How To Pay Bills?

How much should my Girlfriend pay towards the flat and bills and living expenses? PLEASE HELP!?

• Hi. I have been with my partner for over a year living together now, and we moved into a flat in February 2010. She recently started work again, after being unemployed for 6 months. I work full time in advertising, and depending on my commission bring home between £1,500 and £2,400 per month. This does fluctuate, but not by that much. My girlfriend now does between 3-5 shifts per week, earning, after tax, £40 per shift. She brings home either £120,£160, or just over £200 per week. The bills we have each month, including all direct debits are just over £850. Including food and drink for a year and other random bills, this works out to be £1,100 approx. Now most relationships have a 50/50 thing, but I decided, and we agreed, that this is not fair on her. So I asked for £50 per week, which I thought was very fair to put into the flat and bills. Then with her being part time I thought well how about £30 per week, or £40 if she earns over £150, or £50 if she earns over £200. Again, this caused arguments and it is still left undecided. I just feel like all the pressure is on me to pay for everything, as she has said "well, if I wasn't here then you would have to pay for all of it yourself". While this may be true, I would get discount on council tax, rates, water, and the phone/internet/tv bills each month. What, in everyone's opinion, would be a good compromise, as I honestly think that my plan was more than fair. I would still pay for us to go out to the cinema, or for a meal, or takeaways, or bring her back food and other presents. I think she feels that she earns less than I do, so it should be my responsability, but I work very hard to keep my commissions high, and people can always cancel accounts or I could have a bad month and miss some bonuses (this has not happened yet, but it easily can). Please answer honestly, and as soon as possible!!!! Thanks.

• Answer:

  Her share for the bills should be equivalent to her percentage of the household income, for maximum fairness. So, to keep it easy, you make about 2000 a month. She makes about 640. household monthly income= 2640 640/2640=24.2% bills=1100 24.2% x 1100=266.2 This puts her fair share about about 66 a week, so just by the numbers, your offer is more than fair. However, what are her own personal expenses--i.e. credit card bills, car insurance, other personal debt? If she's having to pay out half her income in that sort of thing, then she can't pay as much toward the household fund, and I'd adjust her share accordingly (you could take a percentage of what's left, for example).