I'm trying to do you split expenses fairly when roommates have different incomes

Hey James, I've been in a similar spot with roommates where incomes varied a lot, and we found that splitting rent proportionally to income worked well without too much hassle. First, everyone shares their monthly take-home pay anonymously if that helps avoid judgment, then you add up the total income for the household. Divide each person's income by the total to get their percentage, and apply that to the rent and utilities bill. For example, if the total rent is $1500 and you make 40% of the group's income, you'd pay $600. This keeps it fair and simple, especially on a tight budget.

We used a shared Google Sheet to track everything, updating it monthly for utilities so no one has to chase payments. It took us about 15 minutes to set up initially, and we revisited it every six months if incomes changed. This method avoided resentment because it felt equitable, and we all agreed on it upfront during a casual group chat over pizza to keep things light. If someone's income is super low, you could cap their share at a minimum to ensure the bills get covered without anyone feeling burdened.

Ah, back in my day, we'd gather around the kitchen table with our printed pay stubs and a stack of old CDs playing in the background, figuring out the bills the simple way. Everyone chipped in based on what they could afford, like the one with the better job covered more of the rent while others handled groceries - it kept things fair and friendly. You kids today have apps for that, but nothing beats that nostalgic feel of hashing it out together over coffee.

Use an app like Splitwise to track expenses and split them proportionally to income. Calculate each person's share as their income divided by total household income, times the bill. It's free and quick, fits your budget and time limits.

Use income-based ratios for rent: your share = your take-home income divided by total incomes and times the rent. Split utilities evenly to keep it simple. Track in Splitwise or a shared sheet and review once a semester.

I used to lose sleep over this, constantly worrying if we were being fair or if someone felt ripped off. We'd argue about every little thing, from rent to toilet paper. Then we tried a simple ratio: add up all incomes, figure each person's percentage, and apply that to total costs. It wasn't perfect, but it stopped the fights. We reviewed it every few months to adjust. Now it's just routine, no more anxiety.

Back when we were printing photos and burning mix CDs and our house used a cheerful little formula: each person pays rent in proportion to their take-home income, utilities split evenly. We set it up once on paper on the fridge and never argued again. It felt fair, and the lower-earners could breathe while the higher-earners still paid less than living solo.