How to fairly split bills on vacation?

[Anonymous]

My BIL and SIL have a timeshare at a beach condo-type resort. They haven’t used it in a few years, so they have points saved up and can rent a whole 4-bedroom house. They practically begged us to come along with them, so it’ll be 4 adults, 4 kids. They are obviously paying for the timeshare, and have suggested “to make things easier” we just split the food bills. We will pay for one, then them, so on and so forth.

We plan on taking them to once nice dinner as a thank you. But I’m thinking there is no way to make this 50/50 the rest of the trip, since there are 3 meals a day. I’m trying not to be particular about it since we are getting the trip for free, but I hate alternating bills. It always seems that when it’s the other person’s time to pay, they order less, and really splurge when it’s your turn to pay. Any suggestions for making it more fair, or at least psyching myself up for this?

[Anonymous]

You alternate who pays, whether it be restaurants, groceries, or other whole-household expenses. Then you put your initials on the receipt, and stick them in a large glass in the kitchen. On the last day, you total up the respective amounts paid, and make any adjustments necessary.

It's the easiest way to do things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My BIL and SIL have a timeshare at a beach condo-type resort. They haven’t used it in a few years, so they have points saved up and can rent a whole 4-bedroom house. They practically begged us to come along with them, so it’ll be 4 adults, 4 kids. They are obviously paying for the timeshare, and have suggested “to make things easier” we just split the food bills. We will pay for one, then them, so on and so forth.

We plan on taking them to once nice dinner as a thank you. But I’m thinking there is no way to make this 50/50 the rest of the trip, since there are 3 meals a day. I’m trying not to be particular about it since we are getting the trip for free, but I hate alternating bills. It always seems that when it’s the other person’s time to pay, they order less, and really splurge when it’s your turn to pay. Any suggestions for making it more fair, or at least psyching myself up for this?

This is not my experience at all. But if you are going to bean count, this trip is not for you.

[Anonymous]

Instead of alternating meals, just offer to pay for all the meals on your credit card. Save all the receipts. At the end of the trip, add them all up and divide by 2.

Do this with any groceries that are bought for the condo too.

Or you can just go along with their suggestion and eat any extra costs as the price of free accommodations. If it gets too expensive, your DH needs to say something and don't accept in the future.

[Anonymous]

I personally just like having the waiter split the bill at the restaurant. I always feel guilty for ordering wine or that entree I really want, so I never do. And then I'm on vacation eating the cheap entree with water...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My BIL and SIL have a timeshare at a beach condo-type resort. They haven’t used it in a few years, so they have points saved up and can rent a whole 4-bedroom house. They practically begged us to come along with them, so it’ll be 4 adults, 4 kids. They are obviously paying for the timeshare, and have suggested “to make things easier” we just split the food bills. We will pay for one, then them, so on and so forth.

We plan on taking them to once nice dinner as a thank you. But I’m thinking there is no way to make this 50/50 the rest of the trip, since there are 3 meals a day. I’m trying not to be particular about it since we are getting the trip for free, but I hate alternating bills. It always seems that when it’s the other person’s time to pay, they order less, and really splurge when it’s your turn to pay. Any suggestions for making it more fair, or at least psyching myself up for this?

You sound cheap. You have no lodging expenses. Just do as they have suggested, or don’t go if a free vacation is anxiety inducing.

[Anonymous]

If I was invited with free lodging I would pick up all the groceries.
Take them out for one meal, and then just split the checks at the restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You alternate who pays, whether it be restaurants, groceries, or other whole-household expenses. Then you put your initials on the receipt, and stick them in a large glass in the kitchen. On the last day, you total up the respective amounts paid, and make any adjustments necessary.

It's the easiest way to do things.

This.

[Anonymous]

So, why not have a grown up discussion with them?

We travel with DHs parents often. We each equally pay our own accommodation (usually a flat or shared house) but split meals on a free for all. Sometimes we pay, sometimes they pay, sometimes we split. No one worries about getting what they want, and no one bean counts.

[Anonymous]

Do you not trust your BIL or SIL?

We've vacationed with friends and family and nobody abuses the system. There was one girl that we knew who liked to take advantage of ppl who're paying, so we kept our distance. But we already knew that about her and would not jointly vacation with her in the first place.

I like PPs suggestion of paying everything on your cc and save the receipts. I get points on my cc so this is attractive to me, though your BIL and SIL may want to do the same.

Another way of splitting it is you pay for all the meals one day, then they pay for the next day, instead of alternating every other meal, since you're obviously so worried about everything being fair. If you trust them to be decent people then I'd not sweat the small stuff. I'd rather overpay than underpay.

[Anonymous]

Unless I was really pressed for cash I would pay for groceries if I was getting lodging for free. You can alternate the restaurant bills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless I was really pressed for cash I would pay for groceries if I was getting lodging for free. You can alternate the restaurant bills.

Oops, I just realized someone posted the exact thing upthread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I was invited with free lodging I would pick up all the groceries.
Take them out for one meal, and then just split the checks at the restaurants.

Agreed

[Anonymous]

If I were having $0 to pay for accommodation I would absolutely pick up all the grocery bills. And would also pay for one meal out for everybody. That sounds fair to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My BIL and SIL have a timeshare at a beach condo-type resort. They haven’t used it in a few years, so they have points saved up and can rent a whole 4-bedroom house. They practically begged us to come along with them, so it’ll be 4 adults, 4 kids. They are obviously paying for the timeshare, and have suggested “to make things easier” we just split the food bills. We will pay for one, then them, so on and so forth.

We plan on taking them to once nice dinner as a thank you. But I’m thinking there is no way to make this 50/50 the rest of the trip, since there are 3 meals a day. I’m trying not to be particular about it since we are getting the trip for free, but I hate alternating bills. It always seems that when it’s the other person’s time to pay, they order less, and really splurge when it’s your turn to pay. Any suggestions for making it more fair, or at least psyching myself up for this?

You sound cheap. You have no lodging expenses. Just do as they have suggested, or don’t go if a free vacation is anxiety inducing.

don't worry about it being 50/50. just alternate and order what you want.