I pointed out that many people were coerced into student loan debt.

She said they should grow up and support themselves.

This was quite ironic coming from a twentysomething who lives at home rent-free.

A mother and daughter sit on the couch after an argument.

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To teach her a lesson, I tried to charge her rent.

When she didnt pay, I threatened to kick her out, but she knew I didnt mean it.

Im kidding, of course.

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That money grows tax-free when invested in a college plan.

You dont have to agree with that decision.

But remember: This wasnt your money to begin with.

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If you choose to continue your education, you still have plenty of options.

Its always disappointing when we dont get what we expected.

But Im simply trying to explain the reasoning that may have been at play here.

In the meantime, heed your own advice.

Paying rent like a self-supporting adult is a good place to start.

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Now back to you, letter writer.

I have to wonder if your daughter is used to toothless threats from you.

You threatened to kick her out if she didnt pay rent.

But so far, shes correctly called your bluff.

Thats often what happens when someone actually has to face negative consequences for the first time.

That doesnt mean you were in the wrong for doing so.

But plenty of people choose to delay college for a number of reasons.

You say you thought your daughter had learned her lesson.

But Im curious: What exactly is the lesson you thought shed learned?

Did you think shed learned her lesson just because she hadnt posted about deadbeats andstudent loan forbearancein a while?

take a stab at ignore her social media posts.

Theyre largely a red herring, albeit a very annoying one.

A persons actions say a lot more than their words can convey.

So far, your daughter hasnt started paying rent or enrolled in school.

So I think that tells you a lot more than whatever she posts online.

Now its time to follow up your words with actions.

Make your daughter sign a lease and set up automatic transfers each month.

But make it clear that there will be consequences if she doesnt live up to what she agrees to.

Those potential consequences include getting kicked out of your home.

Thats what eventually happens to grown-up, self-supporting people if they dont pay their rent or mortgage.

Your daughter may have chosen not to attend college for now.

But dont let her avoid the school of life any longer.

Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

Send your tricky money questions to[email protected]or chat with her inThe Penny Hoarder Community.