Who charges $500 for a family BBQ? My stepsister Karen, that’s who. Instead of paying, I decided to teach her a lesson in family hospitality—with a twist she never saw coming.

Every year, my stepsister Karen throws a massive Fourth of July party. But this year, something happened that left me FUMING…

The party was great. We laughed, ate, and the little ones had a blast with sparklers. As Karen packed up, she mentioned sending leftovers home with everyone. “Think of it as an extension of the party!” she chirped.

The next morning, my phone buzzed with a message from Karen: “Hey, your share of the party costs is $500. Send the money ASAP.” My jaw hit the floor.

I immediately called her. “Seriously??” I fumed. Karen was dead serious: “Food ain’t cheap, Everly.” My husband James suggested sending the money, but I had a better idea.

I spent an afternoon documenting every family event I’d hosted, tallying up a total of $3,750. I sent Karen an invoice titled “Fairness in Family Events.” Her response? Silence, followed by a dramatic sigh and admission she couldn’t pay.

At our next family gathering, I handed out itemized bills to everyone. The guests got the hint, and Karen bolted from the room in embarrassment. A few days later, she texted: “Fine. Let’s forget about the money.”

Looking back, maybe I went overboard. But sometimes, a touch of petty revenge is all it takes to set things straight. What do you think? Was my payback petty or a necessary lesson? Let me know in the comments!