Khrystyna Kushniriuk, 29, medical research co-ordinator

her Income: $50,000 per year

her parents: Olexandra Kushniriuk, 50, pharmacy technician, and Volodymyr Kushniriuk, 57, tech associate at a plumbing company

The place: A three-bedroom detached in Islington

KHRYSTYNA: I studied life sciences at U of T. By the time I graduated in 2010, I owed $30,000 in OSAP loans. I got a job at St. Michael’s Hospital as a research assistant in the cardiology department, but my ultimate goal was to become a doctor.

I applied to an MD program at a university in Poland. I got in, but tuition alone cost $16,000 per year and living expenses were an additional $15,000 per year. I needed another OSAP loan and asked my parents if they could co-sign on a student line of credit from the bank. They’re very supportive, so they said yes.

When I arrived home from Poland in 2015, I moved back in with my parents. I had a consolidated line of credit totalling $130,000, and the debt was crippling. I felt guilty every time I spent money. Eventually, I decided not to apply for a medical residency because the stress of the job was affecting my health. Fortunately, I got my job back at St. Mike’s, and I was soon promoted to research co-ordinator. Now about 60 per cent of my paycheque goes toward my loan payments. I’m finally starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I’ll be debt-free in three years.

My parents understand my financial position. They’re not pressuring me to move out, but the house is pretty cramped. My dad snores, so he sleeps in the basement. I sleep in the same room as my mom; we share a queensize bed. My 23-year-old brother has his own room. There isn’t a lot of privacy, but that’s okay, because we all have different schedules. I stay at my boyfriend’s house most weekends.

I buy groceries and toiletries for the household as needed. My chores include doing the dishes every day and walking our dog, Rush. On the weekends, I clean and do laundry for the whole family. I want to get a place with my boyfriend, but we’ll probably have to wait until I get a raise or a new job.