> At a Glance
> – A 16-year-old fast-food worker says her parents rifle through her room and drain her $11-an-hour wages
> – Her dad texted a photo of the $170 she hid in a lunchbox, joking the cash belongs to “the owner of the house”
> – Reddit users urged her to open a secret bank account and check her credit for fraud
> – Why it matters: The post highlights how financial control can cross into emotional abuse, even in seemingly normal families
A teenager’s Reddit thread exploded after she revealed her parents rifle through her room, photograph her secret cash stash, and claim her earnings belong to them because “it’s their house.”
The Cash Grab
The 16-year-old works at a fast-food restaurant for $11 an hour and hides about $170 in a lunchbox to keep it safe. While she was out, her 35-year-old parents sent a text asking for money, then followed up with a picture of the bills in her dad’s hand.
> “Oh good then someone just left this laying around… since it’s not urs… I guess it goes to the owner of the house,”
her father wrote, adding that her mom needed cash for clothes and didn’t want to stop at an ATM.
The teen says her parents constantly make her pay for coffee runs and other purchases without warning, draining most of her paycheck. They also refuse to let her get a driver’s license yet complain about driving her around.
Boundaries Blurred
After she confronted them, the parents insisted the threat was just a joke and got angry that her room was messy. They said they would take the money if she didn’t clean up, then backtracked when she complied.
- She has two younger siblings, ages 5 and 15, who she claims receive favored treatment
- Both parents earn above minimum wage yet still lean on her earnings
- She wants to move out, believing “our relationship will be better when I’m not under their roof”
Reddit responders urged her to open a savings account her parents can’t access and check her credit report for unauthorized accounts. One commenter stated:
> “Don’t excuse them using your money because they’ve bought you stuff… that’s called parenting.”
Key Takeaways
- A teen’s hidden $170 was photographed and threatened by her own parents
- Online commenters label the behavior financially and emotionally abusive
- Opening a private bank account and monitoring her credit were the top pieces of advice given
The story underscores how blurred boundaries around kids’ earnings can escalate into intimidation, even when no cash ultimately changes hands.
