<prompt> Human: In 2008, I was in college and engaged. We were married before we graduated in 2009. Together, we had 42,500 in student debt and 9,000 in credit card debt for the wedding--most of which my parents paid for. Me and my husband never had equitable incomes. I didnt have my skills coming out of college cries and hugs liberal arts degree, so I ended up moving to my husbands hometown to follow his career. He became a tech at a prestigious recording company making 90K a year. I became a waitress for around 22K. That was 2009. By 2013, we were getting divorced; like a Lifetime movie, he was fucking his coworker who, to put icing on the cake, didnt even know he was married. For those who dont know, divorces are hard and expensive. After two years, I came out of it with 23,500 in student debt and 6,000 in credit card debt.22K, in the city we lived in, could hardly put food on the table. I couldnt go back to my husband, so I went to my parents. They helped me with my rent about 8,000 over the course of two years so long as I pursued something with real career opportunities. I went back to community college and got myself a specialized degree. By working full time and getting my parents help, I was able to pay off the loans I took out for that program. I was able to defer my student debt, and could make minimum payments on my credit card.So, June 2016. I graduate. My parents offer that I can come back home and live with them for a year while I get on my feet. I decide to take them up on their offer and move across the country. I quickly found a job paying 80,000. My parents offered that I could stay with them for a year while I aggressively paid my debts.Then, my father, whos 61, suddenly lost his job.He used to do quite well 180,000 a year, so I never worried about him. I found out that he lost his job this morning... along with the fact that my mother has 52,000 in credit card debt, they have a 3,500 mortgage and storage payment every month for the next five years, have my sisters in-state tuition payment plan about 8,000 a semester, and, the kicker, have 0 saved for my youngest sisters college education. She is the familys academic; she is currently 2 in her class and has her sights set on an Ivy, which she has a great chance of getting into. Turns out my parents have been banking on scholarships for school. Shes a junior now, and has 0 guarantee that shell get scholarships at all.My parents laid out all of their finances in this way--omitting how much Dad has saved in retirement and how many credit cards Mom has--and concluded with, Youre the only breadwinner now.They expect me to pay for everything. Everything.I found this out this morning so Im still in a state of shock, but I cant help but feel overwhelmed. They helped with my wedding, my divorce, and are now giving me a free place to stay for a year. However, between taxes, my debt, and my parents debt, I cant even make monthly payments. Their mortgage alone leaves me with 500 for healthcare, car payments, credit card payments, and student loan payments--not nearly enough. My mothers credit card debt, at minimum payment, is 1,375 a month. Shell end up paying 87K in interest if she just makes the minimum payments. My sisters need to go to school, and I need a place to sleep. I cant let my parents go into destitution, yet I dont know what to do. Help? --- tl;dr: My parents have hundreds of thousands of debt that they want me to take on. What do I do, especially when Ive benefited from their kindness so much? How do I figure out whats reasonable? How do I keep my own sanity as a grown woman?FWIW: My parents house is worth about 550,000. X-posted to rrelationships  <response>: My opinion is that you need to return the kindness and generosity that your parents offered when you were in trouble. But look at the facts: You can not be the breadwinner. You can contribute heavily but you do not make enough to cover costs. Most Ivy leagues will cover some if not all of the tuition based on how much money the family makes. If your sister does gain admittance this is a once in a lifetime chance and my opinion is that all of your financial support goes to her. Your Father andor Mother need to reenter the workforce and likely at a reduced salary. If your mom has never worked before give her your waitressing apron.Im a new father and I expect to help out my children as much as possible in life and would never expect them to carry the burden that your parents have heaped on your shoulders. But you have this incredible opportunity to do something great and that is helping out your younger sister. You can try to help out your parents but understand that the help they provided to you did not mean that they had to give up the lifestyle that they were used to. The burden you posed to them was nothing like the burden they are now placing on your shoulders. 