AITAH for Expecting My Roommate to Pay for the Groceries They Eat?

Living with roommates can be a great way to save money and share responsibilities—but what happens when your roommate treats the shared kitchen like their own private buffet? Today’s AITAH scenario comes straight from a frustrated renter who’s tired of footing the bill for someone else’s midnight snacks.

Let’s dive into the situation and see whether this boundary-setting roommate is truly in the wrong—or just fed up.

The Story: One Grocery Bill Too Many

The original poster—let’s call him Dan, age 26—shared on r/AITAH that he’s been living with his roommate, Mike, for almost a year. They signed a lease together, split rent 50/50, and agreed to each buy their own groceries.

At first, it was no big deal. But over time, Mike started “borrowing” things: a little milk here, some eggs there. Eventually, Dan noticed entire cartons of yogurt and packs of chicken disappearing overnight.

Dan brought it up multiple times, and Mike always promised to pay him back. But the reimbursements never came. After tracking expenses for a month, Dan realized he’d spent over $200 more than usual because of Mike’s snacking.

Fed up, Dan decided to confront Mike—and things didn’t go well.

The Confrontation: An Awkward Conversation Turns Sour

According to Dan, he sat Mike down and calmly explained the problem, complete with a spreadsheet showing the dates and costs of the groceries that had vanished.

Mike’s reaction? Anger. He said Dan was “petty” for keeping track of food and acting like every bite was a major offense. He insisted that “good roommates share,” and accused Dan of being selfish for expecting exact reimbursements when they both occasionally ate each other’s snacks.

Dan argued that he almost never took anything from Mike, and when he did, he replaced it immediately. He reminded Mike of the original agreement: separate groceries, no exceptions unless asked first.

Mike refused to pay the $200, saying it was “ridiculous” to expect repayment over what he called “a few meals.”

Dan turned to Reddit to ask: Am I the villain for wanting my roommate to pay for the groceries they eat?

The Internet Decides: Who’s in the Wrong Here?

The AITAH community weighed in fast—and most agreed that Dan was not the villain.

Why Dan Isn’t the Villain

• Clear Agreements: From the start, both roommates agreed to buy and store their own food.

• Repeated Boundaries: Dan asked nicely multiple times before taking a firmer approach.

• Documentation: Keeping track of expenses wasn’t petty—it was necessary after so many broken promises.

One commenter summed it up perfectly:
“You’re not roommates with a broke college student who genuinely can’t afford groceries. You’re roommates with an entitled adult who thinks he’s above basic consideration.”

The Flip Side: Why Some Think Dan Might Be Overreacting

A smaller group of commenters suggested that maybe Dan’s approach—especially bringing out a spreadsheet—was a little intense. They argued:

• Sharing happens naturally in communal living.

• Strict boundaries around every dollar can feel transactional.

• A more informal conversation might have been more effective than a formal tally.

Still, even those who empathized with Mike conceded that he should have at least tried to replace the food or contribute to grocery bills.

The Bigger Issue: Respect and Communication

This isn’t really about groceries—it’s about respect. When you live with someone, ignoring agreements and assuming they’ll pick up the slack shows a lack of consideration.

Dan’s experience highlights the importance of:

• Setting expectations early (and putting them in writing if necessary)

• Communicating quickly when patterns start to form

• Being willing to stand up for yourself when your boundaries are ignored

If Mike valued the roommate relationship, he could have apologized and worked out a compromise. Instead, he chose to blame Dan for enforcing the rules they both agreed on.

What Dan Can Do Next

If you’re in a similar situation, here are some steps to consider:

• Label your food clearly. This reduces “accidental” confusion.

• Keep receipts or photos of your purchases. Documentation can help avoid arguments.

• Offer solutions. For example, a monthly shared grocery fund or a written repayment plan.

• Know when to move on. Sometimes, a roommate situation is simply incompatible.

Dan may want to consider whether this arrangement is worth the stress—and start planning for a different living setup when the lease ends.

Takeaway: Boundaries Aren’t Petty—They’re Healthy

Dan isn’t the villain here. He’s someone who gave his roommate multiple chances to change and finally drew a line when his kindness was taken for granted.

Standing up for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.