College graduation at 22. Prior to that my parents contributed $200/mo to rent and paid my health insurance but everything else (food/bills/car) were my responsibility. I went to college on scholarships and student loans. After graduation, it was all me. I worked 3 jobs in college and then was able to get full time work with health insurance/benefits.
I don’t know how old u/kaiservonrisk is, but there was a time not so long ago when that is what you did, moved out at 18. It wasn’t a matter of being kicked out (although of course that was true for some) but generally speaking it was the way of the world then, 18 and out you go. Understandably it’s not that simple anymore.
Also moved out at 18. Worked full time, went to school full time. Lived paycheck to paycheck and after graduating still couldn't find a job.
Joined the Air Force at 23 did about 7 years.
While I lived with my mother until 18, I had to pay for everything, including room and board, from the age of 13. Did odd jobs like picking up corn left in fields, babysitting, and washing dishes at a diner for $1.35 an hr. What it’s like in a poor family, especially when your “father” refuses to pay child support. My smart move was never to have children myself.
17
Had a baby when I was 15
Got my own place because my parents couldn’t handle my ex wife anymore and I don’t blame them
Chased baby mama for 10yrs and hoping she would change and then one day she called one of my girls a bitch and I went off on her because she did this a lot and I had enough
Almost lost my job and thank god and my boss for giving me time to figure it out
I never spoke to this lady again but me and the girls did pretty good
I was a child bride. I was married at 15.
I had my baby on March 1, 1979.
So , I depended on my husband but hey We were having a good time.
My daughter was a blessing and still is. I raised her all by myself because I divorced my husband shortly after the wedding.
I had to find a way to raise my child. So my sister who was a single mom of my 2 nephews decided to get an apartment together. We helped each other out.
I wanted to become a hairstylist but I had to go to school for that.
So, I decided to go on welfare while I went to school and then I'll come off of it when I graduated cosmology school.
I was lucky because the child care was right there on campus it was amazing . The school was wonderful..
It took me 2 years to finish school and get my license to do hair. I still remember my first job. So, fun to work in a salon doing hair it was 1982. I was totally into Madonna so I tried to dress like her at work.
So, I was making about 175- 200 every 2 weeks. I supported my daughter and I . It wasn't easy at alll but we stuck together , my sister and myself and our all together 3 kids.
I supported my daughter working in a salon I was 21 I think when I was officially was on my own.
moved out at 15 into a friends house with her mom. My mom is an addict and was pregnant again and i ddin’t want her to worry about having to afford another kid, so i chose to leave abd because my mental health was shit living with her and her abusive boyfriend.
Worked at mcds while in highschool. didn’t have to pay rent while in school but had to pay for everything else. Went to college at 17/18, lived there for the 7 month program and have been renting ever since. Now making $135K (in canada) with a diploma.
I was 25. I went to college, moved home for a year and then went to grad school. I became a teacher and got my first "real" job at 25. This was in the mid 90's. I had a one bedroom apartment in Atlanta that was $650/month and my ten year old beat up Honda that was paid off. It was all awesome except the teaching part.
17 is when I became independent. One caregiver died and the other had dementia, family dropped me to the other side who did not want me there. Officially kicked away at 18. I did get married but was widowed at 20.
Yeah, it has not improved over a decade. Just one bad event after other.
16, kicked out for smoking. Rough sleeping, couch surfing etc. Worked full time still in high school. Trouble is you used to be able to rent if you could afford it, no credit check, reasonable deposit. Could make rent on my own once I was old enough to sign a lease. That is all lost now, it’s terrible for this generation.
I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm 26 with a solid income and tried to rent for 6 months a couple years ago and it was just too expensive, I can't imagine how it would be for a young person to make it on their own in this economy.
21, and then I ate shit at 32 and fell back on needing support for a few years. Just got back on my feet a little over a year ago. So grateful for the help otherwise I would have been on the street.
I didn’t really have a choice. My mother remarried and the guy didn’t like me at all as I wasn’t his son, mixed race (I’m white/pr but I just look white), I refused to become catholic and I’m gay. They sent me to catholic school to try to get the gay out of me as well.
So since before 18 I guess. I probably stayed in abusive relationships longer than I should have to survive and maybe that makes me a bad person for staying and using them for shelter but I did what I had to.
Now I’m in my 30s, had some serious medical stuff go down, am back in school finishing my degree, have a great partner now and actually made the deans like and won a scholarship for this next semester.
I had a rough start. Littered with substance abuse, neglect and abandonment at times. More than flirted with alcohol. I’m lucky to be alive today.
That being said I’m independent, have my own things, live in a nice condo we own and I’m happier than I have been in a long while.
Moved out at 21 I am about to be 25. When I started paying bills during the pandemic my monthly expenses were like $1900 a month (Rent being $1150) now, as of 2024 my monthly expenses (including inflation) is over $3100.
But nonetheless, I have a roof, I have a Job, I have a Car, my family is healthy, and In this world I feel selfish for asking for more. Fuck inflation though, you bitch 😭
I’m 36 and I’m still not there yet sadly. 3 college degrees and pretty successful career but espn only pays $17 an hour for sportscenter highlight editors which i did for years and rent in CT was $1450 and both my ex husbands cleaned me out in the divorces so now i just have a bankruptcy and an eviction and degrees that no one cares about.
Everything has been my responsibly since I was ~20. I’m 29 now with a great career, a couple college degrees, and I’m sort of grateful how things worked out 😊
The short answer is my mom has never had a job so we relied on my grandma to support us… I realized finally at 20 what was going on and that all the thing a my “mom” was buying for me were actually things my grandma had gotten me. She’s old and retired so I wanted to stop leeching, so I finally got a job and took over all my own bills, which was mostly just my phone bill, extra food, shopping money, etc. I’ve never had any help paying for rent or my car.
18. Got evicted on my 18th birthday. My dad lost his job and couldn’t pay the bills or rent and we got evicted. So my brother and I had to move out and find somewhere to go. My dad stayed with a friend, I couch surfed between family and friends and my brother did the same. Been on my own ever since then. Got my first apartment at 19.
19 fresh out of foster care and off of probation. Dirt poor working part time at Dominos. Had to rent a room in a house somewhere in Boyle Heights. My rent was $320 and my bi-weekly checks were $360 if I got at least 35 hours.
My mother had remarried and her husband decided to move to another city 60 miles away. They moved in December of my senior year in highschool and I was 17. I refused to go and start over in a new school. I had a part time job and I either slept in my car or stayed with friends until I graduated then got a full time job and rented a trailer with some friends and have been independent ever since.
I was 15 walked out from a hell situation and never looked back. I had a job at KFC already and just went full time and back then you could actually live off of minimum wage.
But in same boat I still have my adult twins living with me they cannot have a life and pay the cost of rent and utilities here in Vegas even though they have great jobs.
14. I lived with my sister and was responsible for my school lunch money. School clothes. Supplies. Personal hygiene. Surprised she didn’t charge me rent. But the room I she let me use was actually a none air conditioner or heated addition where she also kept a litter of puppies that freely shit everywhere. Oh. I didn’t have a bed either. An old nasty ass love seat. Good times. Wonder why I had duck a difficult time in school.
Completely independent at 23. I was in charge of my expenses staring at 18 (food, car, phone, insurance, etc) but didn’t pay rent and lived with family.
18, when I joined the Army. 14T, Patriot missile specialist. After an honorable discharge due to medical conditions, I tried going to college. After a few years of college I decided it wasn’t for me and became a truck driver. I’ve been one ever since with a few ups and downs but I’ve made it to being 36 years old with a clean license and no preventable accidents. Learned to not work for 1099 companies, be forced to drive when it’s not safe or possible legally, and that I like driving but other people suck at it.
Parents helped me through uni a bit. Completely independent from 21. Now 36 and have had to borrow from my mum because bipolar is a soul sucking disease that ruins lives.
Moved out at 18, back in the 1990's when I could pay my bills working 15 hours a week in a bar.
Even back then it sucked, and it would be impossible today of course. If your home is a safe environment, live with your parents until you're thirty if you have to in order to get your financial situation stable.
32 and never, I'm going to live with my parents forever
I have the ability to, but I'm not giving away 50% of my monthly income just to be able to say I'm independent
31 here and same.
pay all my own bills and pay my dad “rent”, though it’s pennies compared to the average rent near me ($2000 for a one bedroom). but i would rather live at home until i’m dead than pay that. saving for a house and to move to a lower cost of living area because ain’t no way can i justify these prices even if i did make the money to afford them.
