We can all agree that things are financially tough out there, and many people are working multiple jobs and cutting every corner they can, even the amount of food they're able to buy and eat, to try to make ends meet.
So when we come across someone living in what looks like an easy financial situation, that can be really hard to accept.
Back in May 2023, TikToker Grace Lemire revealed why she had chosen to continue to live at home in her parents' house, despite being a 24-year-old college graduate with a $150K income from her freelance marketing business.
But Lemire argues that while she is in a quality financial situation, she is by no means a freeloader, despite the fact that she was living rent-free and did not have to cover any expenses in the home.
Lemire came prepared with four reasons why she was still living with her parents:
"One: Free rent. Duh."
"Two: I'm an entrepreneur, so my income changes a lot."
"Three: I wanted to make sure I pay off all of my student loans before I moved out of my parents' house, and I'm getting really close to doing that."
"Four: I don't know where I want to move!"
You can watch the video here:
Some reassured Grace that they were in similar situations and encouraged her to stay as long as she could.
@grace_lemire/TikTok
@grace_lemire/TikTok
@grace_lemire/TikTok
@grace_lemire/TikTok
@grace_lemire/TikTok
@grace_lemire/TikTok
@grace_lemire/TikTok
@grace_lemire/TikTok
Others gave Grace advice about how to finally take the plunge and make a move into her own place.
@grace_lemire/TikTok
@grace_lemire/TikTok
@grace_lemire/TikTok
@grace_lemire/TikTok
@grace_lemire/TikTok
@grace_lemire/TikTok
Though some of the comments on the video allude to "all of the negative comments," and while other publications have noted how "divisive" this video was, all of the negative comments have been deleted or hidden.
There were surely some comments that questioned Grace's motivations or why she wouldn't assist with some of the expenses around the home. Not only was she not required to pay rent, but her parents were still covering her insurance and cell phone bill as well, and there was no mention of her assisting with other expenses like groceries or gas.
Some were also probably resentful of not being able to find a similarly high-income job or to have the kind of relationship with their family that would be required to live like this TikToker does.
In a follow-up video, Grace addressed some of the negative comments that appeared at The Daily Mail.
These comments confirm our suspicions, with some calling the 24-year-old "lazy," "spoiled," "materialistic," "disillusioned" and a "freeloader."
The TikToker appeared very defensive against these comments and mocked them instead of having a constructive conversation about the differing opinions and concerns that are often found around money.
You can watch the video here:
Since posting her "Why I Live at Home" video in May 2023, Grace has since searched for an apartment in Boston, Massachusetts, instead of moving to Santa Monica, California, and she recently selected a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment.
The TikToker has also continued to be transparent about money by creating a series called, "What I Do and Make in a Day as a 24-Year-Old Full-Time Freelancer," and also a series called, "What I Spend in a Week as a 24-Year-Old Living in Boston, Massachusetts."
In both of these series, Grace offers walk-throughs of her tasks and decisions, as well as a full monetary breakdown, including fees and other sneaky expenses that have a way of adding up fast.
