Mayo guides·Money·5 min read

Splitting utilities, groceries and supplies

Rent is one bill. Everything else arrives at different times, in different amounts, paid by whoever happened to be home. This is the simplest system that stays fair.

If you only read this

  1. 1Fixed bills split equally. Variable bills split equally unless someone is away.
  2. 2One account holder per bill, rotated so nobody is always fronting money.
  3. 3Everyone settles on the same day each month.

Three kinds of bills

  • Fixed and shared: internet, streaming, renter's insurance. Split equally, every month, no discussion.
  • Variable and shared: electric, gas, water. Split equally unless someone is away for more than two weeks.
  • Personal-ish: groceries, toiletries, cleaning supplies. Decide once whether you pool them or not.

One person pays, everyone settles

Each bill needs one account holder. That person pays the provider on time and is owed by the others. Rotate account holders across bills so nobody is always fronting money.

September, four people

Electric (Sam pays)
$256 → $64 each
Internet (You pay)
$80 → $20 each
Water (Priya pays)
$48 → $12 each
Owed to Sam
$64 from each of three

Instead of six small transfers, net it out. Jordan owes $96 in total and sends it to whoever the house agrees is the collector that month.

Groceries: pool or don't

Pooling works when people eat similar amounts and shop together. If one person is vegan and another lives on takeout, keep groceries separate and pool only the staples: oil, salt, paper towels, dish soap.

Set a due day

Everyone settles on the same day each month, a few days after the biggest bill lands. One date is easier to remember than five.

Fair isn't equal. Fair is what everyone agreed to before the bill arrived.