Energy costs in the UK were rising, so OP (the original poster) told her roommates that they had to cut back on energy usage, or else she could not afford the bills anymore. The roommates refused to compromise, so OP moved out. Was she wrong?
OP Lived in the UK – There’s an Energy Crisis
OP is 25 year-old female, living in the UK. The UK was experiencing a huge energy crisis, with power bills predicted to rise by up to 80% in the past winter.
OP Lived with Her Two Friends
OP lived with her two friends, a 27 year-old female and a 26 year-old male.
OP Grew Up Poor – Her Friends Were Spoiled
OP grew up poor, so she was always very conscious about her water and energy usage. She always used the bare minimum. However, the two roommates were not at all the same. They always had the heat on in the winter with the windows open, the windows open when the AC was running, they refused to wear sweaters when temperatures were cold, and so on and so forth. Both of them just wasted a lot of electricity.
Electric Bill Went from £60 Per Month to £200 Per Month
When the next electricity bill came, OP was in for a shock, as it went from £60 per month up to £200 per month. Of course, OP could not at all afford this. It is worth noting that all three of the roommates paid the exact same amount, as they split the cost three ways, even though OP earned far less money than either of the two roommates.
OP Told Roommates They Need to Cut Down
OP told the roommates that they absolutely needed to cut down on their power consumption, or else they would no longer be able to afford to pay for the electricity.
OP Tried to Create Energy Usage Rules
OP tried to compromise and make some rules with her roommates. Some suggestions were to turn the heat off in warmer weather, to wear a sweater if they were cold, turn off electronics when not in use, use less hot water, etc.
The Roommates Refused to Abide By the Rules
The roommates absolutely refused to make any compromises or abide by these new rules. They claimed that it wasn’t not their fault but the country was in crisis and that they would not be giving up their comfort. They even implied that OP should get a better paying job, even though this was not possible for her.
No Resolution Was Made
Either way, no resolution was reached, and both of OP’s roommates still continued using excessive amounts of electricity. They did this knowing full well that the bill would be split equally with OP even though she wasn’t using nearly as much as they were.
OP Informed the Roommates She Would Be Moving Out
Eventually, OP just couldn’t afford it anymore, and decided that he needed to find a different solution.
Her Mother Was There to Help
OP’s mother told her that she could move in with her while she saved up some money, so this is what she decided to do.
Her Roommates Got Angry
OP informed her roommates that in six weeks time, when their contract was up, she would be moving out and moving back in with her mother. The roommates got extremely angry.
Roommates Said They Can’t Afford It Without OP
The roommate said it was not fair that OP was leaving, and that they could not afford to pay the rent and bills without her share of the rent. Both of the roommates said that OP was being very selfish. Now, OP wonders if she was wrong.
The Readers Respond
The readers responded and everyone said that OP was totally right, and that the roommates were being extremely selfish. It’s not her problem because her roommates weren’t willing to compromise.
“Let me get this straight: OP: Guys, I just can’t afford what the electricity bill has become, we need to cut back, here’s my suggestions. Guys: No u! We won’t compromise our comfort! OP: OK, guys. I won’t be renewing the leasing, I need to move out. Guys: No! How dare u?! Do they hear their hypocrisy? Holy crap! NTA!”
“Yeah, OP. It’s not your fault the country is in crisis. You shouldn’t give up your financial stability for their problems. NTA”
“This this this! OP should just keep paying the £60 and let roomies go 50/50 on the 140. Put their money where their mouths are!”
Did OP Try Her Best?
Some people wondered if OP did her best trying to compromise before she had to move out. However, almost everyone agreed that there was nothing else that OP could do, especially if the roommates were not willing to compromise.
“You laid it out brilliantly….the hypocrisy! The worst part is they probably don’t even realize that they are the hypocrites. NTA”
“That’s the thing, hypocrites do not hear their own hypocrisies. OP is NTA.”
“NTA OP – they are huge hypocrites! I agree with 295Phoenix. You gave them fair warning and now they are stuck.”
Who Was Being Selfish?
What really became clear here is that both the roommates just didn’t care about OP, and as many people have stated, they were being selfish. They were just trying to get some money from her while paying as little as possible themselves.
“Oh, they realise just fine that OP was subsidising their lifestyles by splitting the bills equally. It’s the same with people who want to split restaurant bills equally because ‘come on, we’re all friends here, we don’t need to break it down’. All the while having had the most expensive food and drinks.”
“NTA They can’t have their cake and eat it too. If they ain’t willing to put in the work to cut down, maybe they can put in the work to find a new roommate.”
Her Boyfriend is Furious that She Sent Him a Bill for Half the Cost of the Cremation for Their Dog that He Insisted on Doing But Refused to Pay For
The original poster (OP), the girlfriend, had a dog along with her boyfriend. They always split the bills 50/50 for everything, but her boyfriend refused to help pay medical bills for the dog. The dog died, and OP sent half the bill for the cremation to her boyfriend, stating that it was only fair but he doesn’t agree.
Her Boyfriend Got a Job 2 Hours Away So She Takes the Train and Stays One to Two Weeks a Month and He Now Wants Her to Split the Rent and Bills Even Though She Pays for the Train and Groceries
The original poster’s (OP) boyfriend told her that she should be paying for half of his rent and bills since she spends about half her time at his place. But OP says she never chose to have the boyfriend move to a city where life is far too expensive, and that she should not have to pay anything. Who is in the wrong?
She Embarrassed Her Boyfriend By Asking for Separate Bills Instead of Transferring the Money to Him After Like He Asked So He Wouldn’t Look Bad In Front of the Waitress
The original poster(OP), had dinner at a restaurant with her boyfriend. At the end of their anniversary dinner she told the waitress to split the bill. The boyfriend ended up feeling embarrassed because the waitstaff likely assumed he was cheap. Was the OP in the wrong?
Her Mother Expects Her to Pay Off Her Credit Card Bill as Repayment for Raising Her But It Will Deplete Her Savings
The original poster’s (OP) mother was never responsible with money and had a huge credit card debt. OP’s mom wanted her to use her OnlyFans profits to pay off the debt, but OP refused. OP thought that her mother would never pay her back, seeing as she had a horrible track record with finances. Is OP in the wrong?
She Refuses to Use Her Inheritance From Her Mother to Pay for Medical Bills for Her Half-Sister Who Was a Result of Her Father’s Affair But He’s Giving Her the Guilt Trip
OP had a mother who left her a large inheritance when she died. The father, who cheated on the mother and had another child through the affair, came asking for money to help pay for the half-sister’s medical bills. OP refused to give them any money, and ended up feeling conflicted.