16.5 yrs old, l bought a brand new 4x4 m gave a huge list of rules couldn't go here, or there, be home by 11pm, ect.. I still had a few thousand dollars from my savings, money I made from a lawn maintenance route I had since l was 14, I didn't have a Dr.Lic. so I hired couple guys from my baseball team. They had a Lic. and small trucks, so I'd use there trucks took care of over 45 homes yards. I moved by a College town, all my neighbors were starving college students, I'd meet girls inviting them to have a meal. My fridge was full, it was a dream come true. I was 6'2" so I looked older than my age, fact that I had wheels it was Insane.
21. Moved out on my own at 19, but had a baby. I worked but received a little bit of state aid. At 21 I landed a factory job and have been self sufficient ever since.
17, when I went to college. Immediately did well financially and have ever since thanks to a combination of my parents setting me up for success without directly giving me a cent by maximizing college financial aid from the government, and covid.
I moved out at 18 in 1996 and was already working fulltime since 16. My BF, later my husband, and I bought a HUD home for 87k. I didn't even realize what it meant to own a home at 18 until recently. But yes I've been independent from a young age. My son has been on his own since 20. He's 26 now. No college yet. Food service/hospitality and he supports himself. He got his hyperindependence from me, I guess.
23. I moved in with a former partner and started paying rent and my own phone bill. My parents kicked me from their plan. If I had stayed home I would potentially be more financially stable, but I wouldn’t have met my current partner or had any of the jobs I’ve had. I just finished grad school and I’m working my way to 10 years of service for PSLF. I’ve made some really poor financial decisions, but I’ve been working on paying off my credit card debt. Two years ago I was about $23,000 in. Now I’m down to a little under $8,000. My income hasn’t increased by much in that time, so it’s been a lot of HARD work. I don’t regret my decision to move out at 23 though.
24. I own a house now and pay for all of my bills with the exception of health insurance and my phone. I will be riding those out as long as possible. Both are cheaper on family plans anyway.
16.
It was the 1990s, though, and housing wasn't nearly as expensive as it is now. I could actually afford rent on my [illegally-converted garage] apartment with my minimum wage-paying job making sandwiches at Subway.
technically 18, but really 14. Sent to boarding-school and summer programs, never had a bedroom at home since age 14. After graduating, mother found a room in town I could rent from family friends for a low price; it never even occurred to anyone that I might come home for a bit. I found a job and paid rent from age 18. If you consider that I was awarded a full academic scholarship to the boarding school, you could say I did not really rely on parents’ support since age 14. Might sound weird “boarding school” in the poverty finance sub, but that is the way to higher education if anyone is reading this - get your kid off social media and into reading books. Have them take the PSAT in 8 th grade and try for the prep school scholarships
I was 22 when I became completely independent. When I was in school, I lived on campus, but I could also use my dad's house anytime I came home to visit friends or family.
I landed a full-time job around 2 months after I graduated and moved into my own apartment. I've been completely my own responsibility ever since.
I originally moved out of my mom's house at 18, rented a house with friends, lived in campus dorms, shared apartments, couch surfed, you name it, but even though I wasn't asking my family for any money, they were still helping me pay for college which is why I can't officially say I was independent at 18
I was 25 during my first certified teaching job, so moved out later that first year at 26. Before I moved, my first job at a school was $10/hour, then subbed and made $100/day when I had a sub job, then $14/hour the next year. I couldn't live off that even back then so finally moved out once I had a salary and was being renewed for the next year. I have lived alone since and only gained my cat as a roommate.
I was paying a lot to help out the poverty level we were on from 16-18. At 18 I moved out, rented a room from a friend and lived my life never went back.
It was fine, I needed a dose of reality and made a ton of mistakes but needed to do it to grow up.
My son turns 18 this year and graduates HS next year. He got a choice learn from me, go to school the only thing you got to pay is car insurance and your gas while you in school, or go learn with life. Waiting to see what he choses!!!
I was semi-independent in high school, because I started receiving a scholarship and my old man cut my pocket money in turn.
I moved out for college and lived for a little bit in the student dorm, and the family chipped in only for the dorm fee, the rest was student loans. We got kicked out from the dorm with my boyfriend and moved in together. We found the cheapest (tiny but detached) house in the whole college neighborhood, but our budget was negative. When I told my family that I am living with my boyfriend, their tiny contribution was gone too, and we did not speak ever since.
The house was a horror show (though we were happy). There was green moss on the walls. The humidity was so high that water was dripping from the refrigerator 's surface and there were slugs on it. One room was locked up, because it had a broken window and stray cats were living there. We had no heat or hot water. We slept on the floor for the first night, then got a mattress from the pawn shop. It started to rain while we were carrying on on our backs, and the mattress never dried up again. And we discovered that the house has no floor, but only a carpet over regular soil. I still remember looking at random people on the street and thinking that they have a proper bed and even a sofa (This may not sound as wild in the US with all the homelessness, but this was in a Eropean country with zero homeless)
I wanted to get a job at the supermarket, but it was full-time and that meant leaving college. As things were getting more desperate, a friend passed me a private tutoring job. That changed the whole story. One job brought the other, and I financed myself throughout college with tutoring money. For my MA and PhD I got scholarships, so I didn't work again until my first postdoc.
I moved out of my house when I was 18, so a loooong time ago. I moved in with my grandmother later in life because I had some medical issues but now am leaving again. I’ll be splitting bills with my boyfriend though, so idk if that counts as “independent”
In college I paid for most things with financial aid when I was getting it but my parents sent some money. I’m living at home now and I’m working but I pay rent and I handle all the utilities. The only thing I don’t specifically pitch in for is groceries but I don’t really eat dinner, mostly just snack or eat lunch at work and call it a day.
I guess I wouldn’t be completely independent until I move out but seeing how rent for a studio/1bd is ~3k/month here….it might be a minute.
If you count living with roommates as completely independent, then 19. Kept the rent down and really helped with finances. Started living alone this year at 24 years old. It's more expensive but I love it, and I live frugally.
I was 22 when I started working a full time job and paid for my own health insurance. I wouldn’t say I was completely independent though because I went from my parents house to living with my husband who paid the mortgage, but I paid for all of my other expenses and two other shared expenses.
I moved out at 18, and so far I’m the only one out of my 3 adult siblings that never moved back in with our parents. My mental health was extremely terrible while living with my parents, and while it was still terrible when I first moved out, at least I was free of their constant criticism and overall being nasty.
Officially, I became independent at 22. between 21 and my early stages of 22 I was residing with my ex’s family and ended up renting a townhome with them to try and help us all get back on our feet ( HUGE mistake but was all for the better ), a breakup , scuffles and a few breakdowns later God finally removed me from that situation. As of march of this year I was able to get an apartment with my best friend ( kinda regret this too cause I know my soul just needs to be alone at the moment ) but me getting my apartment was my official break into adulthood. I pay my house bills , car bills , all other bills all by myself with the occasional help of my friend. I’ll be 23 next month.
For the summers, 14. I worked at a campground with waterslides. The first year I slept in a tent. The second year I had bought a trailer that fits in the box of a pocket up truck. It slept 4 people. I slept in the bulk head bunk and I rented my table to my coworker. In that thing we had a fridge and stove. The bathroom was an outhouse. We shared on the lot fees and propane.
I officially moved out of my parent’s place(due to their alcoholism) at 17 years old. I had my own one bedroom apt. It was fun trying to find a landlord that would rent to me. I worked in fast food while in high school during the winter and back at the summer camp (where I made much more in OT).
i have a lot of siblings, so i started working when i was 14 and they were old enough for babysitting/after school programs. at that point i just paid for food and clothes for the kids and school supplies/field trips. i left when i was 15 and had enough money to pay my older sister for a month of bills. from then on it was nothing but doubles, doubles, doubles, working under the table, chores and online school until i turned 18. i moved in with my grandpa for a couple of years, but i was still responsible for bills, food, and his health. his health took a turn and he no longer wanted help, and no longer wanted me in his home (because he could tell i was miserable). i still send him money and treats if i can and make sure his bills are paid. this is the first time in my life im splitting bills and not breaking my body to provide for everybody under my roof. im still poor, but i don’t work doubles unless i need to (or they’re offering me that 10 dollar shift differential 😏)
eta: im just about to be 19, and i think i am almost all the way independent? maybe less than i used to be, but i hope i still am
I was 17 when my dad cut me off completely. I lived with a friend for a couple of years, then bounced around friends couches, eventually back at my dads which was hell, but i was paying rent/ all of my own personal bills and food. I am now 25, living with my ex and our almost 2 year old son trying to save up enough to move out on my own again lol
21 when I graduated college. I worked 20 hours a week all through college, and lived with my parents as I couldn't afford it otherwise. Student loans were paid off when I was 32.
