Many people who cohabitate, be they roommates or in a relationship, have trouble deciding the best way to split household bills. Should bills be split equally? According to income? Can some portion be traded for housework? Different methods work for different situations and different people.
What Does It Mean to Split the Bills?
This is the big question here, and it can’t really be answered with one quick sentence. At its most basic level, splitting the bills is about dividing the joint expenses of a living situation between those who live there. This could be roommates sharing an apartment and splitting the rent and utilities, or it could be a couple splitting groceries, the mortgage and other household expenses.
What it means exactly to split your bills with the person or people you live with will be different, so here are some different strategies divided by situation that could work for you. Take a look!
Options for Roommates
How you decide to split the bills as roommates will be different than other situations. Most of the time you likely don’t have joint bank accounts and don’t own the property together. This distinction means that each of you are responsible for your own expenses, without any overlap. The method you choose to divide the bills should reflect that.
50/50
This one is as simple as it sounds. Everything is split right down the middle, or equally between the number of roommates. In an ideal world, the people who opt for this method earn generally equal salaries and use an equal amount of the home’s resources, i.e. groceries, utilities and living space.
Roommates often choose this method in an effort to keep things as uncomplicated as possible. Just make sure each of you are keeping track of what you’re paying for and when, to ensure things don’t get messy later. An online calculator or an app such as Splitwise can help you with this process.
Usage-Based
This is another popular choice for roommates. Sometimes one bedroom is larger, or has an en-suite bathroom or walk-in closet. To some, it seems fairer to have the person who gets to enjoy the extra amenities pay a bit more for them. A person who wants to keep the heat cranked up in the winter and blasts the A/C in the summer would then earn responsibility for that bill.
The important thing is to have a clear conversation about who should cover what under this method, and not to leave it till the bills are due. Each roommate may have a different view on ‘usage,’ so talking early and setting clear standards can help to avoid any clashes later on.
And Remember…
It’s important to be upfront, no matter the method you decide on. Have a sit-down with your roommate or roommates early and discuss how you all want to handle the shared bills. It’s a good idea to write up a “Roommate Agreement” that you can all look back on later to ensure that things are being handled fairly.
There is no perfect method for every situation, so just make sure that you’re all working toward an agreement that makes everyone feel equal.
Being partnered makes most situations a little different, and finding the right way to split the bills is no exception. The main similarity between roommates and spouses is the need for upfront communication, but sharing property and bank accounts can add another layer of complication.
Before you decide on a way to split the bills, you should settle on how you both want to organize your money. Will you keep your own personal bank accounts, move everything to joint accounts or do both?
Different options work better for different people. Some like the freedom and privacy of having their own accounts, and others like the ability to see where all the money is going. Knowing this upfront will make choosing the right setup easier.
Totally Random
Also called the ‘grab bag method,’ this one involves a lot less structure then the other methods. Whoever has the money to pay the bill at the time, pays it. This can work best for couples who either have shared bank accounts or are at similar income level, but it’s a hard method to keep track of and can create tension later on if anyone feels like they are paying more than their share.
Income-Based
In many relationships, one person earns more than the other. Say Person A makes 60% of the total household income. Under this system, Person A will then pay 60% of the household bills.
How do you calculate the percentage of household income? Add up the incomes of both individuals and then divide the largest income by that number. For simplicity’s sake, let’s say that Person A makes $60,000 and Person B makes $40,000. Together, that adds up to $100,000. $60,000 divided by $100,000 is .60, or 60%. So, Person A makes 60% of the household income, and Person B makes 40% (100%-60%).
If you’re moving into a new home together, it might be tempting to go for a more expensive place if one person makes a much higher salary. Don’t add to the pressures that can already exist when sharing a living space – get a place that both of you can afford, so one person isn’t responsible for the majority of the bills.
And Remember…
An important factor to consider when you decide how to handle your living expenses is that situations change. One of you may have a salary decrease or lose a job altogether. One of you may gain an extra bill outside the current expenses – like a sizable medical bill. Have a plan in place for how you’ll handle these situations if they arise.
Financial discussions can be stressful, but they’re always necessary. Money can really strain a relationship, especially if someone feels they’re being taken advantage of. Make sure all your proverbial cards are on the table, and be open and honest with the other person, whether they’re your roommate or partner. Don’t jeopardize a relationship over a squabble about the utility bill.
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