Money and family are two topics that are often a disaster when mixed. Still, most people have no choice but to do this from time to time, especially when they are younger and need help gaining their independence. Many a parent and child relationship has been damaged by either side taking liberties, freeloading, and even just straight-up stealing from their close relatives.

When you are the person on the receiving end of this unsavory behavior, dealing with it without doing further damage to yourself can be a delicate process. Standing your ground is important, but it goes without saying that you can expect pushback. There are few things that get people riled up like the matter of personal finances, not least when they have been doing something with them that they shouldn’t have been. Owing money is often awkward, and being in that situation under false pretenses is even worse.