Roommate expects me to subsidize her lifestyle because we're friends
My roommate (26F, I'm 25F) and I have been living together for about a year. We're friends from college so I thought it would work out fine.
Rent is $2,100 total. We agreed to split it 50/50 so $1,050 each. She makes like $45k, I make $68k. Different fields but whatever, we agreed on equal split.
Last month she asked if I could cover her half of rent because she was short. Said she'd pay me back by the end of the month. I said fine because emergencies happen right? Never paid me back. This month she's short again. Asked if we could do a 60/40 split just temporarily because I make more money than her so it's "not fair" that we pay the same.
I was like uh no that's not how this works. We agreed on 50/50. She got upset and said I'm being selfish because I can obviously afford it and she's struggling.
But the thing is, I started tracking expenses to see if I'm actually being unreasonable. She spends like $400/month on clothes and makeup. Gets her nails done every 2 weeks at $85 a pop. Orders food delivery constantly. Ubers everywhere instead of taking the subway.
Meanwhile I bring lunch to work, do my own nails, take the train. That's how I can afford my half of rent lol. Told her if she's struggling maybe cut back on the non-essentials first before asking me to pay more. She said I'm "money shaming" her and just because I choose to live like that doesn't mean she has to.
Now she's giving me the silent treatment and her boyfriend texted me saying I'm being a bad friend and it's only like $200 more a month for me.
Am I crazy? Like yeah I make more but that doesn't mean I'm obligated to pay her share of rent while she gets acrylic nails twice a month right?
Lease is up in 4 months and I'm already looking for a new place. Done with this.
Posted Mar 8, 2026, 5:55 PM UTC