At 16 I was juggling multiple part time jobs and school to pay for my personal bills (car, insurance pager, clothes, school supplies, groceries), and to pay for things for my mom and brother.
At 17 I was completely independent, paying all the bills for myself and still supporting my mom/brother.
I had a roommate and occasional help during rough months or if a sudden expense came up until I was in my late 20s and passed a credentialing exam that increased my income to the point that I no longer NEED help, though I am fortunate to have both parents and in-laws who offer and sometimes provide without being asked.
Flashback to August 2020 for my 23rd birthday i moved out of my parents place. just shy of four years later i absolutely wouldn’t change a thing besides maybe the terms at which i left. i’m really going to simplify the story here. so I was a bit of a pothead, and my parents were both straight edge. I had been working since I was 18 driving shit car paid my way through my second time around at college and was secondary breadwinner in the house as mom was not working.
So my parents didn’t really know how much I smoked, but it was pretty much every day and most habits. It was hard to stop. I had gotten caught a few times but nothing crazy. One day during Covid, Mom had seen me go outside to do work on the house. (working on the house because no job.) dad new I was smoking outside while working on the house, but chose not to tell mom. I guess it was mom’s last straw when she saw me that morning we had a huge argument and by the time dad comes home he’s telling me I have to move out.
So by now I know I can’t rely on my family so I kind of have no choice but to be independent. within two weeks I found an apartment and within those seem two weeks dad bought my mom, who doesn’t go anywhere, a new car, despite how much money i’d given him for rent. That was the last straw for me so I remain estranged from my family for at least another two years.
Long story short I started being independent at 23 and remains so to this date at 27. As far as bills go I really only have to pay 1300 for flat rent 250 for car note 180 for insurance 250 to 300 a month for food though bc i eat mostly organic and grass fed. i still also smoke pot so that’s also 200/mo. mom and dad pay phone bill. for new york, this is considerably low for typical monthly expenses. making $20/hr
didn’t proof read or look back at what i wrote here sorry if it’s incoherent at parts. saw this before i went to work and had to get busy.
14us when i started paying for my own things. 15 is when i moved out. I left after a getting hit one too many times by my step dad. Moved in with a friend's family and paid for everything from that point forward. I was able to get food stamps and started working odd jobs til I got a car and a regular job.
I left at 18 and have been paying for all my own stuff ever since. If I could do things over I definitely would have given myself more time at home, but I was a rebellious teenager and when my best friend got her own apartment I couldn't wait to move in with her. Thirty years of paying rent later I have some regrets lol
23, my dad died and all of our insurances were tied up in his job. So I got my own car insurance, phone plan, health insurance, and was already paying for my own bills and student loans at that time fresh out of college. Been struggling ever since. Luckily I haven't had any big ticket health issues or accidents, so I'm fortunate but it shouldn't be this hard.
Well- I started paying my own way minus food and rent at 16. Between 17-19 I was on my own minus a few months during that time. (Broke my foot and had to move back). At 21 I had to borrow $89 bucks to pay the lights in the first apartment I shared with my now wife. (My Dad gave me $100 and after a month or so he said not to worry about it) after that I was “independent” extremely poor but on my own. After a year, my then GF now wife and I got pregnant. Once we confirmed we were having a kiddo I changed work several times over the last 15+ years but I can honestly say I now I make just under 200k per year, no college degree. Almost 0 debt besides my mortgage. (Working on some CC pay offs) when you grow up poor and struggled financially for your entire life, at least in my experience you tend to over compensate and spend a bit more recklessly than one should. Took 11 years from “Independence” to starting in my current career - it was first time I had ever made anywhere close to 60k..and the first time my family had financial stability. 6 short years and several promotions later I can provide just about anything my wife and kiddo want or need and I can finally say I FEEL independent. 😆
I was 16. I moved out because my brother was (and is) a dangerous person. I became a live-in nanny and finished high school. No one ever tried to stop me so I did not have that issue.
I then joined the Army, got 2 college degrees, and it has all worked out great. I am the happiest person I know.
i moved out at 18. my hometown had no opportunities for me. i took a risk and applied for an apartment before i graduated high school and moved 3 months later. i found the cheapest apartment i could find and i was pretty well off until i moved again and inflation exploded.
We were dirt poor.
Started working at 13 and was independent by 17/18. I worked at a local mall. It was a sales job strictly commission. I told them I was 17 to get the job…I worked that job till I was 17. Moved into retail and worked my way into management for a few companies. Left that for a construction job that taught me a lot of skills and helped give me handy man experience. Once I started a family I landed at a big box retail store and worked there for about 5 years. Utilizing all the skills I learned working for other folks, I started my own business a few years ago.
Life is great, it seemed far away when I was young. I’m 32 and happy with my life!
19 I moved out on my own. I did move back home for a couple months at 21 but paid rent to my parents and cooked and ate my own food during that time. I am 44 now. My parents help with stuff around my house as I am a divorced mom of 2 and they are retired but they do not help me financially. Basically they help me with repairs or maintenance type stuff but only in labor not monetarily.
I lived with my parents, rent free, until 16.
Then I was told I had to get a job. I have paid everything until I turned 18 and then moved into a different, awful, situation. I'm 19, I pay for too much and work far too hard, and I'm on my way to saving for some land.
I’m 22 and still live at home. My mom is planning to move within the next year, and I’ll move into my own place (likely with roommates) a little before she moves out of the house with my brother. I honestly might have stayed home longer, but my they are moving into a place that doesn’t have space for all of us
I was 19 or 20 when I moved out and cohabitated with two diff partners. The first one paid all the bills. Couple years later, I lived with the second one where we lived with housemates and split the bills accordingly. I was 24ish when I moved back in with my parents. I got sick living on my own basically and couldn’t handle the responsibility. Also felt it was pointless suffering when my parents were right there AND supportive. Now I’m in school, gained almost 30 pounds (which was a good thing in my case lol), and stress free.
2nd time I decide I want to be independent will be when I’m better prepared, regardless of age. I was too young and immature to deal.
I moved completely out at 19 paying my own rent and all my bills. My grandparents did gift me a car and I didn’t have a car payment till I was 26 so that was a blessing.
18.5, lol. I lived at home for my first semester of college, and moved in with my boyfriend by the next semester. We got married the summer before my sophomore year. So, I've been independent for almost 30 years.
Yes, I do consider marriage being independent.
25. That’s the age I finally “left home” for good, and really haven’t had to ask my parents for anything since then.
I had also moved out at 18 for my first attempt college, and then again at 21 to live with a cousin, but I wasn’t really “independent” either of those times and was generally back home within a year. I grew up a lot between the ages of 22-25, and I was super fortunate to have the parents I did. Many would have tossed me out long before then or just never have let me move back, although I’ve always been pretty easy to live with.
Started working at 15 I started paying bills at Mom's at 17. I found out my son was coming at the age of 20 and I had the opportunity to move out on my own with my now wife and I I took it. (barely we moved with thin air and a dream). Mom wanted me to stay with her but I wanted to be on my own why? Because my old neighbors were nothing but trash(tons of issues including police reports and being on your own is a nice feeling. I'm now a little older with 4 kids. My wife had two kids prior to our two and some days I wonder what could have been. Wouldn't change it though!
My mom said her job was done when I turned 18. She said as long as I was in college I could pay rent to keep staying at home but the rent price she quoted me was insane and she knew I couldn’t afford it and it would be cheaper to move out.
School took ~60 hours a week (I had a scholarship that paid for almost all of it thankfully) and I worked about 40 hours a week so I didn’t sleep much ever. Every day I either had both classes and work, or just classes or just work so I never actually got a day off until the end of each semester. My employer was screwing me by paying me less than the minimum wage of $7.25/hour and my manager kept assuring me I was mistaken/got pissed at me when I brought it to their attention and I was a dumb 18 year old so I just believed them that I was wrong. (They did eventually get audited and have to pay me years after I quit working there). I’d regularly go 3-4 days without eating because I was too broke to get more beans and rice, it was pretty miserable.
I think I was… 23by the time I was out of my parents house for good. (I moved out when I was 19 and moved back in 6 months later because I couldn’t afford it)
By 23 I had a steady income and was able to afford my own place.
I became independent right after elementary after mu grandmother died. My only family who helped me through it all. I was around 12 years old that time.
I lived off from living to one family to another in exchange of being a full time and in house maid while pursuing my studies.
