The Roll Challenge

SpaceSplitter gave me a challenge: track how many rolls of toilet paper and paper towels you use in a week.

The Results

I enlisted the help of my two roommates who happily agreed to see how much we were all cleaning and wiping. At the wrap up of three weeks (we were having so much fun we forgot to count at the end of weeks one and two) and here are our results: We completely consumed one roll of paper towels and seven rolls of toilet paper. That breaks down to 0.333 of a roll of paper towels and 2.333 rolls of toilet paper. Hmm. Not bad.

Our low paper towel usage comes from a mutual eco-friendly passion that we all share which drives us to use cloth rags. The seven rolls of toilet paper is hypothesized to be a bit high because not only are there three girls living in the apartment, but significant others visit almost every day and friends always drift in and out. I also had to take into account that our puppy channeled his inner-high schooler and toilet papered our hallway.

So What

Shared items are necessary. What, are you going to bring your own roll of toilet paper with you each time you need to use the bathroom? That’s a hassle and an added stress. The easy way to look figure out what everyone uses it to think about what are in common areas like the bathroom and the kitchen and come to an understanding of usage.

Think about it this way: It could take you years to finish a container of dried oregano, but you and your roommate both cook. Offer your roommate to use your oregano if you can use their dried chili pepper. Then agree whoever finished the herb needs to be the one to replenish the supply.

If you are afraid a verbal agreement will be forgotten in a few months then use an online agreement make, like the one SpaceSplitter offers, to put something in writing. This way you will each have something to refer to if a debate on who needs to buy more eggs breaks out.

-  - -

Next challenge? SpaceSplitter asked me to break down the logistics of sharing a pet with one of my roommates. Check back soon for the update!