Sharing an apartment with a roommate can be a blast—like living in a sitcom where the laughs come easy and the snacks are plentiful. But when it comes to splitting bills, things can turn from fun to awkward faster than a reality TV show contestant’s elimination. Let’s dive into some savvy ways to keep the harmony while you tackle those monthly expenses like rent, utilities, and groceries.

Let’s say you and your roommate have a cozy little setup where the rent and utilities total $1,900. First off, it’s essential to clarify who pays what. Generally, rent is the big ticket item, so splitting it down the middle is a good starting point—$950 each for rent. Utilities can be a bit trickier since they fluctuate. You might want to split those based on usage or keep it simple with another 50/50 split.

Now, groceries can be a whole different ball game. If you’re both cooking up a storm, it might be fair to take turns buying the essentials, or you could go Dutch on a grocery run each week. But what if one of you is more into avocado toast while the other is living the ramen noodle life? In that case, you might want to track what each person spends and adjust your reimbursements accordingly. It’s kind of like crafting your own financial buddy cop movie—who’s in charge of what, and how do you balance the scales?

This is where technology enters the scene like a superhero in a blockbuster. Using apps like Splitwise or Venmo can save you from the awkwardness of cash transactions and remind you that splitting bills doesn’t have to feel like a math quiz. With Splitwise, you can add expenses as they come up and keep track of who owes what in a super user-friendly interface. It’s like having your own personal accountant, minus the briefcase and the tie. Plus, it sends friendly reminders, so no one has to feel like the bad guy asking for money.

If you’re more of a spreadsheet fan, creating a shared document might be your jam. You can create a simple table where you list each expense, who paid it, and how much is owed. It’s straightforward and gives you both visibility into your financial partnership. Just make sure to keep it updated; otherwise, it can easily end up like that one episode of your favorite series where everything goes haywire.

Another tip is to set up a joint account for shared expenses. This could be your dedicated fund for rent, utilities, and groceries. You both deposit your share each month, and then you use it to pay the bills. Just remember to keep an eye on it—like that time you binge-watched a series and forgot about laundry day.

Ultimately, the key is communication. Sit down with your roommate and discuss expectations and preferences. Make the conversation as light-hearted as possible—maybe even throw in a few friendly jokes or pop culture references to break the ice. When both of you are on the same page and feel comfortable with the system, it makes living together feel more like a buddy comedy and less like a drama series.

So, whether you’re team app, team spreadsheet, or team joint account, the goal is to keep things fair and friendly. After all, a harmonious living situation makes for more time for Netflix marathons and late-night chats, which is what it’s all about!