i don't because my parents aren't stingy
it's very much a culture thing though, i've only seen this with british/western families
To me it makes no logical sense......
Were they going to rent out that room anyway? probably not
Would their bills be any higher? marginally - the heating would be the same, the water would be the same if it's not metered, the only difference is electricity
Would food bills be any higher? only marginally
yet some people's parents are demanding 280? **** me..... personally i'd tell my parents to **** off and find another cheap source of income if they were so desperate for money. Just seems like a cheap shot to me....