• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Budgeting / Debt Relief
  • Home / Health / Auto
  • Credit Cards & Scores
  • Tax Tips
  • Kids / Students & Money
  • More
    • Electronics & Gadgets
    • Health & Beauty
    • Hobbies & Crafts
    • Home & Garden
    • Jobs & Money
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Travel

Personal Finance Guide

Real People. Real Experiences. Real Helpful.

a Fun Times Guide site

search

Home » Jobs & Money » Home / Health / Auto » Should You Find A Roommate To Save On Housing Costs?

Should You Find A Roommate To Save On Housing Costs?

Pin
Share
Tweet

We write about products and services that we use. This page may contain affiliate links for which we receive a commission.


find-a-roommateIs finding a roommate worth it?

College students do it.  Young single adults do it.  Siblings do it.  The best TV shows have even been based on it.

Roommates can make a lot of things easier including making it easier to pay your monthly house payment!

However, roommates aren’t for everyone.

Here are some things to think about before you try to find a roommate…

 

PRO’S: Reasons To Get A Roommate

  • Getting a roommate would enable you to stay in a safe place affordably.
  • You will split your housing cost, thus leaving more room in your budget for other things.
  • You can find a lifelong friend and kindred spirit to hang out with.
  • Having another person around can provide a measure of safety.

 

CON’S: Reasons To Not Get A Roommate

  • While you’re ultimately trying to save money, if it goes wrong, it could end up costing you a lot more money than you’ve saved.
  • Even the best roommates move on.  People get married, change jobs, and have life-altering issues which arise unexpectedly.
  • You might pick a “crazy” person.

 

How To Find A Roommate

You seldom hear about good roommate experiences, because there isn’t a whole lot to tell.  (That’s a good thing.)

On the other hand, roommate horror stories are not hard to find. Deadbeat roommates are even worse — because you may actually like them as a person, yet find it hard to tolerate their failure to pay rent and other inconsiderate actions.

If you are going to find a roommate, here are some reputable resources to consider:

  • Roommates.com
  • EasyRoommate
  • Roommate Click
  • Roommate Locator
  • Roomster.com

 

Personally, I would avoid using message boards to find a roommate but Craigslist is another popular option.

 

Questions To Ask Prospective Roommates

What are your pet peeves?
They may hate rap music, and you may love it. Pet peeves can be irritating enough to cause problems.

Do you drink or smoke, and how much?
You don’t want to live with anyone whose vices are out of sync with your own.

Can I visit where you’re currently living?
This will give you a good idea of what they consider to be “clean”.

How often do you have visitors and who are they?
You may not want their mom or their boyfriend/girlfriend staying for a week at a time.

What time to you wake up, and what time do you go to sleep?
You don’t want someone who will keep you up or who you will be afraid of waking.

Have you had roommates before? If so, why did it end?
If they complain about the other person too much, or about several people, this should be a red flag.

Do you have any pets?
You may choose to allow small pets, or only certain pets… it’s completely up to you.

Do you have any special house rules you would like to suggest?
These will be very telling.

 

Here are a few other things you may want to consider when getting a roommate:

  • Be very clear about everyone’s roles in the house concerning chores, bath schedules, etc.
  • Getting a housekeeper could help to avoid arguments over cleaning.
  • Roommates are more bearable when you have lots of space, so don’t let it get too crowded.
  • Do a background check, including a criminal report and credit check.
  • Get personal references (especially from their last roommates)… and take the time to call them!
  • Place locks on all bedroom doors.

 

Required Reading For Prospective Roommates 

10 Tips For A Good Roommate Relationship

How To Be A Good Roommate

Roommate Rules

How To Find A Roommate Fast

 

Andrea
Andrea

I have been a certified tightwad striving for financial freedom since I became pregnant with my first child — and I decided to find a way to stay home with him full-time. I enjoy sharing my personal experiences in my journey back to financial health and planning for a future — which will include sending 2 kids to college and early retirement.

Pin
Share
Tweet

Filed Under: Home / Health / Auto, Jobs & Money Tagged With: home buying, saving money

Primary Sidebar

About Us

LynnetteWith input from Financial Advisors, (a Tax Accountant and an Investment Manager), I share helpful tips regarding money and finances -- including debt relief, insurance, budgeting, and investing for retirement. My goal is to help you save more, spend less, and invest for the future by sharing honest, tried & true budgeting tips and tools. When I'm not saving for the future and helping others save for theirs, you can find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

Lynnette: View My Blog Posts

AndreaI have been a certified tightwad striving for financial freedom since I became pregnant with my first child -- and I decided to find a way to stay home with him full-time. I enjoy sharing my personal experiences in my journey back to financial health and planning for a future -- which will include sending 2 kids to college and early retirement.

Andrea: View My Blog Posts

Top Searches

auto insurance bankruptcy banks books car buying charities childcare Christmas clothing and shoes college consignment and thrift stores credit cards and gift cards credit rating death and dying debt relief frugal tips gas and car costs gifts grocery shopping health insurance home buying homeowners insurance identity theft investments jobs life insurance loans monthly bills and utilities office items and housewares online shopping organizing tips phone restaurants retirement saving money selling things senior living Spousal issues stocks student loans and financial aid tax credits and deductions Taxes 101 tax updates today's economy traffic tickets

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
Fun Times Guide logo
Shop Our Favorite Items

Copyright © 2004-2021 The Fun Times Guide | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | Sitemap