Splitting money with friends: who is right?
Who pays for the Uber? Is splitting evenly fair if you only had a salad? Money arguments, settled to the cent.
The court only hears small money disputes between friends: a pizza, a ride, a share of the bill. It rules for fair over even, and it never treats asking for your own money back as rude. Real debts with real consequences belong somewhere else.
- Guilty
Who should pay the delivery fee when ordering food together?
Delivery fees and service charges are split evenly among everyone who ordered. Paying only for your own food leaves the person who checked out holding the rest.
Read the ruling - Guilty
Should you split gas money on a road trip?
Yes, gas and tolls are split among everyone in the car unless the group agrees otherwise. Offering to get the next one does not count when there is no next one.
Read the ruling - Guilty
Do you pay for the birthday person's dinner?
In most groups, everyone splits the birthday person's meal. In return, the birthday person orders a normal dinner, not the lobster.
Read the ruling - Guilty
Is it okay to round down when paying someone back?
No, you pay back the exact amount or round up. Rounding down is a favor that only the person who is owed can offer.
Read the ruling - Guilty
Who should pay on a first date?
The person who asked usually offers to pay, and splitting is always fair. Leaving for the bathroom when the bill arrives is neither.
Read the ruling - Guilty
How long do you have to pay back a friend?
A week for small amounts, by the next payday for bigger ones. Saying "I got you" does not count as paying.
Read the ruling - Both at fault
Is it fair to split the bill evenly if you ordered less?
For small differences, splitting evenly is fine. When one person ordered far less, that person pays only for that order.
Read the ruling - Not guilty
Is it rude to ask a friend to pay you back?
No. Asking for money you are owed is not rude, and a short, friendly reminder is the right way to do it.
Read the ruling - Guilty
Is it wrong to leave out the tip when you pay your share?
Yes. In the US, the tip is part of the cost of the meal, so your share includes your share of the tip.
Read the ruling - Guilty
Do you have to chip in for a group gift you didn't agree to?
No. A group gift needs a yes before the purchase, and the amount needs to be known before the yes.
Read the ruling - Guilty
Who should pay for the Uber home?
Split by stops: equal for a shared ride, more for whoever lives farther. Getting out first does not end the debt.
Read the ruling
Other kinds of disputes
Think you're right? Take them to court 💸
Tell the court what happened. Your first two cases are free, and the other side can defend themselves.