Redditor Wants To Celebrate Promotion With A New $2,500 Gaming PC — But Mom And Dad Are Saying No

In a candid post, a Redditor in their mid-late 20s opened up about feeling like a failure for still living with their parents and working a minimum wage job. They explained that a small upcoming promotion—complete with a modest pay bump and room to grow—felt like a rare moment worth celebrating.

The OP shared that they’ve had their eye on a new gaming PC, especially since their old laptop is barely hanging on. The $2,500 system could be bought outright or paid off in smaller installments, and the OP insisted they can afford it without straining their finances.

But when the Redditor mentioned the plan to their parents, both in their mid to late 50s, the response was… not great. Instead of sharing their excitement, the OP’s mom launched into a rant about saving for a house, preparing for bills, and not wasting money on something “just for gaming.”

The ironic twist is that the OP already helps with household expenses by paying their parents $500 every other week—or at least once a month—an arrangement that’s practically a bargain in today’s brutal housing market. They argued that this contribution should give them some freedom to spend their own earnings how they see fit.

Still, the criticism left the Redditor doubting themselves and wondering whether their mom might be right. But their friend insisted the opposite, saying the OP deserves to treat themselves and enjoy something that might even help ease their stress before the promotion test.

Now the OP feels stuck between doing what makes them happy and avoiding yet another household blow-up. So they turned to the internet to ask the big question that every young adult has wondered at some point: would they be the jerk for buying the PC anyway?

The criticism left the Redditor doubting themselves and wondering whether their mom might be right.

AI-generated image

Here's the original post by Reddit user 'Material_Ad_6543'.

I (late-mid 20s) still live with my parents and basically a failure working a minimum wage job. I am about to get a small promotion that'll bump my pay up a couple dollars and has potential to be even more later. I wanted to celebrate a little and buy myself a new gaming pc since the old laptop I'm using is on its last legs. It was about at $2500 pc that I can pay off in smaller amounts a month if i wanted, but I have no trouble paying now. I told my parents (mid to late 50s) that i wanted to buy it, but they basically forbade me from buying it. My mom eventually ended up ranting that I should be saving money for a house, saving money for bills and that its useless to buy a pc just to game. I do end up paying my parents $500 every other week or at least once a month to try and help them with bills which is a steal in this housing market considering apartments go for more than that. I'm starting to think she's right and that I shouldn't buy it, but my friend said that I should be able to buy it since it's my money and it'll help calm my nerves a bit (since the promotion would require me to pass a test). WIBTA if i bought it without my parent's consent?

Here’s how the Reddit community reacted.

Bundt-lover

YWBTA.

dumpythpumpkin

You’re not an adult!

Lo_Van2U

YTA.

Working_Mail264

That’s a bit steep.

_chill_wave_

“You want to spend money like an adult, be an adult.”

QueenHelloKitty

You’ll regret it later.

old_motters

You sound childish.

starksdawson

Adults don’t mooch off their parents.

Plus_Concern6650

Might be time to move out.

Worth_Highlight_9660

Use that money to move out.

Majestic_Republic_45

You must be joking.

Extension_Hand1326

Your parents are ready for you to go.

Aware_Welcome_8866

In the end, the OP’s dilemma taps into a crossroads nearly every young adult faces: the struggle between practical choices and the rare joy of treating oneself. Whatever path they choose, it’s clear they’re not alone—thousands of readers are weighing in, reminding the Redditor that growth often starts with trusting their own judgment.