Joining a bubble - paying my way

[LockdownQ]

I am joining a bubble by moving in with my best friends (a married couple) for who knows how long.

What would be reasonable to offer in terms of finance? Obviously will pay my way in terms of food etc but do I offer to pay a share of the bills? If so, 1/3 or 1/2? I still have my own rent and bills to pay in the meantime but aware I am imposing on them a lot so want it to be fair.

Though I expect them to put up a fight about taking anything!

Definitely not 1/2 - that would be too much

I think 1/3 is acceptable.
To be honest this is something which should be discussed before you move in.

why are you moving in AND keeping your own place?

This all needs to be discussed before you move.

1/3 if you can afford it, if not, as much a you can afford seeing as you are still paying rent on your place.

It is going to be discussed before I move in, that's why I'm asking on here for impartial views first!!

why are you moving in AND keeping your own place?

Because a bubble is only temporary and I still need somewhere to live after?

Sorry I think I've not been clear - we're not all moving somewhere together, I am going to stay with them indefinitely while lockdown continues. We are all wfh for the rest of the year and live really far apart, so seemed nicer to spend this time together.

Why are you doing this now, when lockdown is easing? Go and stay with them a fortnight or something. Then come home. This sounds like the perfect way to all fall out!

Seems an unusual time to be doing it when restrictions have lifted so much. Is it really worth it?

Are you sure they really want that? Visiting someone is one thing, but having them with you for six months or so is another thing completely.

Who's idea was it, and why this late in lockdown?

It wouldn't seem right for you to be paying more for rent and bills than you are now and for them to be profiting from that.

How about you offer what you think you will save by not living at your usual address.. ie a portion of the variable part of your bills. Then split food 3 ways which might go either way..

In return you could do more than your share of household chores, work in the garden, help them decorate, cook for them.. other non financial consequences..

You need to be clear about boundaries before you move in. How much you'll pay, how long you'll stay, what happens if you get fed with with each other etc.

Why now when you can meet up with others?

You don’t need to form a bubble now. You are allowed to visit them and stay over night whenever you want, you don’t need to move in!

I'd offer a third as that seems fair

It also seems bonkers to me. Why are you doing this exactly?

Thanks all. We're doing it as I can't really visit for short periods as we are so far away from one another. We would have done it sooner but they had a shielding family member who has now left.

I know it seems odd to others but my life won't really go back to anything resembling normal till I can go back to work - almost all my socialising was done after work with others coming from their offices while their kids were in wrap around. So even though lockdown is lifting there's not much to do as everyone is stuck at home with their kids!

It was a joint idea but I don't worry about them getting sick of it - they aren't like lots of mumsnet in that they love having guests and the three of us holiday together etc. We've been friends since we were teenagers so have had all the arguments were going to have really!