Splitting Roommate Expenses

[roomie]

I'm hoping that somebody can help me find a solution to my problem. I live in an apartment with three people. It's me and two other guys. We split all the expenses one-third to each of us which is fine with most things, but it's a huge problem when it comes to food. The guys eat five times as much food as I do, but I have to pay a third of it each month. That may not sound like a big deal, but I calculate it's costing me an extra hundred dollars a month for food that I'm not eating at all. I tried to talk to them and explain how this isn't fair, but they always say that when we agreed to get the apartment, all expenses would be split three ways. I think this is absolutely ridiculous and I think they're trying to take advantage of me. What are my best options in the situation?

[cypher1]

We split all the expenses one-third to each of us which is fine with most things, but it's a huge problem when it comes to food. The guys eat five times as much food as I do, but I have to pay a third of it each month. That may not sound like a big deal, but I calculate it's costing me an extra hundred dollars a month for food that I'm not eating at all. I tried to talk to them and explain how this isn't fair, but they always say that when we agreed to get the apartment, all expenses would be split three ways.

I only have one roommate, but in my experience always buy your own food. Keep everything separated. It's simple: if it not yours, you don't eat, take or use it. No complications with that.

While I have no issues sharing kitchenware, my roommate has a separate set for cooking, and mostly uses paper plates/plastic cups to skip on dishes.

As for utilities, I could understand that still be split evenly though. My 2 cents.

[MonkeyMama]

I never shared food with roommates. I'd just tell them that you are going to buy your own food from now on.

Living with three boys (two are under 13!) I can totally relate. If these were my roommates and not my family, no way would I pay for all that food!

[snafu]

Was the initial agreement that all expenses would be split three ways? Did you agree to the three way split? If you're mostly happy with the other factors you can grin and bear it, lobby for a change in the agreement, or flat out refuse to pay 1/3 food and buy, prep and cook your own food. They may go along to get along or might seek another roomie and ask you to leave.

[disneysteve]

Splitting fixed expenses is fine: rent, phone, cable, internet, utilities.

Splitting consumables is not fine: food, toiletries, alcohol, etc.

Do you split the cost of shampoo and soap or does each guy buy his own? I suspect the latter. Food should be no different. If one guy wants to eat filet mignon every night, he shouldn't expect the other two guys to subsidize the cost.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I agree that food is likely to be a personal expense, not a joint expense.

[disneysteve]

Of course food is a little tough because you may want to share common things like condiments, cooking oil, spices, etc. And you may not have room for 3 gallons of milk, 3 cartons of orange juice, 3 dozen eggs, etc. You somehow need to work out a system that makes sense for everyone and for your available space.

[rennigade]

When I was in college we rented a house, 5 of us. I had a mini fridge in my room with some shelves I stored all of my food on. Simple as that. I never kept any food in the kitchen. There's your solution. Get a mini fridge, throw in an extra $10 a month for electricity. Winning!!

[btctony]

I'm with everyone else on this one. Why would you be splitting the cost of food? I own a home and rent out two of my spare bedrooms to friends. I charge them a flat rate. Utilities are included. They pay the extra rental fee, if they want a cable box in their room.

Every now and then one of us will cook a meal and offer it to each other, but that's pretty much planned ahead of time and due to our busy schedules, it doesn't happen all that often. I frequently eat leftovers just so I don't have to cook every night, so I certainly wouldn't like it if I got home from work and someone had eaten what I was going to have for dinner.

[roomie]

Was the initial agreement that all expenses would be split three ways? Did you agree to the three-way split?

Yes, this was the initial agreement, but it wasn't really discussed. Someone just threw out the idea of splitting everything three ways and everyone just kind of agree to it. It's not a problem with the general expenses. For example, one of the guys works out a lot so he takes two or three showers a day. That's more than I take, but I really don't have a problem with that because I'd rather he smelled descent then only take one shower a day. But the food is a whole different category.

I'm going to try and have a talk with them again to explain my side, and I hope it goes better than the first time. It's just that they eat so much food compared to me. I know that they don't want to change it because it means that they would have to pay a lot more in food costs because basically I'm subsidizing them at the moment. I have my fingers crossed that the talk goes a bit better this time.