Roommates and Finances Don’t Mix. I Learned That the Hard Way.

I learned the hard way that roommates and finances don’t mix. Whether it was deciding the amount of rent each of us would pay based on our room size and amenities, buying household cleaning products, and splitting furniture, things didn’t always run smoothly.

My roommates and I decided to split all of the big-ticket items in our apartment, despite that being an arguably bad idea. This included our sectional, washer and dryer set, dining room table set, coffee table, and outdoor furniture. All of which we found on Craigslist or from family friends in outstanding condition for being used. Why did we decide to split instead of individually purchasing these items? That, I don’t know. I guess the idea of paying for a small portion instead of the total amount sounded like a good idea at the time.

We had a tight budget when it came to furnishing our apartment, especially for a couch. We were adamant about finding something that would fit us and our friends comfortably without breaking the bank. We also wanted something that looked decent and fit our aesthetic, as in something that didn’t belong in the basement of a fraternity house. We hit the jackpot when we found a couch that satisfied all of our needs, as it put us out only $100, was gently used and sat around eight people. I came across survey results that revealed 50% of people spend 7 or more hours a week on their couch, and I can certainly vouch for that. Whether we were doing homework, eating dinner, or having Game of Thrones viewing parties, our sectional was a comfy sanctuary to relax and entertain.

Proving that splitting furniture isn’t always the best idea, upon our lease ending, my roommates and I fought over the couch. Nobody, including myself, wanted to part ways with it because we knew we’d never come across such a nice couch for that price again. We went back and forth for weeks on who would get the sectional but it ultimately came down to who asked for it first and needed it most, and that person wasn’t me. This was also the case for our other large purchases like the washer and dryer and dining room table set. In the end, I had to think about what was fair for my roommates and take my selfish reasons out of it. I was moving back home with my parents and wouldn’t need any furniture, so this meant I was vetoed from the get-go.

If there’s one thing to be learned, keep finances as separate as possible from your roommates. If everyone has their money and feelings invested into one item, it’s hard to come to an agreement and could end up damaging relationships. As obvious as this may sound, under no circumstances is a couch worth leaving on bad terms with your roommates.

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