% of his net income while covering additional costs like her Netflix subscription and a costly health insurance plan.

His Financial Dilemma

In a Reddit post, the man shared his perspective, stating, “I earned my degree despite my mother’s resistance, as she often said ‘degree holders are jobless.’ Now, I earn a salary comparable to a graduate level, but she treats me like an endless source of income.” He noted that his mother had forced him to take a major exam while he was ill in primary school, blaming his delayed graduation on “fate.”

“Me (35M): I hold a decent job and put myself through university via night classes and bank loans. My mother was heavily against me getting a degree, claiming ‘degree holders are jobless.’ Despite her lack of support, I earn a ‘degree-level’ salary. I currently give her 15% of my take-home pay, and fully cover her Netflix and a very expensive medical insurance policy.”

Mother’s Lifestyle and Family Ties

The man explained that his mother has been widowed since 2007 and has refused to work for nearly 25 years. “She is uneducated, speaks no English, and claims the world is full of ‘bad people,’ using this fear to justify her reliance on me,” he wrote. He also mentioned that his older brother had previously ended financial support due to her “blatant favoritism” toward him.

With plans to wed a girlfriend earning less than $2,000 monthly, the man argued that having a child would strain their finances. “Unless she stops treating me as a lifetime meal ticket, a family is not feasible,” he asserted, suggesting she either rent his room or take on part-time employment. She declined both options.

Public Reaction and Debate

Comments on the post reflected a range of opinions. One user remarked, “At times like this, it makes me appreciate my parents. Please try to get married and move out as soon as possible. Your mum is a leech.” Another suggested, “Old people are very hard to change. The older generations were brought up being taught different values than the younger ones; they have no concept of narcissism. Your salary will increase in the future; just don’t increase the allowance amount as long as it’s sufficient for her livelihood.”

“You get married. Then sell the current house and downgrade to a 2-room house. She lives off the housing profit, and you live your own life with your wife. I’m a firm believer that we don’t owe our parents anything; we owe our children everything.”

A fourth commenter criticized the mother’s emotional grip, stating, “Your mom is probably afraid of being left alone and so wants control over you by making you continue to give her allowance. She has options laid out before her, but refuses to choose them because right now, having you serve her is much more convenient.”

The post also included a disclaimer: “This report is based on user-generated content from social media. Hindustantimes.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.”

About the Author

Trisha Sengupta serves as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over six years of experience in digital journalism. She is recognized for translating viral internet trends into compelling narratives that connect with traditional news formats. Her work often explores the dynamics of personal finance, real estate, and emotional ties in urban centers like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.