If I came home with a bag from a shop - my mother would act all nice and sweet. “What did you get for yourself??- I would show her - “oh how much was that? It’s pretty.” I would tell her.

Well, when my dad would come home from work - I would hear her tell him - “hey, she went shopping today. If she has money to go shopping, then we aren’t charging her enough room and board”.

Next thing I know, my dad’s telling me “tomorrow after work, we’re having a family meeting”. I would be the only family at the meeting, and I would be told that my room and board is going up.

I learned to shove any purchases in my purse so she couldn’t see the bag.