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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - splitting petrol costs

109 replies

ZanyMobster · 16/09/2018 19:15

DH, my brother and I disagree on how petrol costs should be split between families. I will drip feed slightly as I think if I put the full history it will skew the answers a bit (nothing huge but just a slight omission) but I will post again after a few answers.

Scenario - 2 adults and a child from one family and 1 adult and a child from another family travelling in a car.

Option 1 - split 5 ways and charge per person
Option 2 - split 3 ways between the 3 adults
Option 3 - split in half, half each per family.

I am guessing no way is absolutely correct (and I totally get that it is a minor problem either way) but I would really appreciate your views. Thanks.

OP posts:
CherryPavlova · 16/09/2018 19:16

Personally I’d go 50:50 to save any hassle.

QueenofmyPrinces · 16/09/2018 19:16

50/50

Doje · 16/09/2018 19:17

I probably wouldn't think about it too much and just go half each - so option 3.

Goldangel · 16/09/2018 19:17

If it was family I wouldn't think to split costs, but if it was necessary I would choose option 2.

Original poster
ZanyMobster · 16/09/2018 19:18

That was my thought on this, only because that's how I've always done it really when it is families travelling.

OP posts:
Japonicaisstillahorsygirl · 16/09/2018 19:18

50 50

Original poster
ZanyMobster · 16/09/2018 19:19

Goldangel - you mean if say they were not families/couplew and just 3 separate adults?

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 16/09/2018 19:19

50:50 for me.

SodTheBloodyLotOfThem · 16/09/2018 19:20

Whose car is it and who is driving?

xyzandabc · 16/09/2018 19:20

Who's car and who is driving? If it's the 2 adult family then I think 50/50 is fair. If it's the single adult family then I think it would be fair if the dual adult family offered a bit more than 50% to reflect the fact there are more of them.

Shylo · 16/09/2018 19:20

I’d Split it equally between the three adults

Kochicoo · 16/09/2018 19:20

Without knowing any other details (personal finances etc) and only if all parties have agreed to split petrol anyway (I've paid full petrol costs if its not a nice drive and driver being kind and offering to drive) - option 3.

littlepeas · 16/09/2018 19:21

50/50!

EmeraldVillage · 16/09/2018 19:21

I think depends who is driving whose car and how regular this is.

Firesuit · 16/09/2018 19:22

50:50

It's usual for families to travel as a unit, so two families sharing a car means they're each halving their costs.

Returnofthesmileybar · 16/09/2018 19:22

50/50, unless you are driving to the moon I bet any difference will be negligible

Atlantea · 16/09/2018 19:23

Who's car and who is driving? If it's the 2 adult family then I think 50/50 is fair. If it's the single adult family then I think it would be fair if the dual adult family offered a bit more than 50% to reflect the fact there are more of them.

I agree with this - if its the 2 adults driving, then 50.50 if its the 1 adult driving then the 2 should pay more - ignore the DC as there's the same amount

categed · 16/09/2018 19:23

Per adult, although if we split between friends the owner doesn't pay unless more than £10.00 as they pay maintenance insurances etc.

PermanentlyFrizzyHairBall · 16/09/2018 19:24

50-50. You would otherwise each need to take a car so each family halves their costs. If one person is doing all the driving and taking their car I might offer to pay for all the petrol.

LadyGAgain · 16/09/2018 19:25

Exactly what @xyzandabc said

Jammydodger1981 · 16/09/2018 19:25

I’d say 50/50 if it’s your car or a hire with shared driving between both families (so I’m assuming you, DH and Dc and only 2 of them, DB and DN) but if it’s your brother’s car and he’s driving you somewhere then maybe you paying 3/5 would be fairer as you’re getting most of the benefit plus he’s doing the driving work as well as the petrol.

Original poster
ZanyMobster · 16/09/2018 19:27

Ok, I'll post some more info, the replies were as I thought.

The reason I didn't put everything is because a couple of months ago DH drove to an event with our DS1 and my brother. Petrol was £34 so DH just said to my brother just give us a tenner as he felt DB shouldn't have to pay our DSs way. They didn't discuss in advance and DH just made that decision. DB also forgot to bring cash so DH paid for his lunch also.

DH has just spoken to me as they went to a similar event yesterday with DB, SIL their DS plus him and our DS (scenario as above). DB just texted and asked DH to transfer half of the £46 petrol money.

I think the latter is fine really, although I possibly would only ask for a third if it was 2 adults in a couple plus an extra single adult. When kids involved I would ignore them as such but given that DB was happy to split 3 ways before it's a bit cheeky but I told DH he should have just asked for half at the time.

It's dead cheeky that DB has done this but he is a notoriously CF when it comes to money (not in a nasty way, just a bit thoughtless) and is not a massively high earner so my parents and DH and I are like a free loan company at times.

I am a bit pissed off (as it's a regular occurrence) but have just told DH for the sake of less than a tenner it's not worth worrying about but to remember it going forward . . .

OP posts:
crrrzy · 16/09/2018 19:27

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

Eliza9917 · 16/09/2018 19:30

Split 3 ways between the adults. You can't charge children.

Eliza9917 · 16/09/2018 19:31

Actually, on re-reading, split 2 ways, between the 2 adults and 1 adult.