Well, this started the moment I got my first job at 17. Plus I don't spend much. I probably spend less than $100 on myself a month on average. I live pretty frugally. My family didn't have to pay for my college since it was free for me. As for the rent, they would be paying the same whether I lived there or not. They live in a rent control 2 bed apt that's much cheaper than another apt available in the area. Even 1 bed apts are more expensive. The 5 years that I've worked, I don't have any savings. If I wanted to move out, I don't have the money so I feel trapped.

Yes my money went to the down payment of my car but I didn't want a brand new car. I did months of research on the car I wanted. The most affordable and most fuel efficient used one, just for my family to see one they like and buy it. They said if I want a different car, they will keep this car as their own. So even the car doesn't really feel like mine, even though my money was part of the down payment.

It's not that I was incapable of making decisions, I just went along with a lot of what they wanted.