QI work for a small firm (15-20 attorneys) in a big city on the West coast. I also went to law school in the same city and, to save money, lived with my parents while going to school. It paid off, as I now have half the debt of most grads and was able to weather joblessness during a particularly rough ninth month period after taking the bar.
The thing is, I still live with my mom (and my stepdad) even though I’ve been employed at my law firm for about four years now. I help around the house and pay nominal “rent” but otherwise use most of my salary to pay down my law school loans. Because she lives in a pretty tony area of town, when I tell people where I live people probably think I either a) make crazy money or b) married someone rich. It’s neither, and you’ll have to press me to admit I still live at home.
I’m 32. I want to keep paying down my law school loans and have them paid off within three years. Yet it’s getting hard for me at the firm (or elsewhere) to keep up the pretense of living independently. Occasionally, some of the other associates have people over at their places, making me think I should reciprocate. Basically, should I move out or stick it out? And what should I tell people?
ADude. People don’t think that you make crazy money. They don’t think you hooked up with a rich wife. People think you live with your mom. Own up to it. Hell, have your associate colleagues over as a coming out.
When lawyers are living with their moms then maybe living with mom into your thirties is the new normal, the Italian way to do things stateside. Or Indian. And who can blame you? It’s a cold harsh world out there and you’ve managed to do two of the three required adult tasks 1) get a job; and 2) buy a car (I’m assuming you at least own a car). But it’s time to go, at least soon. Seriously. You’re a lawyer. Not some freelance web designer or meat waiter at Fogo de Chao.
Then again, maybe all you do is work as a lawyer and eat meatloaf occasionally with mom. Maybe mom doesn’t crimp dating, partying, and playing Skyrim on the XBox. Maybe you don’t mind the jokes because, in the end, you’ve got a big financial leg up when you move out. Just don’t tell me you also party with mom. Or she makes your bed. Or that she still picks out your clothes each morning. Don’t tell me that. But at least own up to living with mom and go from there.
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