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This is part two of a five-part series on solving all-too-common roommate issues that arise when you move into your first apartment after graduation (click here for part one & part two).

Today’s common problem is one we’re all familiar with: Money. We all know how tight finances can be right after graduation - you’ve spent all of your hard earned savings in the weeks between graduation and starting work. You’ve spent money on a security deposit, your first month’s rent, and furnacing your new digs. Money’s tight and you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck. If that situation sounds familiar than you probably know that few roommate issues are tougher to deal with than money. If your roommate(s) isn’t paying their half of the bills on time, your temper will understandably flair.

photo credit: Ianan

Here, just like with all other roommate issues, communication is key and nipping the problem in the bud early will prevent a lot of headaches down the road. If you don’t want to continuously remind your roommate to pay up until everyone (including yourself) is sick of hearing about it, try keeping track of who owes who money (and how much) on a dry-erase board. Put it somewhere visible, like the side of the fridge, so everyone is aware of their financial situation and are constantly reminded to write those checks.

Or, if you’re comfortable enough with it and know that everyone living in your house will continue to live there for a long time to come, try opening a joint checking account. Have every roommate deposit the same amount of money into the account each month, so that when it is time to pay bills everyone pays equally without any hassle.

What have you tried? Did it work?

Stay tuned tomorrow for part three.

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