Adults Who Expect Their Parents To Bail Them Out Financially Usually Say 8 Phrases In Conversations
InfinityPhoto | Shutterstock There's a big difference between generous parents helping their adult children out in a difficult economy and adult children who are so entitled they expect their parents to save them from all their bad financial decisions.
Adults who expect mom and dad to bail them out aren't subtle about what they think they deserve, and they let their intentions be known in the words they use when talking to pretty much anyone who will listen. They want to enjoy the benefits of living independently without any of the sacrifice, and when the creditors come calling, they turn to their parents for rescue.
Phrases entitled adults say who expect their parents to rescue them when they need money:
1. ‘You only live once’
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People who rely on their parents to bail them out financially never actually have to face the consequences of their actions. They aren’t worried about fending for themselves without a safety net.
They can be financially irresponsible without having to face consequences. They may even pressure other people who don’t have the same support to make the same poor decisions so they can justify and feel better about themselves, using phrases like this as bait.
2. ‘I just got paid’
Getting paid is the best kind of day for someone who spends impulsively and finds any excuse to spend more than they can really afford. That's because they don’t have to worry about figuring out bills at the end of the month.
They can get away with overspending and overlooking the need to budget, because if they spend too much and happen to be short on funds at the beginning of the month, their parents will pay the difference. They don’t have to stress out about money, which makes justifying all kinds of purchases a lot easier in the moment.
3. ‘I’ll figure it out’
Even if they know that they won’t have the money to pay rent at the end of the month or to get groceries, someone relying on their parents behind the scenes to cover bills will often use a justification like “I’ll figure it out” when making purchases.
This is especially true right when they get paid, and it feels like they have endless options for how to spend. They’re much more impulsive. All their money feels like fun money if their parents Venmo them for groceries and rent every month.
4. ‘I’ll just put it on my credit card’
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Credit cards can be especially dangerous for people who aren't financially adept. When the money doesn't come out of your bank account immediately, it almost feels like it's free.
Experts believe using a credit card for purchases actually sparks the brain's reward center associated with the pleasure of spending. They don’t have to deal with the pain of paying in the moment, making it easier for someone seeking comfort or enjoyment to spend without thinking.
It's even more rewarding when there are no consequences to a credit card bill that they can't afford. They expect their parents to rescue them, and the cycle continues.
5. ‘I'll pay you back next week’
There’s a reason why Venmo culture is such a hot topic right now. People are chasing down dollars from friends and sending reminders on Venmo requests because they’re struggling. The $10 they spend covering a friend’s lunch could actually help them get to work the next day or buy their own groceries.
But when someone never feels the stress of sticking to a budget, they don't feel urgency about paying people back either. Even though they could clearly ask their parents for money, their priorities are completely skewed.
6. ‘Just call your parents’
It's inconceivable to someone who expects financial help from their parents that anyone in their peer group would be different. If a friend says they can't go on a weekend trip because money is tight, their knee-jerk response is to tell them to ask their parents for the cash.
Psychologist Jeffrey Bernstein, Ph.D., explained that parents are very much part of the problem when their adult children think they are entitled to their money. He noted, "When you repeatedly rescue your adult child financially, then you are sending a message (like it or not) to your adult child which is: 'I’m not sure you can manage money and handle your life without me.'" Adding, "That message, by the way, is not a financial confidence booster, to say the least."
7. ‘I have expensive taste’
It’s usually the people spending other people’s money who have expensive taste, because it’s a lot easier to buy luxury goods you can't afford when you’re not footing the bill. They can justify overspending on clothing or organic grocery deliveries because they’re not pinching pennies to afford their rent.
They always have someone to save them, and they don't feel guilty about it.
8. ‘I deserve it’
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People who spend money they don’t have are quick to find any excuse or justification for their irresponsible behavior. Especially if they have a constant backup plan with their parents for the bills they can’t miss, they’ll give themselves a little treat and cope with complex emotions by shopping whenever they want.
Instead of going through the discomfort of living within their means, which would seriously help them grow and evolve, they enjoy being frivolous because there's no reason to change.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor’s degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
