Living Together Shouldn't Mean Money Drama

Roommates share a lot: space, WiFi, the last of the milk. But nothing tests a living situation like unclear finances.

Who paid for toilet paper last time? Did everyone chip in for the pizza? Why is the electric bill so high this month?

Here's how to split expenses with roommates in a way that's fair, transparent, and drama-free.

What Expenses Should Roommates Split?

Always split:

• Rent (usually by room size or evenly)

• Utilities (electric, gas, water, internet)

• Shared household supplies (toilet paper, dish soap, etc.)

Sometimes split:

• Groceries (if you cook and eat together)

• Streaming services (if everyone uses them)

• Takeout for the house

Don't split:

• Personal groceries

• Individual subscriptions

• Anything only one person uses

Method 1: The Shared Spreadsheet

Create a Google Sheet where everyone logs what they paid for. At the end of the month, calculate who owes whom.

Pros: Free, transparent

Cons: Requires discipline, easy to forget, math-heavy

Method 2: Take Turns Paying

One person pays for groceries this week, another pays next week. Rotate responsibilities.

Pros: Simple to understand

Cons: Uneven if purchase amounts vary, hard to track

Method 3: Use a Receipt Splitting App

When you buy shared groceries or household items, scan the receipt in Checkify, mark what's shared, and send Venmo requests to your roommates.

Pros: Fair to the penny, instant requests, no monthly reconciliation

Cons: Roommates need Venmo (but who doesn't?)

How to Handle Groceries

The key question: Do you share food or buy separately?

If you share: Take turns shopping, or split every grocery run using Checkify. Assign shared items (eggs, milk) to everyone, personal items to individuals.

If you don't share: Keep groceries separate. Label shelves in the fridge. Avoid the "who ate my yogurt" conversation.

The "I'll Get You Back" Problem

Roommate IOUs are where money goes to die. "I'll get you back" turns into "wait, did I already pay you for that?"

Solution: Request payment immediately via Venmo. Even if it feels awkward at first, it's way less awkward than a $200 mystery debt six months later.

Conclusion

The best roommate expense system is one you'll actually use. For occasional shared purchases, Checkify makes it easy to split receipts and get paid back instantly.

Download Checkify → and keep your roommate relationship about Netflix arguments, not money ones.