Should roommates share groceries and household supplies?

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Most roommates keep food separate and share only household basics like toilet paper, dish soap, trash bags and cleaning supplies. Sharing groceries can work for people who cook together often, but it needs a clear system, or someone ends up paying for food they never eat. A setup that works for most households: Food: separate, with a shelf in the fridge and a cupboard each Staples like oil, salt and spices: shared if everyone uses them, otherwise separate Household supplies: a shared pool, bought by whoever notices they are low and logged in a shared expense app Big shared purchases like a vacuum or a couch: agree first, and agree who keeps it when the lease ends If you want to share groceries, do it for a specific reason (you cook dinner together four nights a week) and split only that. Shared grocery budgets tend to fall apart when one person eats much more, has dietary restrictions, or starts eating out more often. The unwritten rule that prevents most fights: ask before you eat something that is not yours, and replace it if you finish it. Shared furniture and appliances cause the biggest arguments at move-out. Keep a simple list of who paid for what, and decide in advance whether the person leaving takes it, sells it or is bought out.

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