[BigFish12]

"only to realize very late that they were simply playing me to accumulate wealth for themselves and whomsoever they considered dear."

As someone starting out a pretty successful career with a not so wealthy background, I also feel that I will soon need to give of my personal gains to my close family out of a sense of personal duty. Which doesn't really bother me, as I am very grateful for what they have done for me and they would have probably done the same for me if the roles were reversed. My question is why do you feel that they played you? They asked for too much? They asked too often? They were not grateful? You were expecting things that they did not do for you? Could you please elaborate more on this?

[drieddust]

Yes they asked for too much and demand increased as my income levels grew so watch out for this behaviour. I would say decide what you want to share and keep the boundaries clear.

I don't mind giving at all. It's getting fooled part which pinches.