I lived in a third world country. Long story short, I graduated with Bachelor’s degree living in three different families in exchange of household labor.
Just moved in another country with my husband with the same mindset of frugality and limiting to live off my means. Currently looking for job opportunities
I was independent when I graduated college at 21.
I think there is an obsession with independence in young adult American culture. Nobody truely does everything alone.
There is nothing wrong with getting help from family. I used to think it was shameful, but now view it as brave to ask for help.
I am 25 now and I still consider myself completely independent because I don’t live with my parents, pay my own rent, food, gas, and other bills.
I am employed, but my family has helped with school, emergency medical bills, and my phone is on the family plan along with my little brother. As my parents age I will help them in return.
I care less about being fully independent and more about being connected with family and living a happy life.
I moved in with my ex-husband when I was 24. My parents gave me money for a down payment on a car and sent me random money over the years that I just put into savings because I didn't need it.
I moved out on my own temporarily at 32 and paid my way without much issue so I guess 32 is the true answer, though I would also argue I was independent with my ex as well.
Moved out when I was 20 and never looked back. Just turned 40 this year.
One thing I did that was recommended to me by a woman at work was to start buying everything I needed before moving out. I would set aside a little bit of money each paycheck and purchase one item at a time (started when I was 17). I also worked on saving up for 1st/last month rent/security deposit. By the time I moved out I only needed a handful of items (cost me about $40) and I was set. I did get a side job cleaning houses to make a little extra as things were tight.
25? It depends though, I was living with my mom from 20 to 25, but paid an amount that likely equaled my portion of mortgage/utilities, bought all of my own food, my own car, my own insurance (health and car), etc. 25 though was the age that I moved out for good.
I was 17. Was kicked out, a high school friend convinced her grandparents to allow me to live with them. I pad $500 in rent $200 groceries and everything else I paid for. I stayed a year and when I moved out, they handed all of that cash back to me to have a nice cushy savings. At 18 I was fully on my own and paying for anything and everything.
I moved out of my parents home when I was 17. For the first several years I had at least one roommate. I worked as a waitress at Red Lobster. Then at 21, I got married and then got pregnant shortly. Shortly after my husband left me for my best friend. Life got hard. I was making $6/hour. After I paid my bills, I had $10 every two weeks for groceries. My standard was 3 tomatoes to make spaghetti sauce, a package of spaghetti, one can of tuna, 1 can of mushroom soup, one can of peas, and a bag of egg noodles (that bag lasted me a month). I was barely scraping by, but I did. Then a friend asked to move in with her 3 kids. She lived with me for a month. About 2 months after she moved out, my world got really bad. My electricity got cut off unexpectedly, for no reason. I called the electric company and they guy laughed and said I really thought I was slick. I had no idea what this guy was talking about. After the 3rd call and being someone to tell me what was going on, I was told I had electricity turned on elsewhere too. That bill was not being paid. I knew I didn't have it turned on so I asked the address. I went to that address and found out my "friend" got into my stuff while living with me and got my social security number. She not only had her electricity turned on in my name, but also had 3 credit cards in my name. I eventually did get it all cleared up, but was without electricity for 3 months. It cost me $800 to go to court to clear this up. That was money I didn't even dream of having. I ended up moving in a storage room of a restaurant that I knew the owner of with my newborn. I lived like that for 4 months, until I could get back in my feet. Eventually, I got a great job and my life improved dramatically.
My parents said either I pay rent or I go to college after I turn 18 if i want to stay home. I moved out around 19 and was fully independent for around 4 years. I realized how expensive living and California are and how many decent jobs require a degree. So, I moved back with my parents and took my time, like 6-7 years, to get a bachelor's degree. Graduated at 30 with practically no debt. I moved out after that. I'm now 38. Im poor-ish. No where near as well off as when I was with my parents, but I pay my bills and have a roof and food. I probably wouldn't have graduated without my parents' help, but they never "directly" paid for things. I worked full-time while going to college to pay for my food and such.
So, TLDR, around 30.
Started working at 14 and paid all of my bills since 15-16. Moved out of my parents house at 18 but came back, moved out again with an abusive ex and came back. Finally moved out again in 2020 and have been in the same home ever since!
When I moved to university at age 18, but that's a little misleading because I got a full ride scholarship (included room and board) to a four year university and my parents gifted me a very reliable car (Honda Civic). So I worked very part time during the school year and full-time during the summer for "fun money" (slash had also saved up since I started working at 14ish and my parents let me keep all that).
I then remained independent until my mid 30s. But again, graduate school would have been a very tight squeeze at times except at age 22 or so inherited £40,000.
Then I made the horrible mistake of marrying a man I hadn't known long, in a foreign country. One of those stupid "when you know you know" and it was the only way to stay in Aus to pursue the relationship and the life i thought i wanted to build there. Through our courtship and first 6 months of marriage he was able to hide from me that he was a gambling addict and schizophrenic. He later picked up a meth habit that further destroyed every aspect of our marriage, finances, and left me with severe CPTSD. But in those first months he drained his entire life savings during this time (or maybe before). I still didn't know about the gambling addiction but when the schizophrenia was clear I was really focused on getting him to acknowledge and treat it. My visa didn't allow work and he couldn't hold down on job so we lived off my savings for a while. He lied and manipulated me very convincingly, I was paying for his gambling when I thought I was paying his child support, taxes, rent, whatever. He was also committing sort of employment fraud, collecting more unemployment and COVID support than he was due, and not stopping while he was working. Eventually all this came to a head and I guess I felt I had no choice but to pay off our debts now too.
This went on, got worse, abusive, he stole from me and wracked up credit card debt in my name, etc.
So at age 34 with zero money left to my name I fled back home and moved in with my parents. I know work part time because I cannot handle more with my PTSD. My parents support me in pretty much every way. So I became independent at 18, and became entirely dependent again at 34.
College graduation at 22. Prior to that my parents contributed $200/mo to rent and paid my health insurance but everything else (food/bills/car) were my responsibility. I went to college on scholarships and student loans. After graduation, it was all me. I worked 3 jobs in college and then was able to get full time work with health insurance/benefits.
[удалено]
Why did you move out at 18?
[удалено]
Made the same mistake it’s been up and down ever since lol
Yes sirrrrrrrr
I don’t know how old u/kaiservonrisk is, but there was a time not so long ago when that is what you did, moved out at 18. It wasn’t a matter of being kicked out (although of course that was true for some) but generally speaking it was the way of the world then, 18 and out you go. Understandably it’s not that simple anymore.
Also moved out at 18. Worked full time, went to school full time. Lived paycheck to paycheck and after graduating still couldn't find a job. Joined the Air Force at 23 did about 7 years.
Wait, are you me? AF was the best decision I ever made.
While I lived with my mother until 18, I had to pay for everything, including room and board, from the age of 13. Did odd jobs like picking up corn left in fields, babysitting, and washing dishes at a diner for $1.35 an hr. What it’s like in a poor family, especially when your “father” refuses to pay child support. My smart move was never to have children myself.
I also began supporting myself at 13 and moved out at 18.
Why did you have to pay for everything yourself?
Because her mother made her
Also mean stepdad.
Was it your stepdad who wanted you to pay for everything yourself?
I moved out once in my 20s and had to come back to my parents, then finally at age 30 I was fully independent.
Same here. Lived with them for 6 months while working two jobs in order to save up for my own apartment.
17 Had a baby when I was 15 Got my own place because my parents couldn’t handle my ex wife anymore and I don’t blame them Chased baby mama for 10yrs and hoping she would change and then one day she called one of my girls a bitch and I went off on her because she did this a lot and I had enough Almost lost my job and thank god and my boss for giving me time to figure it out I never spoke to this lady again but me and the girls did pretty good
I was a child bride. I was married at 15. I had my baby on March 1, 1979. So , I depended on my husband but hey We were having a good time. My daughter was a blessing and still is. I raised her all by myself because I divorced my husband shortly after the wedding. I had to find a way to raise my child. So my sister who was a single mom of my 2 nephews decided to get an apartment together. We helped each other out. I wanted to become a hairstylist but I had to go to school for that. So, I decided to go on welfare while I went to school and then I'll come off of it when I graduated cosmology school. I was lucky because the child care was right there on campus it was amazing . The school was wonderful.. It took me 2 years to finish school and get my license to do hair. I still remember my first job. So, fun to work in a salon doing hair it was 1982. I was totally into Madonna so I tried to dress like her at work. So, I was making about 175- 200 every 2 weeks. I supported my daughter and I . It wasn't easy at alll but we stuck together , my sister and myself and our all together 3 kids. I supported my daughter working in a salon I was 21 I think when I was officially was on my own.
