Share houses are not for the faint-hearted

Sharing a flat is not for the faint-hearted. Living in an inner-west Sydney house-share myself, I'm more than qualified on the topic - especially since I'm often the most likely culprit when leftovers go missing.

But etiquette aside and second to living with parents, renting with others is your most financially viable option in those pre-breeding years.

Household running costs - rent, groceries, internet, phone, pay TV, utilities - along with furniture and appliance costs can be calculated as a whole and divvyed up three or more ways.

It's not only cheaper than living alone or as a couple, but it could mean a better house in a more desirable suburb. My current residence is a share palace compared to the shoebox my ex and I previously called home.

Chat and draft a household budget.

Consider regularly depositing a set amount into a separate bank account, or kitty, and all grocery and utilities costs can be taken out of the pool. Office-working housemates might borrow "office fruit", teabags, sugar and milk. I live with a chef so we have a non-stop supply of gourmet delights.

Garden space? Grow your own veg and herbs.

Our chickens Pollo and Frango kindly contribute two eggs each daily. Rotate cooking duties, and consider communal clothes washing.

Share houses mean flatmates are also a great source of emergency supplies should you run out of deodorant, condoms or headache pills. Just remember, top up everything you use.

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