She Strengthens

The Dark Side of Shared Finances: Women Share Their Horror Stories of Living with Financially Toxic Roommates

When Roommates Become Financial Burdens

For many of us, our first experience with the dangers of mixing money with others comes in the form of roommates. It’s a crash course in learning how to navigate different financial situations, priorities, and lifestyles. But what happens when one roommate’s financial irresponsibility starts to affect the others?

The Struggle is Real

I’ve been fortunate enough to avoid serious financial struggles with my former roommates, but I’ve learned that it’s essential to be with someone who shares your financial values and outlook. As someone who’s pursued a career in freelance writing, I know that my unpredictable income and unconventional work hours make me a less-than-ideal roommate. Looking back, I was probably the financially toxic one, and I learned that it’s better for me to pay more to live alone.

Lessons Learned from Financially Toxic Roommates

I wanted to hear from women who haven’t been so lucky. They shared their stories of living with roommates who made what should have been a fun adventure into a stressful and financially draining experience.

Erin’s Story: The Well-Meaning but Broke Roommate

Erin, 27, had a roommate who was in Americorps, making very little money. While she supported his decision, being his roommate was rough. He couldn’t afford to pay his share of the bills, and Erin had to float his expenses, which made her feel awful.

Nadia’s Story: The Disrespectful Roommate

Nadia, 28, lived with four people in a big house after college. She took the lead on making shared Google Sheets to keep track of expenses, but one roommate, Dan, refused to open the documents, disputed food purchases, and wouldn’t contribute to shared accounts. Nadia left after a year, feeling frustrated and relieved.

Alison’s Story: The Unreliable Roommate

Alison, 26, lived with a friend who rented on a month-to-month basis due to her unpredictable finances. Each month was a different story, and Alison never knew if she’d be stuck with the rent. The situation ended badly, with Alison feeling angry and relieved.

Sara’s Story: The Trust Fund Kid

Sara, 23, lived with a college roommate who was a trust fund kid and didn’t care about money. She wasted everything, from food to utilities, and didn’t understand why Sara was upset.

Janae’s Story: The Financially Unstable Friend

Janae, 30, lived with her best friend, but their financial differences caused tension. Janae wanted to live a certain lifestyle, while her friend couldn’t afford it. They decided not to renew their lease, and their friendship is better for it.

Michaela’s Story: The Drug Dealer Roommate

Michaela, 25, lived with a drug dealer, thinking it would be a fun and cool idea. However, the constant stream of drug users and buyers made it a terrible living situation.

Caro’s Story: The Cheating Boyfriend Roommate

Caro, 26, lived with her boyfriend in a shared bedroom, but when they broke up, things got ugly. He started charging her down to the penny for everything they shared, making her feel trapped and miserable.

These stories serve as a reminder that living with roommates can be a financial minefield. It’s essential to communicate openly about your financial situations, values, and expectations to avoid tension and stress. By sharing their horror stories, these women hope to warn others about the dangers of financially toxic roommates and the importance of being mindful of your financial relationships.