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Original poster

How Would You Split This Weekend Away

31 replies

anon4net · 06/02/2025 23:06

In the Easter break I'm going away with three of my younger children (toddler through to primary school age) and my friend is also attending with her primary age son (year 5). It's self-catering. No partners/husbands attending, older dc not attending as they are doing something else those days.

Family A - One adult, two primary school age children, one toddler
Family B - One adult, one primary school age child

How would you split the cost of the cottage? 50/50, 60/40 or another way? Each family will pay for their own additional costs, it's the accommodation piece specifically that I want to be fair to my friend about as she only has 1 child that is attending and I have three (granted youngest is young enough they are still 'free' for most things).

Thanks!

OP posts:
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BlanketLanyard · 07/02/2025 22:47

I think you should offer to pay 2/3rds and if she says no then treat her to some food etc whilst there and bring along plenty of alcohol to share.

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 07/02/2025 22:43

I'd be fine with 50/50 if I were your friend. It's simpler. Maybe you could offer to sort the kids food and snacks....

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 07/02/2025 22:40

If she insists on 50/50 you can pay for something extra for all of you. You can't make her accept more if she's really uncomfortable about it.
There's a similar thread about paying for taxis and there isn't a right or wrong answer, just an answer that feels OK to everyone.

GRCP · 07/02/2025 20:28

I would do it by bedroom used

BettyBardMacDonald · 07/02/2025 20:22

Tomatocutwithazigzagedge · 07/02/2025 08:08

Because three fifths is 60%?

Show quote history

She should be paying 2/3 or 66% which I personally would round up to 70, and round the friend down to 30.

Tomatocutwithazigzagedge · 07/02/2025 18:49

MinnieMountain · 07/02/2025 08:26

@Tomatocutwithazigzagedge 3/5 would be fair if it were 5 adults but given that it’s 2 adults paying for the whole thing, by number of rooms needed seems fairest.

Yes, but I wasn't referring to rooms, I was referring to the previous posters suggestion of 70/30 which is completely disproportionate imo? If you are dividing by headcount it would be 60/40 not 70/30.

However the other person wants a room for their DC alone and a pullout bed in the lounge. So OP and two kids in one room, friend in lounge and DC alone in one room. I'd probably just accept the 50/50 split in this case.

TriangleLight · 07/02/2025 09:01

50/50 is fine. You’re both getting the holiday and using the accommodation. I’d expect to pay that

Inertia · 07/02/2025 08:58

I think number of bedrooms is important.

Is the den a separate room from the main living space? If her son uses the bed in there, it effectively becomes his bedroom. Presumably friend has a bedroom, and you and your children share the other bedrooms.

If that’s the case then 50/50 is fair, but her son has exclusive use of the den.

ZenNudist · 07/02/2025 08:32

Dentistpaper · 07/02/2025 08:01

If I was the friend with one child I’d be fine with 50/50.

This but otherwise pay 2/3

MinnieMountain · 07/02/2025 08:26

@Tomatocutwithazigzagedge 3/5 would be fair if it were 5 adults but given that it’s 2 adults paying for the whole thing, by number of rooms needed seems fairest.

CurlewKate · 07/02/2025 08:25

Depends to some extent on your relative financial situations. If you're on an equal footing, then 50:50 sounds fine because who wants to do bistromathics if you can avoid it?

HellofromJohnCraven · 07/02/2025 08:25

I'd do 2/3rds personally.
But agree with pp, if she insists on 50/50 find a way to male it up during the hols

BilboBlaggin · 07/02/2025 08:13

PicaK · 07/02/2025 07:58

You have a great friend. You are also a nice friend. Congratulations!
Either push for 60/40 again then admit defeat and turn up with lots of wine or treat her while you're there.
Enjoy

Perfect answer!

DoItBetter · 07/02/2025 08:09

How much is the total cost? If it's not too much then maybe 50/50 is ok.

Tomatocutwithazigzagedge · 07/02/2025 08:08

BettyBardMacDonald · 07/02/2025 03:53

You pay 70 (at least) and she pays 30.

Come on, how is this even a question?

Because three fifths is 60%?

Moonlightstars · 07/02/2025 08:02

If she absolutely refuses how would do something like bring a big basket of goodies to share or pay for a meal out for everyone to balance it up a bit.

Dentistpaper · 07/02/2025 08:01

If I was the friend with one child I’d be fine with 50/50.

PicaK · 07/02/2025 07:58

You have a great friend. You are also a nice friend. Congratulations!
Either push for 60/40 again then admit defeat and turn up with lots of wine or treat her while you're there.
Enjoy

MinnieMountain · 07/02/2025 06:43

I’d split by number of bedrooms used. So you pay 2/3.

Original poster
anon4net · 07/02/2025 04:33

@BettyBardMacDonald only a question b/c she insists 50% is fair and it should be based on adult attendance only. I don't think it is so I wanted to ask for advice. She's also certain the baby doesn't count so is insisting I only have 1 extra kid!

I appreciate all input! :)

OP posts:
BettyBardMacDonald · 07/02/2025 03:53

You pay 70 (at least) and she pays 30.

Come on, how is this even a question?

Eenameenadeeka · 07/02/2025 01:26

Depends on who is using what rooms/beds, A should pay more. Maybe 60/40 if you have one room, your children one room, and she has one room and the pull out bed.

Original poster
anon4net · 07/02/2025 01:20

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, she offered 50/50 but I don't feel that is fair to her.

There are 3 bedrooms. Her dc is older (year 5) so she may have a bedroom and he sleep in the den which has a pull out. Still figuring that out!

OP posts:
DoYouReally · 06/02/2025 23:53

50/50 means she is subsidising your holiday heavily.

How many rooms?

What would it cost you both to book separately?

Hiccupsandteacups · 06/02/2025 23:24

Agree you pay a ratio of how many bedrooms each family needs