How much $ do you give your parents every month?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I really hope all parents think that way, but sadly, not all parents think the same way as you do... When I was taking home around 2K, I gave my parents 500... and my parents still complained that it's peanuts. If I spend money on things I like, they never fail to mention that I still owe them money. And seriously, I've never thought of wanting to inherit whatever they have anyway. But they constantly remind me that if I don't listen to them or obey their wishes (which can be quite unreasonable), I won't be able to get their money.

Unless you are quite a high earner... otherwise, remind them back that if they continue to be unreasonable and don't understand that you have financial commitments as well, no one will send them off for their last journey too.

I earn $50k pa, I give my parents (combined) $10k pa. 20% of my income. Am I filial enough? Should I give more? I'm struggling to make ends meet.

It all depends. The other factors to consider if $10k pa is sufficient are:

1. Are your parents working?
2. Do they need to pay for regular medical treatment / medicine?
3. Are you staying with them? (If so, are you helping to pay the bills?)
4. Are they still taking care of your younger siblings?

By the way, Filial piety cannot be measured by the amount that you give.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I earn $50k pa, I give my parents (combined) $10k pa. 20% of my income. Am I filial enough? Should I give more? I'm struggling to make ends meet.

[Dean]

For monetary allowance, I give abt 800pm to my parents. (abt 12% of pay)

Along with food, hp bills, misc expenditure, comes up to about 1200 - 1400 (~18%) a month.

Hoping to do more, but I do have my own considerations, as everyone else does...

house
car
kids
utilities
insurances
food / grocery
an occasional indulgence or 2

[Dean]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

contribute 10% instead.

Dude, I feel your pain.

I guess it depends on:
Where your parents are dependent on that monthly allowance. If not, then perhaps you could have a talk with them about your 5-10 yr plan, and how does the finances fit into the picture. I know for many people, the allowance is a token; of filial piety, and the parent do not need those $$. I hope this is your case.

If your parents are dependent on the allowance, for example my parents, who have retired and do not have any savings, then unfortunately, contributing a substantial amount for monthly allowance is necessary.

Good points, but you missed out one important thing. There is a distinction between allowance and monthly contribution to your parents. When my parents told me this, it didn't sink in at first, but now I do. I was then still staying with my parents.

My parents made it clear to me that my allowance to them should be separate from the money I contribute to the upkeep of the family household expenses such as food, bills, repairs, and medical bills. What that meant was that should there be a shortfall to the household money, they expected me to help top that up with my siblings, and not expect them to take it out from their allowance.

Since then I divide my monthly contribution to my parents as follows:

Household expenses : $500
Parents allowance : $500 (both)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

It all depends. The other factors to consider if $10k pa is sufficient are:

1. Are your parents working?
2. Do they need to pay for regular medical treatment / medicine?
3. Are you staying with them? (If so, are you helping to pay the bills?)
4. Are they still taking care of your younger siblings?

By the way, Filial piety cannot be measured by the amount that you give.

got give some, whether more or less, at least better than nothing.

my SO's brother and brother's wife use the air-conditioner every night, even on cold, rainy days and for several hours in the day as well cos the wife is a foreigner and doesn't work, so she's at home in the day.

Monthly water/electricity bills (for five) ~$400 mainly due to this (probably 50% for air-con) and his brother hasn't been giving any money since he got married almost two and a half years ago and started working two years ago.

All the while, their father hasn't been in good health, needs to go to the hospital every now and then for check-ups and is on a liquid diet, whereby the mlik costs $400 a month, so the expenses are higher than usual already and he also retired recently.

Imagine still eating into their parent's retirement funds to pay for monthly electricity bills (>2k a year based on $200/month) when the father is not in good health and needs to keep the money for his own medical expenses.

Now their mother is still working but cannot imagine when she retires also in a few years time, do they need to keep paying these not-so-cheap electricity bills just bcos their son and dil are so oblivious to their circumstances.

Of course, his parents are not entirely blameless for being soft and letting them be.

Originally Posted by Dean

Dude, I feel your pain.

I guess it depends on:
Where your parents are dependent on that monthly allowance. If not, then perhaps you could have a talk with them about your 5-10 yr plan, and how does the finances fit into the picture. I know for many people, the allowance is a token; of filial piety, and the parent do not need those $$. I hope this is your case.

If your parents are dependent on the allowance, for example my parents, who have retired and do not have any savings, then unfortunately, contributing a substantial amount for monthly allowance is necessary.

same here

father retired, 0 saving, i give 800/mth to him, additional if required 100-200 more for medical/dental, if got his relative married, the red package 100 also i bao, got people die the white gold also 30-50 i settle.......and he say not enough....-_-".

moi another sibling also give 800 to mum....
mum is housewife


am i ok?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

same here

father retired, 0 saving, i give 800/mth to him, additional if required 100-200 more for medical/dental, if got his relative married, the red package 100 also i bao, got people die the white gold also 30-50 i settle.......and he say not enough....-_-".

moi another sibling also give 800 to mum....
mum is housewife


am i ok?

What exactly do your parents spend on?
1600 for two adults, 500 for household purposes, $5x3x2x30=$900 for food if they dabao everyday, still have $200. Unless hes taking care of your kids then thats another matter.

If they're staying in a flat on their own, they can rent out a room for an additional $500~600.

I earn $3200 pm. I give my parents $400 pm each ($800 pm in total).
Is this ok or too little?
Am I a filial son?