If it so happens that you’ve got a son or daughter living at home who is of age and gainfully employed, but seems to have little motivation or inclination to “launch” themselves and assume the responsibilities of rent, utilities and other costs associated with living on their own, try the following tactic – assuming you believe it is time for them to leave.

Charge them a monthly rent, and have them pay 25 percent of the monthly utilities. Also have them pay a fixed sum for food and other household expenses, again monthly. As you collect the money each month, place it in a savings or money market account.

Then, establish a firm date for when you want them out, and stick to it. You know your child best, what’s reasonable? One year? Eighteen months? Please, two years maximum.

At the end of the time period you’ve specifically defined, give them back all of the money and add that they’ve got 30 days to find a place of their own.

Accomplishments? You’ve conveyed the importance of them contributing to their own subsistence and they’ve got a stash of cash to get started. That’s win-win in my book, and it keeps your relationship with them on firm ground by elevating personal responsibility.