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

A 28-year-old Redditor thought a promotion deserved a little celebration, so they went shopping in their head for a $2,500 gaming PC. Not a reckless impulse buy, they said, more like a “my laptop is dying and I finally got a bump in pay” upgrade.

But the celebration ran straight into mom and dad’s rules. The OP, still living at home and paying $500 every other week or at least once a month, told their parents they wanted the PC. Their mom shut it down with a full-on rant about saving for a house, saving for bills, and how gaming hardware is basically pointless.

Now the OP is stuck wondering if they’re being selfish, or if their parents are right, and the comments are not helping.

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

AI-generated image

Original Post

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

This is similar to the sandwich shop owner who got mad when someone stopped tipping after prices increased.

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

The whole thing turns tense once the OP’s mom starts listing “house” and “bills” like the gaming PC is the reason the rent is high.

It gets messier when the OP points out they’re already paying $500 every other week, arguing that’s not exactly freeloading.

Then the friend shows up with the “it’s your money” argument, while the parents basically treat the promotion like a receipt that doesn’t count.

By the time Reddit hits them with “You’re not an adult” and “might be time to move out,” the OP’s celebration idea feels like a trap.

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.

The OP wanted a new rig for a calmer mind, but now they’re questioning whether they should even want it.

Still arguing over money rules, check out how this guy tipped the DJ after you covered everything.