Cheap Vs Frugal

Air Today, Gone Tomorrow

Our friend Amber recently finished grad school - and landed her first writing job! And, after months of searching, she finally found a safe - and affordable - apartment. When she saw the listing for an open room in the heart of the East Village, right in her price range, she knew she had to pounce! Amber and her new roommate Erin quickly bonded. They had the same taste in music and even shared a penchant for gourmet cooking - they got along great and roommate squabbles were never an issue!

After a few months of late night chats over wine and spring strolls through the pop up flea markets, summer rolled around …and so did a HUGE spike in their utilities. After receiving the $200 ConEd bill - which usually sits at an even $65 during the rest of the year - Erin informed Amber she'd be needing her half of the money.

Though she never brought it up upon moving in, Amber didn't have an air conditioner in her room, and Erin did. Already strapped for cash because of student loans and a limited budget, Amber wondered if she should risk her blissful living situation to remedy her financial one, and opt to ask Erin to pay a little more than half of the bill …especially since she knew Erin's hatred of the summer heat probably led to her cranking up HER air conditioner this past July.

Should Amber avoid a potential argument and suck it up and split the bill, or should she try to negotiate with Erin? What would you do?

Tell us what you think?

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