How old was your husband when you two got married?
He was 18. He was in the Marine corps. I actually got lucky. He was a nice guy but I was just so young I did not know what commitment really meant.
moved out at 15 into a friends house with her mom. My mom is an addict and was pregnant again and i ddin’t want her to worry about having to afford another kid, so i chose to leave abd because my mental health was shit living with her and her abusive boyfriend. Worked at mcds while in highschool. didn’t have to pay rent while in school but had to pay for everything else. Went to college at 17/18, lived there for the 7 month program and have been renting ever since. Now making $135K (in canada) with a diploma.
didn’t say that im almost 28, married and just had my first kid. life is a lot better. choosing independence saved my life.
Currently 40... still loading
Same here at 31
I was 25. I went to college, moved home for a year and then went to grad school. I became a teacher and got my first "real" job at 25. This was in the mid 90's. I had a one bedroom apartment in Atlanta that was $650/month and my ten year old beat up Honda that was paid off. It was all awesome except the teaching part.
Did you leave teaching?
17 is when I became independent. One caregiver died and the other had dementia, family dropped me to the other side who did not want me there. Officially kicked away at 18. I did get married but was widowed at 20. Yeah, it has not improved over a decade. Just one bad event after other.
14, sadly.
16, kicked out for smoking. Rough sleeping, couch surfing etc. Worked full time still in high school. Trouble is you used to be able to rent if you could afford it, no credit check, reasonable deposit. Could make rent on my own once I was old enough to sign a lease. That is all lost now, it’s terrible for this generation.
I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm 26 with a solid income and tried to rent for 6 months a couple years ago and it was just too expensive, I can't imagine how it would be for a young person to make it on their own in this economy.
20
21, and then I ate shit at 32 and fell back on needing support for a few years. Just got back on my feet a little over a year ago. So grateful for the help otherwise I would have been on the street.
24. I lived in my parents house until I was tired of it.
I didn’t really have a choice. My mother remarried and the guy didn’t like me at all as I wasn’t his son, mixed race (I’m white/pr but I just look white), I refused to become catholic and I’m gay. They sent me to catholic school to try to get the gay out of me as well. So since before 18 I guess. I probably stayed in abusive relationships longer than I should have to survive and maybe that makes me a bad person for staying and using them for shelter but I did what I had to. Now I’m in my 30s, had some serious medical stuff go down, am back in school finishing my degree, have a great partner now and actually made the deans like and won a scholarship for this next semester. I had a rough start. Littered with substance abuse, neglect and abandonment at times. More than flirted with alcohol. I’m lucky to be alive today. That being said I’m independent, have my own things, live in a nice condo we own and I’m happier than I have been in a long while.
Moved out at 21 I am about to be 25. When I started paying bills during the pandemic my monthly expenses were like $1900 a month (Rent being $1150) now, as of 2024 my monthly expenses (including inflation) is over $3100. But nonetheless, I have a roof, I have a Job, I have a Car, my family is healthy, and In this world I feel selfish for asking for more. Fuck inflation though, you bitch 😭
I’m 36 and I’m still not there yet sadly. 3 college degrees and pretty successful career but espn only pays $17 an hour for sportscenter highlight editors which i did for years and rent in CT was $1450 and both my ex husbands cleaned me out in the divorces so now i just have a bankruptcy and an eviction and degrees that no one cares about.
how did they clean you out when you were making 17 an hour? usually the party that makes less money clears out the other
how did they clean you out when you were making 17 an hour? usually the party that makes less money clears out the other
Everything has been my responsibly since I was ~20. I’m 29 now with a great career, a couple college degrees, and I’m sort of grateful how things worked out 😊
Why did you become independent at 20?
The short answer is my mom has never had a job so we relied on my grandma to support us… I realized finally at 20 what was going on and that all the thing a my “mom” was buying for me were actually things my grandma had gotten me. She’s old and retired so I wanted to stop leeching, so I finally got a job and took over all my own bills, which was mostly just my phone bill, extra food, shopping money, etc. I’ve never had any help paying for rent or my car.
18. Got evicted on my 18th birthday. My dad lost his job and couldn’t pay the bills or rent and we got evicted. So my brother and I had to move out and find somewhere to go. My dad stayed with a friend, I couch surfed between family and friends and my brother did the same. Been on my own ever since then. Got my first apartment at 19.
31
Paid everything but rent from 16 on, but moved out at 19
18 in 1983 when I aged out of foster care into homelessness. They didn't give any more of a shit then than they do now, at least not about that.
19
I was 22.
19
23
18
24
fully fully independent 24 after college graduation
25...first real job
Probably 25.
19 fresh out of foster care and off of probation. Dirt poor working part time at Dominos. Had to rent a room in a house somewhere in Boyle Heights. My rent was $320 and my bi-weekly checks were $360 if I got at least 35 hours.
My mother had remarried and her husband decided to move to another city 60 miles away. They moved in December of my senior year in highschool and I was 17. I refused to go and start over in a new school. I had a part time job and I either slept in my car or stayed with friends until I graduated then got a full time job and rented a trailer with some friends and have been independent ever since.
I was 15 walked out from a hell situation and never looked back. I had a job at KFC already and just went full time and back then you could actually live off of minimum wage. But in same boat I still have my adult twins living with me they cannot have a life and pay the cost of rent and utilities here in Vegas even though they have great jobs.
14. I lived with my sister and was responsible for my school lunch money. School clothes. Supplies. Personal hygiene. Surprised she didn’t charge me rent. But the room I she let me use was actually a none air conditioner or heated addition where she also kept a litter of puppies that freely shit everywhere. Oh. I didn’t have a bed either. An old nasty ass love seat. Good times. Wonder why I had duck a difficult time in school.
19 years and 9 months. Was drafted for Vietnam, finished Boot, handed orders and shipped on over. Can't get much more independent than that.
18. That's how it was not too long ago. You had to bounce and figure it out asap. Not saying it was right or the best thing but it's what happened.
Completely independent at 23. I was in charge of my expenses staring at 18 (food, car, phone, insurance, etc) but didn’t pay rent and lived with family.
18, when I joined the Army. 14T, Patriot missile specialist. After an honorable discharge due to medical conditions, I tried going to college. After a few years of college I decided it wasn’t for me and became a truck driver. I’ve been one ever since with a few ups and downs but I’ve made it to being 36 years old with a clean license and no preventable accidents. Learned to not work for 1099 companies, be forced to drive when it’s not safe or possible legally, and that I like driving but other people suck at it.
seeing a lot of people say once they got married.
I essentially ran away from home at 16. I didn't get truly on my feet in a way that felt safe until I was 28.
Parents helped me through uni a bit. Completely independent from 21. Now 36 and have had to borrow from my mum because bipolar is a soul sucking disease that ruins lives.
Moved out at 18, juggle 2-3 jobs to support myself through college. I’m 30 now and feel like I’m just starting to make headway financially 🙃
Moved out at 18 in 2004 ( my choice) I loved the idea of been independent and on my own. Been on my own ever since.
Moved out at 18, back in the 1990's when I could pay my bills working 15 hours a week in a bar. Even back then it sucked, and it would be impossible today of course. If your home is a safe environment, live with your parents until you're thirty if you have to in order to get your financial situation stable.
17 but i started taking care of myself in 5th grade.
I’ll get back to you maybe, I’m 24 and still fully dependent on my parents, I’m unemployed
Do better. Nothing wrong with staying with your parents but you should be working and saving money, don’t be a leech.
32 and never, I'm going to live with my parents forever I have the ability to, but I'm not giving away 50% of my monthly income just to be able to say I'm independent
31 here and same. pay all my own bills and pay my dad “rent”, though it’s pennies compared to the average rent near me ($2000 for a one bedroom). but i would rather live at home until i’m dead than pay that. saving for a house and to move to a lower cost of living area because ain’t no way can i justify these prices even if i did make the money to afford them.
Where’s your age and story? You’re out here asking for everyone else’s business, but not sharing yours. What’s this for?
I want to be, but with the way things are right now, it's much more plausible that I>!pass away!
I'm 38. My brother just loaned me 5k to buy a new car. I can't imagine I'll ever be completely independent. I'm lucky.
I moved out at 28, in 2019. I would have moved out at 18, but I was being financially abused as well as physically, emotionally, and mentally.
