Position Document: Alex Johnson

Name: Alex Johnson
Role: Roommate and primary household organizer (Finance & Scheduling Coordinator)
Background: I work full-time with a flexible schedule that sometimes requires late evenings. I have a moderate income and significant personal commitments that require reliable planning.

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Situation Overview

I share an apartment with two roommates, Jamie and Taylor, and we need a fair system to divide household responsibilities such as cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, paying shared expenses, and establishing common house rules. Our differing work schedules, financial circumstances, and personal preferences have led to some friction and unclear expectations regarding these tasks.

Priorities and Values

My primary goal is to have a balanced distribution of chores and expenses that respects our varied schedules and financial constraints. I value fairness and transparency, ensuring that each roommate contributes based on capacity rather than a strict 50/50 split. Maintaining a clean and orderly environment is crucial, as is adhering to mutually agreed-upon rules regarding guest policies and noise levels. I believe in periodic reviews of our agreements to adapt to any schedule or financial changes. For instance, market rates for utilities and rent benchmarks in our area suggest that shared expenses must be adjusted relative to each person’s income and usage.

Trade-offs and Flexibility

I am open to trading off domestic duties such as cooking and cleaning with others if someone else can reliably cover the alternate responsibility, given the variances in our work schedules. While I prefer a fixed schedule for deep cleaning sessions and designated shopping days, I am willing to adopt a more rotational approach if it better accommodates everyone’s timing. I also recognize the need for flexibility during high-demand work periods and can temporarily assume less household responsibility if clearly communicated in advance. My availability for discussion and occasional mediation sessions makes me willing to adjust or refine our agreements as circumstances change.

Constraints and Concerns

A major constraint is my current work schedule, which limits my ability to commit to early morning tasks or frequent late-evening obligations. Financially, I am moderately constrained; I must keep my share of expenses within a budget that does not jeopardize personal savings goals. I am concerned with ensuring that house rules regarding guests and noise do not lead to conflicts that distract from our individual responsibilities. Additionally, any system that disproportionately burdens one roommate—especially during busy periods—risks long-term dissatisfaction and potential breakdown of our shared living arrangement.

BATNA (Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreement)

If we cannot establish a fair and sustainable system, I would need to consider:

1. Seeking new roommates who share similar organizational values and commitment to structured household management
2. Moving to a smaller place where I could live independently or with just one other person
3. Hiring cleaning services and adjusting financial contributions accordingly, though this would strain my budget
4. Establishing individual responsibility zones where each person manages their own areas completely independently

Vision of Success

A successful agreement would establish clear, rotating responsibilities that accommodate our different schedules while maintaining household standards. Financial contributions would be proportional to income and usage, with transparent tracking and regular reviews. Communication protocols would prevent small issues from becoming major conflicts, and there would be built-in flexibility for temporary adjustments due to work or personal circumstances. Most importantly, the system would be sustainable long-term and create a harmonious living environment that supports all of our individual goals.