25-year-old living with 26-year-old coworker gets promoted, coworker now wants her to pay all the rent: 'Now that you earn higher, you won’t come asking me about the money'

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jul 19, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

This shouldn't have to be said, but it's never a good idea to live with a coworker. Even if it seems like you're starting out in an industry together and that your sensibilities match perfectly, it's only a matter of time before the two of you start to compare notes and compete with one another in ways that are bound to damage both your personal and professional lives. After all, by electing to live with your coworker, you are inevitably choosing to blur those boundaries and to allow for little distinction between your work and social life.

For this author, she made the foolish mistake of living with her coworker, who, despite being a year older, seemed to be lacking in maturity. One month, the coworker admitted to having money problems and asked the author to pay her share of the rent for that month with the promise that she would be paid back in a couple of weeks. You know what they say about giving a mouse a cookie? Well, let's just say that once the author gave her coworker/roommate permission to manipulate her, it didn't exactly stop there, especially when the author got a promotion!

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  • That promotion turned out to cause more conflict than cause for celebration… at least, as far as the author's living situation was concerned. When the author came home after the exciting news was announced to the company, her coworker expressed relief that now she didn't need to pay the author back. Let's just say that this was a “record-scratching” moment for the author, who realized in that instant that she needed to deliver an ultimatum to her coworker/roommate… otherwise nothing would stop this unacceptable behavior. Kudos to her for standing her ground!

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    "My roommate said I should 'forfeit' the rent I covered for her because I got promoted."

    I 25F have been living with my roommate 26F for two years now. We've generally had a peaceful arrangement split the rent, share utilities, and go about our lives. Things were okay until our most recent rent was due.
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    She told me she was having financial problems and begged me to help her cover her part of the rent, promising to pay me back within a few weeks. I
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    agreed, mostly out of trust and the fact that we work in the same organization, so I didn't think it would be an issue.
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    Fast forward a couple weeks later I got a promotion at work! It's a small step up but I was excited. That same evening, when I got home, she congratulated me and said, "Wow, I'm very happy for
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    your promotion. At least now that you earn higher, you won't come asking me about the money. You can now forfeit it."
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    I laughed awkwardly because | honestly thought she was joking. Who says that? But I didn't want to make a scene, so I brushed it off.
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    Until last week, when I reminded her that the agreed repayment time had passed. Her response?
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    "Common girl, you are now bigger than that. You should let it go. After all, you got promoted and you earn more. I didn't."
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    I simply told her "Either I get my money, or I get the police involved. Your choice." She said "you just too mean" Two days later, she paid.
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    karendetecter1 · 8h ago . brooo first off congrats on the promotion! i'd find a new roommate though because that was not cool of her to do or say
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    SkirtSeveral3664 8h ago • nah she really tried to turn your success into a reason to rob you Imao. girl thought a promotion came w amnesia and charity ❤
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    Beyarboo 8h ago • Yeah, this living arrangement needs to end asap. She's going to keep trying stuff like this, and if she can't afford the rent once, it will probably keep happening.
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    YouSayWotNow ⚫ 8h ago Wow, DO NOT COVER HER RENT EVER AGAIN.
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    nowiserjustolder ⚫ 8h ago Next will be "you earn more, so you should pay a bigger portion of the rent"
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    hroatTotal9756 8h ago . Totally wild she tried to spin your success into her excuse. Glad you stayed calm and firm, that was classy and bada
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    RunHome. 177 8h ago Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off. Keep at it. As for your roommate, that is a bad situation to be in.
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    You acted like a bank and made a loan. The loan has come due. Time for them to pay it back. If they don't then it is time for them to go. If you don't push back it
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    will happen again, or at least be attempted. Sometimes monetary losses can be the strongest teachers.
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    Martin_Aurelius • 8h ago She's going to escalate, start looking for a new place.
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    MarzipanLive168 · 3h ago If this is a true story and you work for the same organization, she will be bad mouthing you at work to others who know you are roommates, especially to higher ups. Live out the lease and find another rental. Meanwhile, safeguard your belongings, especially your toothbrush.
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terrible coworkers workplace-stories work stories work coworkers money problems bad roommates entitled people karma roommates money entitled people apartment
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