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Your Guide to Moving Back in With Your Parents

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Back view of a family moving boxes and items in the house from the car in this photo from Shutterstock

Moving back in with your parents is a chance to improve your finances and mental health. (Image: Shutterstock)

Moving back in with your parents isn’t a step backward, as many may fear. It can be a strategic move that sets you up for a better future. Whether you’re bouncing back from financial hurdles, transitioning between jobs, or simply saving for a major investment like a home, living with your parents can provide the stability and financial breathing room needed during transitional times.

Why Moving Back in With Your Parents Is a Good Idea, Actually

$50 and $10 bills in this image from Shutterstock
Living with your parents can mean fewer bills — and that means more money saved. (Image: Shutterstock)

At first glance, the idea of returning to your childhood home may not seem particularly appealing. The move, however, can significantly ease financial pressures. By reducing living expenses, you can pay down debts, save aggressively, and invest in your future. Moreover, it isn’t just about money. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with family, receive support, and plan your next moves without the stress of immediate bills and rent.

If your parents are willing, you could live at home without paying rent, banking every cent you earn and setting yourself up for a much more secure financial future. Thanks to the power of compound interest, every dollar you make now is worth more than any dollar you’ll make in the future — but only if you save that dollar and let it start accruing interest.

It’s not just about rent, of course. How about home-cooked meals? Those are a lot cheaper than ordering food, and a lot easier than trying to cook for yourself in a tiny apartment. And don’t forget about utilities, such as water and electricity — you may pay for them yourself in a rental, and you may not have to at home.

If you’re not earning much money to save, that’s all the more reason to take advantage of a safe spot to crash. Avoiding bad debt is one of the most important things you can do to protect your financial future.

In short: Living with your parents can be a blessing in disguise, because it can give you the leverage to jump-start your financial independence over the long term. Years from now, you may barely remember crashing in your old bedroom for six months, a year, or even longer, but you’ll have a lot more cash in the bank because of it.

Before You Move (Back) In: Setting Expectations and Boundaries

Moving back in with your parents is a pretty smart move, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy — no matter how cool your parents may be. It’s crucial to set clear expectations and boundaries before moving back in.

Begin with an open conversation about finances. Discuss whether you’ll be paying rent or contributing to household expenses. You may want to point out that living at home is about saving money, and a lower rent will help with that — but be prepared for your parents to care about how much you’re spending on entertainment or going out while at home. Remember that your parents aren’t obligated to give you free room and board. The cheaper you can make this process, the more you’ll save and the sooner it will make sense to move out again!

Clarify boundaries to maintain privacy and independence, such as rules about guests and shared spaces. Agreeing on house rules and a potential timeline for moving out can also prevent misunderstandings and help keep everyone on the same page.

Make It Count: Taking Advantage of Living With Your Parents

Yes, living with your parents can be hugely beneficial. No, we don’t expect you to love every minute of it. Where does that leave you? Simple: You should make the most of every moment you’re in this situation. Maximize your savings, set yourself up for success, and get out of your parents’ house — this time, for good.

Once you’re settled in, focus on maximizing the benefits of your situation. Use the money saved on rent and utilities to build a solid financial cushion or pay off outstanding debts. Set clear, achievable goals, such as furthering your education or saving for a down payment on a house. Treat this time as an investment in your future, planning carefully how each month at home will bring you closer than ever to your long-term objectives.

How to Live With Your Parents (Again) Without Going Insane

Living with parents can be challenging after enjoying independence. To maintain a healthy relationship, actively contribute to household chores and responsibilities. Keep communication lines open to express needs and concerns respectfully. Establish routines that allow for personal space and time.

Make sure you’re getting out of the house when you need to, and not just to go spend money or socialize with friends. Go on a nice walk or visit local landmarks (you know where all of them are, of course, since you’ve lived here before). Find ways to get out of the house without spending the money you’re saving, and your time at home will be more enjoyable.

A woman walking alongside her bike in this image from Shutterstock
Returning home means you don’t have to learn where certain landmarks are. (Image: Shutterstock)

If conflicts arise, address them calmly and constructively. Remember, external support from friends or a counselor can provide valuable perspective and coping strategies. Try to focus on your parents’ intentions — they are trying to support you by letting you move back in, after all — and do your best to forgive their inevitable overreaches. It’s natural for parents to worry about their kids and hard for parents to think of their kids as adults. It’s important that your parents try to overcome those things, but it’s also important for you to be patient with them.

While you’re living with your folks, consider helping them out. If your parents are reaching a certain age, they’ll likely have difficulty doing certain chores. Tasks such as mowing the lawn may be beyond their physical ability. If you move in with them and you’re able to, you can take up some of those chores in their stead.

Working out a chore chart seems childish, but it’ll help the entire family. Living alone means taking care of all the cleaning, cooking, and repairs. By splitting tasks with your parents, you won’t have the same level of responsibility as living alone. It also helps lower your costs. Maybe your parents would even be willing to pay for the help.

Above all, remember that this is temporary and normal. Moving back in with your parents used to come with a stigma, but now it’s widely accepted — as it should be. The volatile housing market and rising cost of living have resulted in a rise in multigenerational households. The pandemic had major, lasting effects on people’s health — both physical and mental. Plenty of people need assistance in surviving the new normal.

How to Move Back Out Again

Planning your exit is as important as managing your stay. Set a realistic timeline for moving out, aligning it with your financial goals and personal milestones. Keep track of your savings and budget regularly to stay on course. Staying motivated by visualizing the life you are working toward can help maintain your focus. As you prepare to move out, revisit your achievements and the progress made during your stay, ensuring you’re in the best possible position to take the next steps on your own.

Remember: Moving back in with your parents can be a strategic, rewarding decision. By following these tips, you can make the most out of the arrangement and set yourself up for a successful, independent future.