My parents did not believe in allowances, because they were absolute control freaks, and didn't want us to be able to buy anything they didn't approve of.

When I got my first job, I was expected to start paying "rent" which was always the total amount of my paycheck (of course I learned to lie about what I was making and hide money.) I resorted to credit cards as an escape, and now I am $45,000 in debt. Thanks a lot, Mom and Dad!