5 Tips On How to Survive Living With Roommates

A recent study found that around one in three US adults lives with at least one other adult roommate. If you’re not the only one on your lease, you’re not alone.

Living with roommates can be a lot of fun–and financially necessary. However, it’s not always easy to keep things peaceful in a shared living environment.

What can you do to make things a little less stressful and a little more copacetic in your home or apartment?

Read on for five tips that will make living with roommates easier and more relaxing for everyone.

1. Set Up Automatic Bill Payments

One of the biggest issues roommates have with one another comes down to money. When someone pays a bill late, it can create a bad situation for everyone. Avoid late payments by automating everything, from your internet bill to your rent payment.

2. Talk About Cleaning–and Actually Do It

Your room is your business, but common areas should be kept tidy out of respect for everyone who uses them. The problem is when one roommate is doing all of the cleaning while the other is making all the mess. Come up with a cleaning schedule that works for everyone and actually stick to it.

3. Work Out the Food Situation

When you buy groceries, are they off-limits for everyone else in the house? Is sharing okay, but only to a certain extent or with express permission?

Truth be told, sharing groceries can be the most financially wise choice in a house of roommates. However, everyone needs to be on the same page and contributing to the household’s stock of food. Cooking meals together can be a good solution—have a look at these great one-pan dinners you can make with your roommates!

4. Set Ground Rules for Visitors and Noise Levels

From the get-go, everyone needs to get on the same page when it comes to visitors and noise levels. It’s disrespectful to throw a party (or even a kickback) without consulting your roommate first. Remember, you may have different comfort levels, which means you need to compromise–no “my way or the highway.”

5. Avoid Passive Aggression

At the end of the day, surviving living with roommates comes down to communication. If you notice something that isn’t working for you, find a constructive way to address it and do so in a calm, timely manner.

Don’t bottle things up. Don’t leave passive-aggressive notes. Don’t change your attitude toward your roommate in the hope that they’ll understand why you’re mad–they won’t unless you tell them.

Don’t Lose Your Cool Living With Roommates

Chances are, you’re going to be living with roommates at some point in your adult life. With these five tips, you can ensure that you all survive the experience and maintain a positive relationship throughout.

Looking for ways to spruce up your living space? Take a look at our interior design tips and find out how you can build your dream home (or apartment) on a budget.

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