My roommate wants me to pay for things (TV/fridge/microwave/keurig) that I don’t really need. We are random roommates so we don’t really know each other. I am pretty sure I won’t be needing them (didn’t use them last year). I am going to purchase unlimited meal plan and I personally don’t like eating in the room (I don’t mind my roommate eating though). Plus, I don’t understand why we need TV in the dorm…
I told my roommate that I could bring vacuum, mop, and rug so he doesn’t have to bring those. I don’t usually stay in the room and I will be mostly out because my last class ends really late. He thinks I am a terrible roommate and I don’t really know what to do… Help!!
TV is not necessary. You can say no. Or you can change roommate now to avoid cold relationship later. Or you can share the cost of a small fridge if you can afford (and you may need to use it later. It’s a common item in a dorm). Sometimes you need to yield to make good friends.
Sounds like he’s a real jerk. Splitting the cost on something like that is a negotiation not an expectation. I don’t see why you’d be obligated to split the cost for things you won’t use. Besides suggesting that he could use a different room’s fridge/microwave/TV, I don’t think you have much else to do.
Those are pretty typical things to split but if you don’t have the money or know you won’t use them you have the right to say no. Even if they are things you don’t want you have the right to say no.
I will say that unless something is a rental item you would bet better off each buying different items rather than splitting the cost in case you don’t stay as roommates in future years.
All of the requests can feel overwhelming, but before saying yes or no think about what you really would use. Many people don’t have a TV in the room now (with computers, iPads etc. to stream with), if you don’t drink coffee you certainly should say no to the keurig etc… Most dorms do not allow for microwaves in rooms unless they are part of a microfridge that students typically rent. Based on my experience (many years ago) and my kid’s more recent experience, I will say that you likely would not regret splitting the cost to rent a microfridge and splitting the cost (if affordable) – having the ability to keep some bottles of water, soda, small snack items, and a few microwaveable meals/soups (in case you miss a meal in the cafeteria, want a late snack) is a big plus.
Keep in mind that if you don’t split the cost for an item that you should never ask to use/borrow it. (ex. if you don’t split the cost of a refrigerator/microfridge don’t just assume you can use it for your water/soda because it is in your room).
And before you bring a vacuum/mop see if those things are available to borrow from the dorm. They may eat up valuable space for no reason. A rug is generally a good thing to have though.
First see what is allowed in your dorm…sometimes they only allow their own microfridges as was mentioned so as to not overload the electrical circuits.
If they have no restrictions on fridge/microwave, then ask yourself: Would I ever use these?
TV and Keurig you can answer…probably not from what you are saying.
For the fridge and mictrowave…are you never going to want to have some cold water or soda? Are you never going to want to reheat leftover pizza or microwave some popcorn?
What I would suggest is to say “I’ll bring the microwave, and you can bring the fridge. But I dont’ drink coffee and won’t be watching tv on a big TV so I will bow out of using those.”
Or you can say no to everything, but realize then you must never ever use them.
I agree with @bopper 's suggestion, regarding offering to buy the microwave or fridge if you can afford it. BTW - the usually microwave is cheaper. If your are like my DS and flying with summer storage concerns, you could offer a flat $30 or so user fee for the year and the roommate owns it all if/when you are no longer roommates.
First you should see what will be provided for you. At my school each room has one mini fridge and one microwave. Sometimes if you are really unlucky you won’t get a microwave but that is hardly an issue since there is a microwave inside each dorm floor’s living room/common room which is open to anyone.
And do not feel pressured to pay for all of those things! You do not have to at all, I have had the same roommate for the last 3yrs and each year we bring our own stuff and we don’t share. We only share what is already provided in the dorm room and that works out well.