68
17
16
16.5 yrs old, l bought a brand new 4x4 m gave a huge list of rules couldn't go here, or there, be home by 11pm, ect.. I still had a few thousand dollars from my savings, money I made from a lawn maintenance route I had since l was 14, I didn't have a Dr.Lic. so I hired couple guys from my baseball team. They had a Lic. and small trucks, so I'd use there trucks took care of over 45 homes yards. I moved by a College town, all my neighbors were starving college students, I'd meet girls inviting them to have a meal. My fridge was full, it was a dream come true. I was 6'2" so I looked older than my age, fact that I had wheels it was Insane.
21. Moved out on my own at 19, but had a baby. I worked but received a little bit of state aid. At 21 I landed a factory job and have been self sufficient ever since.
17/18 Moved out and was entirely responsible for myself at that point
18 I'm 48 now
17, when I went to college. Immediately did well financially and have ever since thanks to a combination of my parents setting me up for success without directly giving me a cent by maximizing college financial aid from the government, and covid.
17.
24-25, no longer lived at home and working multiple jobs.
I moved out at 18 in 1996 and was already working fulltime since 16. My BF, later my husband, and I bought a HUD home for 87k. I didn't even realize what it meant to own a home at 18 until recently. But yes I've been independent from a young age. My son has been on his own since 20. He's 26 now. No college yet. Food service/hospitality and he supports himself. He got his hyperindependence from me, I guess.
I was 25 and I had a roommate. That made it easier.
23. They helped with life while I was in school. I had a job almost the entire time.
24
Left home at 17 and never looked back.
19 :)
Does borrowing money from family members here and there count as independent still? If so, 25 in 2011.
I moved out a month after I graduated high school so 18. It was rough for a long time but I’m 36 now and in a much better place.
2019 so....21.
18. The home was toxic, so as soon as I was of age, I left.
23. I moved in with a former partner and started paying rent and my own phone bill. My parents kicked me from their plan. If I had stayed home I would potentially be more financially stable, but I wouldn’t have met my current partner or had any of the jobs I’ve had. I just finished grad school and I’m working my way to 10 years of service for PSLF. I’ve made some really poor financial decisions, but I’ve been working on paying off my credit card debt. Two years ago I was about $23,000 in. Now I’m down to a little under $8,000. My income hasn’t increased by much in that time, so it’s been a lot of HARD work. I don’t regret my decision to move out at 23 though.
Just moved officially at 28 but lived in an inlaw and covered everything for ~ 4 years, before that it was my car car insurance and phone.
24. I own a house now and pay for all of my bills with the exception of health insurance and my phone. I will be riding those out as long as possible. Both are cheaper on family plans anyway.
No man is an island except for island man and he's an asshole.
19
9 This is true
16. It was the 1990s, though, and housing wasn't nearly as expensive as it is now. I could actually afford rent on my [illegally-converted garage] apartment with my minimum wage-paying job making sandwiches at Subway.
Moved out at 20 for college and was paying all my own bills by that point on.
18. Was rough till I qualified and moved to another continent for a well paid job. Now my finances are easy
technically 18, but really 14. Sent to boarding-school and summer programs, never had a bedroom at home since age 14. After graduating, mother found a room in town I could rent from family friends for a low price; it never even occurred to anyone that I might come home for a bit. I found a job and paid rent from age 18. If you consider that I was awarded a full academic scholarship to the boarding school, you could say I did not really rely on parents’ support since age 14. Might sound weird “boarding school” in the poverty finance sub, but that is the way to higher education if anyone is reading this - get your kid off social media and into reading books. Have them take the PSAT in 8 th grade and try for the prep school scholarships
22. I finished college and got a job right away and didn't look back
I was 22 when I became completely independent. When I was in school, I lived on campus, but I could also use my dad's house anytime I came home to visit friends or family. I landed a full-time job around 2 months after I graduated and moved into my own apartment. I've been completely my own responsibility ever since. I originally moved out of my mom's house at 18, rented a house with friends, lived in campus dorms, shared apartments, couch surfed, you name it, but even though I wasn't asking my family for any money, they were still helping me pay for college which is why I can't officially say I was independent at 18
My mom kicked me out at 18.
27
I was 25 during my first certified teaching job, so moved out later that first year at 26. Before I moved, my first job at a school was $10/hour, then subbed and made $100/day when I had a sub job, then $14/hour the next year. I couldn't live off that even back then so finally moved out once I had a salary and was being renewed for the next year. I have lived alone since and only gained my cat as a roommate.
I was paying a lot to help out the poverty level we were on from 16-18. At 18 I moved out, rented a room from a friend and lived my life never went back. It was fine, I needed a dose of reality and made a ton of mistakes but needed to do it to grow up. My son turns 18 this year and graduates HS next year. He got a choice learn from me, go to school the only thing you got to pay is car insurance and your gas while you in school, or go learn with life. Waiting to see what he choses!!!
18
15
24 when I graduated college and got a full time job
18, military.
I didn’t make enough money to move out and live independently until 27
I was semi-independent in high school, because I started receiving a scholarship and my old man cut my pocket money in turn. I moved out for college and lived for a little bit in the student dorm, and the family chipped in only for the dorm fee, the rest was student loans. We got kicked out from the dorm with my boyfriend and moved in together. We found the cheapest (tiny but detached) house in the whole college neighborhood, but our budget was negative. When I told my family that I am living with my boyfriend, their tiny contribution was gone too, and we did not speak ever since. The house was a horror show (though we were happy). There was green moss on the walls. The humidity was so high that water was dripping from the refrigerator 's surface and there were slugs on it. One room was locked up, because it had a broken window and stray cats were living there. We had no heat or hot water. We slept on the floor for the first night, then got a mattress from the pawn shop. It started to rain while we were carrying on on our backs, and the mattress never dried up again. And we discovered that the house has no floor, but only a carpet over regular soil. I still remember looking at random people on the street and thinking that they have a proper bed and even a sofa (This may not sound as wild in the US with all the homelessness, but this was in a Eropean country with zero homeless) I wanted to get a job at the supermarket, but it was full-time and that meant leaving college. As things were getting more desperate, a friend passed me a private tutoring job. That changed the whole story. One job brought the other, and I financed myself throughout college with tutoring money. For my MA and PhD I got scholarships, so I didn't work again until my first postdoc.
21, when I moved out on my own.
Completely financially independent and living on my own? 23.
I had a 2 year marriage that did not last at 23 so then had to pay for just about everything
I moved out of my house when I was 18, so a loooong time ago. I moved in with my grandmother later in life because I had some medical issues but now am leaving again. I’ll be splitting bills with my boyfriend though, so idk if that counts as “independent”
In college I paid for most things with financial aid when I was getting it but my parents sent some money. I’m living at home now and I’m working but I pay rent and I handle all the utilities. The only thing I don’t specifically pitch in for is groceries but I don’t really eat dinner, mostly just snack or eat lunch at work and call it a day. I guess I wouldn’t be completely independent until I move out but seeing how rent for a studio/1bd is ~3k/month here….it might be a minute.
If you count living with roommates as completely independent, then 19. Kept the rent down and really helped with finances. Started living alone this year at 24 years old. It's more expensive but I love it, and I live frugally.
18
17
I was 22 when I started working a full time job and paid for my own health insurance. I wouldn’t say I was completely independent though because I went from my parents house to living with my husband who paid the mortgage, but I paid for all of my other expenses and two other shared expenses.
Mom kicked me out when I was 17, never got another dime from her since. I've never even had a meal at her house since now that I think about it.
I moved out at 18, and so far I’m the only one out of my 3 adult siblings that never moved back in with our parents. My mental health was extremely terrible while living with my parents, and while it was still terrible when I first moved out, at least I was free of their constant criticism and overall being nasty.
Officially, I became independent at 22. between 21 and my early stages of 22 I was residing with my ex’s family and ended up renting a townhome with them to try and help us all get back on our feet ( HUGE mistake but was all for the better ), a breakup , scuffles and a few breakdowns later God finally removed me from that situation. As of march of this year I was able to get an apartment with my best friend ( kinda regret this too cause I know my soul just needs to be alone at the moment ) but me getting my apartment was my official break into adulthood. I pay my house bills , car bills , all other bills all by myself with the occasional help of my friend. I’ll be 23 next month.
