So I haven't been very active lately on this board but I'm trying to ease back into it a little, commenting on other threads etc. Anyway, I thought I'd post about my roommate and maybe get some advice.
Our apartment complex offer 3 bedroom, 3 bath apartments and individual leases for each bedroom. Rent has been $375, including utilities, up till now. This fact will be important later. Because of the individual lease thing, this complex attracts a lot of college students and young professionals. My roommate is 19 and still in college. I'm 25 and I have a stable 9 to 5 job. Despite the age difference, we get along great. But I've noticed lately that she is starting to depend on me to get her out of situations.
Case in point? She called my phone nonstop yesterday until I answered. It turned out that she had ran out of gas. So I had to leave work and pick her up, get a gas can, etc.
Every now and then, she will run out of money and ask if she can eat some of my food. It doesn't happen very often but I've noticed that it's starting to happen a little more often...I say yes, of course because luckily, she doesn't eat a lot of it. And because she's broke and I feel bad for saying no.
About two weeks ago, she found a kitten in a dumpster and rescued it. This kitten was so young, it needed to be bottle-fed pet formula. She asked me if she could bring it in the apartment so she could take care of it and maybe adopt it. I said yes, assuming she was going to pay the pet fee to the leasing office. So for a while, we took care of the kitten. But it turned out to be mainly me taking care of it. I got frustrated because I felt like she was shirking her responsibilities and expecting me to take care of the kitten all by myself. Then I found out that she didn't intend to pay the pet fee. This was a problem because the apartment complex does monthly inspections so my roommate would get caught at some point. Just a matter of when. Well luckily, she eventually saw reason and decided to give the kitten away to a good home.
Another situation happened last night. We found out that we now have an electric bill. The leasing office has changed their policy and now we have to pay electic separate from rent. All the other utilities are still included though. But we are now responsible for all the electric, split between us. This doesn't really affect me financially but apparently my roommate can't afford it to pay the electric bill. She said that she can't afford a penny over $375. So she got on the phone with her mom to try to figure out a solution. They asked me if we could keep the thermostat set around 78 to 80 in the summer to save money. I about choked on my drink. I am a hot natured person and I CANNOT deal with it being set that high in the summer! Even with the windows and fans going, I can't handle that.
Now I'm sorry for her financial troubles but honestly, if her budget is so narrow and tight that she can't afford a fluctuation in the utility bill, she can't afford an apartment! I am truly sorry for her situation and I would be sad to see her go because we do get along really well. But I pay rent too and I deserve to be at least somewhat comfortable in my own apartment.
Anyway, I know she's only 19 but...I just wish she would be more responsible in her life. I love hanging out with her but sometimes, it's draining to always rescue her. BF and I are moving in together in January when my lease expires so I have to deal with this until then. I guess I'm just looking for tips on how to handle living with a young, immature and naive roommate who wants to set the thermostat on 78-80 in the summer. And if you read this whole thing, I am very impressed and I thank you. 