Why I Built This Calculator (And Why It Almost Didn't Happen)
It started as a Google Sheet in a no-closet room at 2am. Now it's a website. Here's the story.
Roommate Life Blog
Real stories, hard lessons, and the occasional spreadsheet. From 8 years of shared housing in Portland.
How to Talk About Money With Roommates (Without Anyone Crying)
Scripts, timing tips, and how to bring up awkward financial topics without destroying the friendship.
Security Deposits Are a Scam (And How to Get Yours Back Anyway)
I've lost $400 in deposits and fought for $1,200. Here's what landlords don't want you to know.
The Roommate Agreement Template I Wish I'd Had on Day One
Not legally binding, but it'll save your friendship. Here's what to include and what to skip.
The Moving-In Checklist: 47 Things People Forget (I Forgot 12 of Them)
From measuring doorframes to buying toilet paper before you need it. The practical guide to not screwing up move-in day.
I Tracked Every Utility Bill for a Year. Here's What Actually Costs Money.
Spoiler: the person with the window AC unit was costing us $47 a month and didn't even know it.
I Lived in 8 Apartments in 8 Years. Here's What I Learned About Rent.
From $450 rooms in shared houses to $1,200 studios. The full spectrum of Portland rental hell.
The Couple Problem: When Two People Share One Room (And One Bathroom)
Do they pay double? 1.5x? The same? Here's what actually works after 8 years of trial and error.
Why I Stopped Splitting Rent Evenly (And Why You Probably Should Too)
Equal splits only work if every room is identical. Spoiler: they never are.
My Worst Roommate Ever Cost Me $800 — And I Still Don't Know How
The story of the roommate who 'borrowed' the rent money, disappeared for three days, and came back with a new tattoo.