re: At what age did you become completely Independent from your parents.

When my dad kicked me out the house at 16.

Technically 18. But by age 16, I was paying for my own food, clothes, gas, insurance, etc. etc. The only thing my mom provided was a roof.

It's amazing how fast you learn to cook for yourself when you're working until 9 or ten most nights and your mom only cooks for herself and your sisters, leaving you on your own.

Officially 17 when I left for basic training 2 or 3 weeks after graduating high school (turned 18 on a bivouac at Ft. Jackson, SC). Unofficially I was on my own a year or two before going into the Army. Father died in 1966, when I was 3 1/2 and mom passed away in 1986, when I was 24, and I had been out of the country for 95% of the time from 1980 till when she passed away.

Independent streak may have started when I lived at Gulf Coast Military Academy (GCMA) in Gulfport, MS in 1971/72 for 4th grade.

quote:

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I’m talking fully untethered. They pay for nothing, you pay for everything

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17...I paid rent to my dad for a while...

18 moved out w older brother. Never looked back That was in 1978.

18 joined the service

15

22. Three weeks after college graduation. Took a week off to get moved to town where I was working, started work one week after graduation. Got first paycheck two weeks after starting work. Most of my college expenses where covered with scholarships, TOPS, and summer internships.

Completely independent? I guess you could say a year ago about the time I turned 26.

18, graduated high school, went right on to college. My family is a long long way from OT baller status. Grants, small scholarships, and student loans all the way. They didn't pay anything at all towards my tuition. But it's not like it's by choice, I know if they could have paid my entire way through school they would have.
I got part time jobs to pay for books, food, gas money. They would send me about $30 every now and then when I was absolutely starving. I went home every summer. The 1st car I drove was their old car. Instead of trading it in or selling it, it went to me. No car payments. They paid insurance, I paid gas money and maintenance. Once that car phased out literally the week of graduation. I got another older used car. My mom agreed to match whatever number I could save up. I managed to save about $1200, she came up with her own $1200. Same agreement there, I paid gas and maintenance, she paid insurance. So obviously I had some independence, but not full independence.

At 22 going on 23. I graduated college and went to live on my own with some college friends. I never asked her for money or anything. But she still paid my car insurance, and I was under her health insurance.

At 24, I started Grad school. I was given insurance through my school and assistantship program, so I was no longer covered by her.
At 25, still in Grad school. I was about to flunk out because I couldn't continue to do well in school while I'm working 2 jobs outside of my assistantship at the school. I was determined to not have to rely on my mom. It didn't work. My mom convinced me to come back home and focus on school. My pride was absolutely shot and I was extremely embarrassed, but it was probably one of the best decisions I ever made in life. I stayed for a full year. Finished grad school, didn't go into anymore debt, and really eliminated a lot of the stress that I was under.

By about 26 I just graduated Grad school, got married, and left my mom's house officially. I bought a car. I paid the down payment and the not every month
Technically I am under her insurance still, but that's because if I was to get it in my own I would have to pay about $50 higher. But I pay her every month for my portion of my car insurance.

So I didn't get fully independent from my parents until I was 26. I no longer feel bad about it.

I have a friend who moved right back home after college. He stayed there for a full 5 years. But in that time he worked the entire time, made a couple advancements in his career. But more importantly he paid off every cent of his student loans and managed to save up money for a house. I now think he did it the right way.