The Advantages of Having a Roommate

Need to have a Roommate

Maybe this is your first time or your 5th time getting a roommate. Regardless, I'm sure one of the main reasons why you may need a roommate is to cut the costs of your living expenses.  Still you are not exactly thrilled about sharing your space with some stranger or even your best friend because you like your privacy and your space.   But if you are in a position right now where you sort of need a roommate for a short period of time, take a look at these advantages that makes having a roommate a little more fun.  

Benefits to Having a Roommate

1. You can split the rent in half (and even if you can afford the rent by yourself, you can save the extra half to pay down bills, pay for a nicer car or save for a down payment on a house)
   
2. Split utilities in half
3. Have someone to talk to and keep you company (especially if you hate or afraid of being alone in the house)
4. You and your roommate can combine furniture, kitchenware and electronics
5. Make new friends with your roommate's friends and vice versa
6. If from different cultural backgrounds, you can learn new cooking recipes
7. Share items like DVD's, CD's, clothes (but only if you are really cool with one another of course)
8. If you don't have a car and your roommate does, you can get free rides to places like school, work, the supermarket and the mall.
9. You can list your roommate as an emergency contact if you don't have family living close by
10. You and your roommate can celebrate the holidays together if both of your families live far away and/or traveling is not your the budget.  
11. Feel like being a homebody on a Friday or Saturday night?  Have movie night with your roommate.
12. Need information from important paperwork you left at home?  Your roommate can read it over the phone to you.
13. If you guys share the cost of groceries, you can take turns food shopping.
14. Take turns cooking dinner and doing the dishes
15. You can get an honest opinion about how you look before leaving your house for a night out on the town

Honestly, having a roommate is not that bad; especially if you find a female roommate who is ideal for you.  For one you are saving money, but if you happen to find a roommate you get along great with, you can make a friend for life.  That alone is the best benefit of all!

T. Bo