Real-life MMD: How much should my friend pay me?

Kittenonthekeys

This is not a good start to a harmonious flatshare.
It's foolish to be buying furniture together, but what's done is done, and of course the flatmate should pay her full 50% share. So what if it's a voucher? It's still worth money!
Why should the flatmate be entitled to half of a prize that has nothing to do with her?
But yes, given these circumstances, I think OP should just offer to pay the entire amount for this item, own it outright and the flatmate should pay for something else.
OP, you and your flatmate really do need to start communicating urgently!

solvent_saver

This seems to be a trend. I received a 'birthday voucher' entitling me to a free main course. My friend said we would split the bill, i.e. SHE would only pay half her main course. Friendship is more important than the money but it was MY 'birthday treat'.

roms

As other people have said it is your voucher which you could have used anywhere so that money is yours. They should pay half of the full cost!

rachiibell

I had a situation like this when me and my boyfriend moved in together. I do a lot of surveys so I claimed all my points as vouchers for amazon, argos ect. We counted my vouchers as part of my cash contribution and paid half each. I earned those vouchers and I could just have easily redeemed them for something else and gone clothes shopping! So I would split the total item cost equally if it was something you both actually needed but if its something just you want maybe you'd be better to buy it yourself so you can keep it even after you move out.

meknowalot-51

Flat/house sharing can be a bit of a minefield at the best of times,you clearly need to have a major discusion before going any further.
As i see it,you are paying your half with a voucher,how you pay your half has nothing to do with anyone else.How you cover your 50% is totally irrelevant and is none of her bussiness.Is she going to enquire where you got the money for the utility bills?What if the money you use was from family xmas gifts?Think carefully before going any further,if she doesn't agree on this and more importantly understand why then my advice would be to cut your losses.If the penny does finally drop then set some ground rules your both in agreement with or you could have years of stress and grief.Good luck.

WiggyDiggyPoo

Ha what a scrounger your mate is! I've shared lots of houses and at no point did we quibble how someone pays their share, just that they do pay their share.

Kick her into touch now before she starts taking the !!!!.

Augustus_the_Strong

You 'won' the voucher so it wasn't a gift or purchase. if you want the house-share to go well, I suggest you put in the voucher & then split the remaining balance 50-50.

But as others have said, maybe it's not sensible to share the cost of the furniture anyway.

If you're already arguing about who pays what, you'd better get some procedure established quick or you'll soon be looking for a new housemate.

FaceyFace

How cheeky of your flatmate! You could have just spent the money on yourself. She should pay 50% of the total cost.

dawyldthing

I wouldn't have mentioned the voucher until it came to paying and then would have gone 'well heres my half' with the voucher and any cash equivalent. As telling them about the voucher in the first place meant they thought they were onto a good thing

Elisecas

My question to her would be, "So you're asking if I'll give you half my prize? May I think about it?" And see what she says. That may be enough to get her thinking about what she's really asking - i.e. to share your prize.

But you're going to live with her, so I have two thoughts. First, if you're going to live with her you basically want an easy life, so give in gracefully if it avoids an arguement. Second, think quickly about whether this attitude is a one off or if her attitude to money and yours don't really gel. If it's the latter then either don't do it, or make sure you're all really clear on how things get split before you do. The last thing you want is spats over loo roll, washing up liquid or the last dribble of wine...