When parents gave sons $50K for homes but not daughter, she and her husband took matters into their own hands

When it comes to financial support within families, some children receive more assistance than others. This can lead to unexpected situations, especially when money and family expectations collide. A woman, u/Important-Writing889, shared her experience on Reddit, revealing how her parents gave large financial gifts to her brothers but told her to rely on her future husband instead. When they later gave her the same amount for her wedding, she made a choice they did not see coming. 

The woman explained how her parents had been generous to her brothers when they graduated from university. "My parents gave each of my brothers $50,000 when they graduated from university as a down payment on their home," she wrote.

However, when it came to her, the situation was different. "When I graduated, they did not do the same for me. I asked about it, and they said my husband should provide [for me]. I wasn’t married; I still lived at home," she added.

Years later, she met her now-husband, and after dating for a year, they became engaged. Her parents were overjoyed. When a wedding date was set, they gave her a check. "When we set a date, they gave me a check for $50,000 to pay for the wedding," she wrote.

Instead of using the check for a lavish wedding, the woman and her husband eloped and used the money for a down payment on a house. "My husband had a similar amount saved up, so we are in a good spot with equity," she wrote.

Her parents were furious when they found out. "They said they gave me the money for a wedding," she explained. "My argument is that I got married and had leftover money. Accurate in my books." Her brothers, who received the same sum in the past, sided with their parents. "So I am here to ask if I’m in the wrong," she asked people on the platform.

The woman’s story quickly went viral, with users offering their opinions. Some applauded her for taking advantage of her parents’ generosity, while others criticized the situation.

u/NurseExMachina replied, "I would invite them to an impromptu wedding ceremony in the backyard of your new house and thank them for funding this special day." u/Longjumping-Lab-1916 added, "You found a loophole. It seems odd they gave you the money outright VS paying the wedding invoices. Sorry, your parents have double standards." u/l52286 pointed out, "You did, in fact, use some of their money towards a wedding and they did come, so they have no right to be angry."

u/Good-Statement-9658 agreed with her approach, saying, "Gifts don’t come with strings attached. Methods of control come with strings attached. Good for you on cutting the strings. They gave you $50k for your wedding. You used the money for the wedding. They didn’t specify how much you had to spend." u/mastimama0722 commented, "I tip my hat to you, smart move. What your parents did sounds like what mine would do. They’ll get over it." u/Rawrsome_Mommy wrote, "You accepted money for getting married and then you got married. Your wedding didn’t cost as much as they expected. If anything, they should be proud of you being fiscally responsible."