"I'll pay you back" is one of the most common phrases between roommates, and also one of the most commonly forgotten. The problem usually isn't dishonesty — it's that nobody wrote the number down.
Agree on a system before the first shared expense
Before you split your first grocery run or electricity bill, agree on how you'll track it. This removes the awkwardness of bringing it up later, because everyone already knows the rule.
- Every shared expense gets logged the same day, by whoever paid.
- Split equally by default, unless someone explicitly opts out (e.g., a vegetarian roommate skipping a meat order).
- Settle up on a fixed schedule — weekly or monthly — instead of after every single expense.
Use a shared group, not individual memory
A shared group ledger (rather than mental math or a WhatsApp thread) removes disputes because everyone can see the same running total. When it's time to settle up, the app tells you exactly who owes whom, and how much — no negotiation needed.
Import your history if you're switching apps
If your household already tracks shared expenses in another app, look for a one-click import so you don't lose your history when you switch.