My roommates and I share groceries. We save about $300 a month by bulk-shopping.

Sat, 08/31/2024 - 09:34

Three roommates are eating take-out at a kitchen island and smiling and talking. — René Morrell (not pictured) and her roommates share groceries and have figured out a system that works for them.
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René Morrell is a Chicago-based creative in the art world and restaurant industry.
She and her two roommates share groceries. They pay each other back, or they barter.
They know their system may not work for everyone, but it aligns with their values.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with René Morrell. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Even with the nuances in our experiences, my roommates and I were all raised in households emphasizing the importance of community and resource sharing.

This common value, which we've maintained as important in our adult lives, allows us to share our food and other resources in a cooperative and communal way.