Daughter earns Rs 40,000, father takes all the money: 'Financially abusive' parents leave her with nothing

While many young professionals look forward to financial independence after entering the workforce, some face restrictions that prevent them from managing their own money. Instances where parents or family members take control of salaries are increasingly being discussed as a form of financial abuse.

One such case has come to light through a Reddit post where a 27-year-old woman described how her father takes away almost her entire salary, leaving her with barely any money for herself. The experience has drawn widespread attention online and opened up conversations about boundaries, independence, and financial rights within families.

Salary Taken, Freedom Restricted

The woman, who works in finance, said she earns around Rs 40,000 per month but is only permitted to keep Rs 3,000 for herself. According to her, her parents insist that the remaining amount be transferred into accounts managed entirely by them. She added that these funds are placed into fixed deposits and investments, but she is not given access to the money nor allowed to make decisions about it.


She further shared that this arrangement has been in place since her first job in 2018, when she was earning less than Rs 10,000. Despite multiple attempts to resist or delay transferring her salary, she claimed that her parents insist on it every month, and any pushback results in emotional confrontations at home.

Motivation Loss and Frustration

The woman admitted that the lack of control over her income has affected her personal and professional life. She said she rarely buys clothes, struggles to enjoy outings with friends, and cannot afford vacations. Even in her relationship, she feels uncomfortable relying on her partner to bear most expenses.

She also expressed that the situation has left her feeling demotivated at work, as any salary increase would not translate into more financial freedom. Alongside the stress, she revealed that she has been battling depression and anxiety, for which she is currently on medication.

According to her post, attempts to open a new bank account were unsuccessful because her parents forced her to add her mother as a joint account holder. The passbook is kept with her mother, and her mother’s mobile number is linked to the account, leaving her with no direct access to her savings.

She said that living independently in Mumbai is financially difficult due to high rents, making it hard to move out despite wanting to reclaim her independence.

Reddit Reactions: Calls to Reclaim Control

The post drew significant responses on Reddit, with many users labeling the situation as "financial abuse". Several commenters advised her to open a separate salary account without her parents’ knowledge and redirect her income there. Others suggested that she contribute a fixed amount towards household expenses but retain the right to manage the rest.

Some urged her to move out, even if it meant starting in shared accommodation or paying-guest facilities, arguing that such a step would offer more freedom than being left with only Rs 3,000 a month. A few even went as far as to recommended seeking legal advice.

While some users empathized with her parents’ traditional outlook, most emphasized that adults should have control over their earnings. Many pointed out that financial dependence enforced through parental authority can cause long-term harm, especially to self-esteem and motivation.