At 66, a couple in Sherman Oaks, California thought they’d be enjoying their empty nest.
But their 27-year-old daughter moved back in early 2024, and now they say she’s costing them nearly $5,000 a month.
The expenses include $1,500 on food, $700 on transportation, $400 for her cat, and $600 for health insurance.
“We were not planning on this kind of expenditure at this point of our lives,” the mother told CNBC.
“The reason we do it is because we don’t want to see her on the street.”
The unexpected financial strain has already changed their lifestyle.
They’ve canceled vacation plans and the father, a radiologist, is now considering delaying his retirement.
Reddit Isn’t Buying It
The story spread quickly online, especially on Reddit, where thousands weighed in. Most users had one question: How on earth does living at home cost $5,000 a month?
“That’s more than I pull in total per month and I’m a single dad with two kids,” one person wrote.
“Sounds like either rich people problems or a spoiled kid mixed with parents who can’t say no.”
Others did the math and pointed out that the numbers don’t make sense.
“$1,500 a month on food is $50 a day,” one person said. “Is she eating at restaurants for every single meal?”
Is Something Missing?
Many readers suspect the article leaves out key context. Several noted that since the daughter is 27, she can only be on her parents’ insurance if she has a disability.
“The only way this makes sense is if the daughter has complex medical needs,” one person wrote. “Otherwise, they are just spoiling their daughter.”
Another said, “If she is on one of her parents’ medical insurance plans above the age of 26, then she is medically disabled. That would explain the $5k a month of expenses… but the article doesn’t explicitly mention it.”
Blaming the Kid or the System?
Some used the story to highlight how hard things are for younger generations.
“You can be a fully employed, well-educated adult making smart financial decisions, and still lose it all within months,” one person said.
But others say the issue isn’t generational. It’s about boundaries.
“Coming home has requirements and a timeframe,” one Redditor wrote. “An adult needs to act like one.”
A Pattern, or an Exception?
Surveys show more adult children are living with their parents again, but not all situations look like this. Most people say support includes housing and food, not a $60,000 yearly bill.
Some readers speculated the $5,000 figure might include exaggerated or annual costs lumped into monthly spending.
Others think it’s just a matter of wealth and personal choice.
“Not to mention the fact that these parents have an extra $5,000 a month lying around? This situation is not at all similar to anyone I know in real life,” one person said.
What Now?
Parenting coach Kim Muench told CNBC that some parents delay retirement, forgo self-care and vacations, and feel stuck financially.
“It takes emotional maturity level on both the parents and the emerging adult side to figure out how they can work together,” she said.
Still, online reaction shows that readers want more transparency.
Until more details emerge, most people seem to agree: the numbers just don’t add up.