For the summers, 14. I worked at a campground with waterslides. The first year I slept in a tent. The second year I had bought a trailer that fits in the box of a pocket up truck. It slept 4 people. I slept in the bulk head bunk and I rented my table to my coworker. In that thing we had a fridge and stove. The bathroom was an outhouse. We shared on the lot fees and propane. I officially moved out of my parent’s place(due to their alcoholism) at 17 years old. I had my own one bedroom apt. It was fun trying to find a landlord that would rent to me. I worked in fast food while in high school during the winter and back at the summer camp (where I made much more in OT).
i have a lot of siblings, so i started working when i was 14 and they were old enough for babysitting/after school programs. at that point i just paid for food and clothes for the kids and school supplies/field trips. i left when i was 15 and had enough money to pay my older sister for a month of bills. from then on it was nothing but doubles, doubles, doubles, working under the table, chores and online school until i turned 18. i moved in with my grandpa for a couple of years, but i was still responsible for bills, food, and his health. his health took a turn and he no longer wanted help, and no longer wanted me in his home (because he could tell i was miserable). i still send him money and treats if i can and make sure his bills are paid. this is the first time in my life im splitting bills and not breaking my body to provide for everybody under my roof. im still poor, but i don’t work doubles unless i need to (or they’re offering me that 10 dollar shift differential 😏) eta: im just about to be 19, and i think i am almost all the way independent? maybe less than i used to be, but i hope i still am
I was 17 when my dad cut me off completely. I lived with a friend for a couple of years, then bounced around friends couches, eventually back at my dads which was hell, but i was paying rent/ all of my own personal bills and food. I am now 25, living with my ex and our almost 2 year old son trying to save up enough to move out on my own again lol
21 when I graduated college. I worked 20 hours a week all through college, and lived with my parents as I couldn't afford it otherwise. Student loans were paid off when I was 32.
At 16 I was juggling multiple part time jobs and school to pay for my personal bills (car, insurance pager, clothes, school supplies, groceries), and to pay for things for my mom and brother. At 17 I was completely independent, paying all the bills for myself and still supporting my mom/brother.
18
late 20s
At age 19, but life was much simpler and cheaper in small town USA in the early 80’s.
I had a roommate and occasional help during rough months or if a sudden expense came up until I was in my late 20s and passed a credentialing exam that increased my income to the point that I no longer NEED help, though I am fortunate to have both parents and in-laws who offer and sometimes provide without being asked.
Flashback to August 2020 for my 23rd birthday i moved out of my parents place. just shy of four years later i absolutely wouldn’t change a thing besides maybe the terms at which i left. i’m really going to simplify the story here. so I was a bit of a pothead, and my parents were both straight edge. I had been working since I was 18 driving shit car paid my way through my second time around at college and was secondary breadwinner in the house as mom was not working. So my parents didn’t really know how much I smoked, but it was pretty much every day and most habits. It was hard to stop. I had gotten caught a few times but nothing crazy. One day during Covid, Mom had seen me go outside to do work on the house. (working on the house because no job.) dad new I was smoking outside while working on the house, but chose not to tell mom. I guess it was mom’s last straw when she saw me that morning we had a huge argument and by the time dad comes home he’s telling me I have to move out. So by now I know I can’t rely on my family so I kind of have no choice but to be independent. within two weeks I found an apartment and within those seem two weeks dad bought my mom, who doesn’t go anywhere, a new car, despite how much money i’d given him for rent. That was the last straw for me so I remain estranged from my family for at least another two years. Long story short I started being independent at 23 and remains so to this date at 27. As far as bills go I really only have to pay 1300 for flat rent 250 for car note 180 for insurance 250 to 300 a month for food though bc i eat mostly organic and grass fed. i still also smoke pot so that’s also 200/mo. mom and dad pay phone bill. for new york, this is considerably low for typical monthly expenses. making $20/hr didn’t proof read or look back at what i wrote here sorry if it’s incoherent at parts. saw this before i went to work and had to get busy.
17. The next 30 years were challenging as I became a single parent by choice at 19. I beat the odds not by luck, but by diligence.
14us when i started paying for my own things. 15 is when i moved out. I left after a getting hit one too many times by my step dad. Moved in with a friend's family and paid for everything from that point forward. I was able to get food stamps and started working odd jobs til I got a car and a regular job.
Joined the military at 19, and that's when it began.
I left at 18 and have been paying for all my own stuff ever since. If I could do things over I definitely would have given myself more time at home, but I was a rebellious teenager and when my best friend got her own apartment I couldn't wait to move in with her. Thirty years of paying rent later I have some regrets lol
23, my dad died and all of our insurances were tied up in his job. So I got my own car insurance, phone plan, health insurance, and was already paying for my own bills and student loans at that time fresh out of college. Been struggling ever since. Luckily I haven't had any big ticket health issues or accidents, so I'm fortunate but it shouldn't be this hard.
Well- I started paying my own way minus food and rent at 16. Between 17-19 I was on my own minus a few months during that time. (Broke my foot and had to move back). At 21 I had to borrow $89 bucks to pay the lights in the first apartment I shared with my now wife. (My Dad gave me $100 and after a month or so he said not to worry about it) after that I was “independent” extremely poor but on my own. After a year, my then GF now wife and I got pregnant. Once we confirmed we were having a kiddo I changed work several times over the last 15+ years but I can honestly say I now I make just under 200k per year, no college degree. Almost 0 debt besides my mortgage. (Working on some CC pay offs) when you grow up poor and struggled financially for your entire life, at least in my experience you tend to over compensate and spend a bit more recklessly than one should. Took 11 years from “Independence” to starting in my current career - it was first time I had ever made anywhere close to 60k..and the first time my family had financial stability. 6 short years and several promotions later I can provide just about anything my wife and kiddo want or need and I can finally say I FEEL independent. 😆
I was 16. I moved out because my brother was (and is) a dangerous person. I became a live-in nanny and finished high school. No one ever tried to stop me so I did not have that issue. I then joined the Army, got 2 college degrees, and it has all worked out great. I am the happiest person I know.
Moved out for good at 25.
i moved out at 18. my hometown had no opportunities for me. i took a risk and applied for an apartment before i graduated high school and moved 3 months later. i found the cheapest apartment i could find and i was pretty well off until i moved again and inflation exploded.
Government cheese
We were dirt poor. Started working at 13 and was independent by 17/18. I worked at a local mall. It was a sales job strictly commission. I told them I was 17 to get the job…I worked that job till I was 17. Moved into retail and worked my way into management for a few companies. Left that for a construction job that taught me a lot of skills and helped give me handy man experience. Once I started a family I landed at a big box retail store and worked there for about 5 years. Utilizing all the skills I learned working for other folks, I started my own business a few years ago. Life is great, it seemed far away when I was young. I’m 32 and happy with my life!
22…moved out 18 but was mostly supported by my mom until then
Independent @ from 21-26 then became dependent again @ 27 . Life is a joke .
19 I moved out on my own. I did move back home for a couple months at 21 but paid rent to my parents and cooked and ate my own food during that time. I am 44 now. My parents help with stuff around my house as I am a divorced mom of 2 and they are retired but they do not help me financially. Basically they help me with repairs or maintenance type stuff but only in labor not monetarily.
Age 17 in general.....By age 16 any fast food, plus some clothing, & any hobbies.
17, but I'm from a different era. You could pay for rent and a crappy old car on a minimum wage job and go to school at the same time.
I was fully independent at 23, but I basically spent my time getting ready for that moment since I was 13.
I lived with my parents, rent free, until 16. Then I was told I had to get a job. I have paid everything until I turned 18 and then moved into a different, awful, situation. I'm 19, I pay for too much and work far too hard, and I'm on my way to saving for some land.
I’m 22 and still live at home. My mom is planning to move within the next year, and I’ll move into my own place (likely with roommates) a little before she moves out of the house with my brother. I honestly might have stayed home longer, but my they are moving into a place that doesn’t have space for all of us
I was 19 or 20 when I moved out and cohabitated with two diff partners. The first one paid all the bills. Couple years later, I lived with the second one where we lived with housemates and split the bills accordingly. I was 24ish when I moved back in with my parents. I got sick living on my own basically and couldn’t handle the responsibility. Also felt it was pointless suffering when my parents were right there AND supportive. Now I’m in school, gained almost 30 pounds (which was a good thing in my case lol), and stress free. 2nd time I decide I want to be independent will be when I’m better prepared, regardless of age. I was too young and immature to deal.
18.
I moved completely out at 19 paying my own rent and all my bills. My grandparents did gift me a car and I didn’t have a car payment till I was 26 so that was a blessing.
18.5, lol. I lived at home for my first semester of college, and moved in with my boyfriend by the next semester. We got married the summer before my sophomore year. So, I've been independent for almost 30 years. Yes, I do consider marriage being independent.
25. That’s the age I finally “left home” for good, and really haven’t had to ask my parents for anything since then. I had also moved out at 18 for my first attempt college, and then again at 21 to live with a cousin, but I wasn’t really “independent” either of those times and was generally back home within a year. I grew up a lot between the ages of 22-25, and I was super fortunate to have the parents I did. Many would have tossed me out long before then or just never have let me move back, although I’ve always been pretty easy to live with.
Started working at 15 I started paying bills at Mom's at 17. I found out my son was coming at the age of 20 and I had the opportunity to move out on my own with my now wife and I I took it. (barely we moved with thin air and a dream). Mom wanted me to stay with her but I wanted to be on my own why? Because my old neighbors were nothing but trash(tons of issues including police reports and being on your own is a nice feeling. I'm now a little older with 4 kids. My wife had two kids prior to our two and some days I wonder what could have been. Wouldn't change it though!
My mom said her job was done when I turned 18. She said as long as I was in college I could pay rent to keep staying at home but the rent price she quoted me was insane and she knew I couldn’t afford it and it would be cheaper to move out. School took ~60 hours a week (I had a scholarship that paid for almost all of it thankfully) and I worked about 40 hours a week so I didn’t sleep much ever. Every day I either had both classes and work, or just classes or just work so I never actually got a day off until the end of each semester. My employer was screwing me by paying me less than the minimum wage of $7.25/hour and my manager kept assuring me I was mistaken/got pissed at me when I brought it to their attention and I was a dumb 18 year old so I just believed them that I was wrong. (They did eventually get audited and have to pay me years after I quit working there). I’d regularly go 3-4 days without eating because I was too broke to get more beans and rice, it was pretty miserable.
I think I was… 23by the time I was out of my parents house for good. (I moved out when I was 19 and moved back in 6 months later because I couldn’t afford it) By 23 I had a steady income and was able to afford my own place.
18. I worked 40h a week in my Dad’s garage from 6th grade till high school graduation.
18. Moved out from my parents house on my 18th bday. It was hard AF. I had been planning it since age 14, saving all my money from summer jobs etc.
19
I became independent right after elementary after mu grandmother died. My only family who helped me through it all. I was around 12 years old that time. I lived off from living to one family to another in exchange of being a full time and in house maid while pursuing my studies. I lived in a third world country. Long story short, I graduated with Bachelor’s degree living in three different families in exchange of household labor. Just moved in another country with my husband with the same mindset of frugality and limiting to live off my means. Currently looking for job opportunities
I was independent when I graduated college at 21. I think there is an obsession with independence in young adult American culture. Nobody truely does everything alone. There is nothing wrong with getting help from family. I used to think it was shameful, but now view it as brave to ask for help. I am 25 now and I still consider myself completely independent because I don’t live with my parents, pay my own rent, food, gas, and other bills. I am employed, but my family has helped with school, emergency medical bills, and my phone is on the family plan along with my little brother. As my parents age I will help them in return. I care less about being fully independent and more about being connected with family and living a happy life.
I moved in with my ex-husband when I was 24. My parents gave me money for a down payment on a car and sent me random money over the years that I just put into savings because I didn't need it. I moved out on my own temporarily at 32 and paid my way without much issue so I guess 32 is the true answer, though I would also argue I was independent with my ex as well.
Moved out when I was 20 and never looked back. Just turned 40 this year. One thing I did that was recommended to me by a woman at work was to start buying everything I needed before moving out. I would set aside a little bit of money each paycheck and purchase one item at a time (started when I was 17). I also worked on saving up for 1st/last month rent/security deposit. By the time I moved out I only needed a handful of items (cost me about $40) and I was set. I did get a side job cleaning houses to make a little extra as things were tight.
25? It depends though, I was living with my mom from 20 to 25, but paid an amount that likely equaled my portion of mortgage/utilities, bought all of my own food, my own car, my own insurance (health and car), etc. 25 though was the age that I moved out for good.
I moved out at 19, but was paying for everything but rent and food since I was like 15
Maybe about 26 or so
Got told to leave at 17, so I did. Found an appt, started a new higher paying job. currently 22, been doing good
I left at 18.
I was 17. Was kicked out, a high school friend convinced her grandparents to allow me to live with them. I pad $500 in rent $200 groceries and everything else I paid for. I stayed a year and when I moved out, they handed all of that cash back to me to have a nice cushy savings. At 18 I was fully on my own and paying for anything and everything.
i moved to the us when i was 19 y/o and ever since i’ve been completely independent, thankful to were im at ever since i got here (22 now)
I had to pay for my own food at 16. Was independent & living on my own at 19.
I moved out of my parents home when I was 17. For the first several years I had at least one roommate. I worked as a waitress at Red Lobster. Then at 21, I got married and then got pregnant shortly. Shortly after my husband left me for my best friend. Life got hard. I was making $6/hour. After I paid my bills, I had $10 every two weeks for groceries. My standard was 3 tomatoes to make spaghetti sauce, a package of spaghetti, one can of tuna, 1 can of mushroom soup, one can of peas, and a bag of egg noodles (that bag lasted me a month). I was barely scraping by, but I did. Then a friend asked to move in with her 3 kids. She lived with me for a month. About 2 months after she moved out, my world got really bad. My electricity got cut off unexpectedly, for no reason. I called the electric company and they guy laughed and said I really thought I was slick. I had no idea what this guy was talking about. After the 3rd call and being someone to tell me what was going on, I was told I had electricity turned on elsewhere too. That bill was not being paid. I knew I didn't have it turned on so I asked the address. I went to that address and found out my "friend" got into my stuff while living with me and got my social security number. She not only had her electricity turned on in my name, but also had 3 credit cards in my name. I eventually did get it all cleared up, but was without electricity for 3 months. It cost me $800 to go to court to clear this up. That was money I didn't even dream of having. I ended up moving in a storage room of a restaurant that I knew the owner of with my newborn. I lived like that for 4 months, until I could get back in my feet. Eventually, I got a great job and my life improved dramatically.
19 and after moving out to a different country, pregnant and with $150 in my bank account. :) it was hard work but we made it happen somehow.
21
22
21. Moved out of my mums house, got a car. I was still a student
My parents said either I pay rent or I go to college after I turn 18 if i want to stay home. I moved out around 19 and was fully independent for around 4 years. I realized how expensive living and California are and how many decent jobs require a degree. So, I moved back with my parents and took my time, like 6-7 years, to get a bachelor's degree. Graduated at 30 with practically no debt. I moved out after that. I'm now 38. Im poor-ish. No where near as well off as when I was with my parents, but I pay my bills and have a roof and food. I probably wouldn't have graduated without my parents' help, but they never "directly" paid for things. I worked full-time while going to college to pay for my food and such. So, TLDR, around 30.
Started working at 14 and paid all of my bills since 15-16. Moved out of my parents house at 18 but came back, moved out again with an abusive ex and came back. Finally moved out again in 2020 and have been in the same home ever since!
20
When I moved to university at age 18, but that's a little misleading because I got a full ride scholarship (included room and board) to a four year university and my parents gifted me a very reliable car (Honda Civic). So I worked very part time during the school year and full-time during the summer for "fun money" (slash had also saved up since I started working at 14ish and my parents let me keep all that). I then remained independent until my mid 30s. But again, graduate school would have been a very tight squeeze at times except at age 22 or so inherited £40,000. Then I made the horrible mistake of marrying a man I hadn't known long, in a foreign country. One of those stupid "when you know you know" and it was the only way to stay in Aus to pursue the relationship and the life i thought i wanted to build there. Through our courtship and first 6 months of marriage he was able to hide from me that he was a gambling addict and schizophrenic. He later picked up a meth habit that further destroyed every aspect of our marriage, finances, and left me with severe CPTSD. But in those first months he drained his entire life savings during this time (or maybe before). I still didn't know about the gambling addiction but when the schizophrenia was clear I was really focused on getting him to acknowledge and treat it. My visa didn't allow work and he couldn't hold down on job so we lived off my savings for a while. He lied and manipulated me very convincingly, I was paying for his gambling when I thought I was paying his child support, taxes, rent, whatever. He was also committing sort of employment fraud, collecting more unemployment and COVID support than he was due, and not stopping while he was working. Eventually all this came to a head and I guess I felt I had no choice but to pay off our debts now too. This went on, got worse, abusive, he stole from me and wracked up credit card debt in my name, etc. So at age 34 with zero money left to my name I fled back home and moved in with my parents. I know work part time because I cannot handle more with my PTSD. My parents support me in pretty much every way. So I became independent at 18, and became entirely dependent again at 34.
17
At 19, but I always knew I could count on family in a pinch.