My roommates keep drinking the milk i buy.?

Question

I am a freshman in college and its the first time i actually have a roommate and everything I live off campus (not in th dorms) so i have to go and get my own groceries with my own money. So my problem is that my roomates are drinking the milk i buy.I buy 2% milk and they buy nonfat milk. I dont like nonfat milk so i dont drink it so i buy my own milk. Also i barely drink milk i usually use it for baking and cooking.....How can i ask them not to drink my milk if they are going to buy nonfat.


last weekend I went back home. i had a half gallon of milk ( i wrote on the top "Aprilles milk") in the frig when i left i BARELY had any and when i got back most of it is gone. And same thing with my eggs....
I know its just milk but when i have to go to the store every 3 days just for milk it gets annoying since i dont have time to go often! Ugh.

Answer 1

The only way to solve this is to speak with your roommates in person. It's only October so the timing is perfect for everyone to sit down and talk about common grocery purchases for everyone and specific grocery needs by each person. For instance, if you buy trashbags or dishsoap you certainly wouldn't mind if your roommates used those items. Perhaps you can each have a section of the refrigerator and cupboards for personal purchases and an area where items are kept that everyone contributes towards and uses (ketchup, mustard, salt, etc.) You should also talk about each one of you contributing toward purchasing the items used by everyone (toilet paper, paper towels, trashbags, condiments, etc.)

Answer 2

Try to tell them in a nice way- that oh I wanted to make some cake or something for past two days but there was no milk left. Ask them do u think if you guys want to share the grocery bill and do cooking turns or we should just do our groceries separate? This might have them just think that you are cautious about ur things been used without ur permission. And not being mean either.

Another suggestion--> if you dont care that they are using milk.. but cuz there is nothing left. Maybe get a Gallon milk instead of half gallon. But I would suggest talking about it in a nice way it will help in running in these problems later on also.

Answer 3

The truth is that with many people who are thieves, if you ask them nicely not to drink your milk, they will just keep doing it anyway, in secret when you aren't looking. I have that same problem in fact I caught the person drinking my milk and even right out of the jug, which I think is gross. What I am finally having to end up doing is buying the longlife type of milk in a box and hiding it, so that they don't even know that I have it. Plus I buy about 5 little pint bottles of milk and they aren't going to open those because then I'd know for sure they stole it. I buy groceries every two weeks, so I use the pints of regular whole milk to start with and the rest of the time I use my boxed longlife milk that I've kept hidden in my room. If I ask the guy to pick up some milk at the store, the same one who is stealing my milk, he charges me 50 cents to a dollar for going up to get it for me, even if he is going to the store anyway. So I just can't win. The only solution for me is buying the longlife milk and hiding it. I am not a college student, I am just staying with someone because of a situation I ended up being in. But I am just really sick of the guy always wanting my food. The worst part though is the milk problem since like I said I have caught him a couple of times drinking right out of the jog and he hardly ever brushes his teeth. Its just nasty.

Answer 4

I went through the exact same thing, except it was my roommate's boyfriend that drank my milk. Try talking to them about it first. Say "Hey, listen, if you are running low on milk, just ask me and chances are, it would be fine for you to use some. But I'm really low on money right now and can't afford to buy it so often."

Try writing your name in Sharpie across the front of the milk, do the same thing with the carton of eggs. Then, tape the top to the jug- just to make your point. Do the same thing with the eggs.

If it still doesn't work, fill a jug of milk with water. They'll get the point when they steal your milk and end up pouring water on their cereal. Or, buy a carton of soy milk (ick!) pour out the soy milk and wash it. Then pour your real milk in the carton. Chances are, they'll be so grossed out by the thought of soy milk, they won't think twice about stealing yours anymore! (You could even pour it in a tupperware drink container that is solid colored and unmarked. They won't even know what it is.)
I hope some of this helps!

Answer 5

Golfgirl - Are you an only child? Have you never had to share food?

I'm sorry you're having a hard time with your roommates, but you need to learn how to get along with them and cooperate or you will have a really hard time sharing an apartment.

Get your roommates together and come up with a grocery budget that everyone contributes to a and schedule to buy food. That way everyone can eat anything in the fridge and everyone pays for it.

If you and your roommates cannot agree, then buy yourself your own small fridge and keep it in your room. Sadly, unless you have a lock on your bedroom door and/or on your fridge, your roommates will just eat your food when you're not around.

I know it's your milk and you paid for it, but you now share an apartment and you need to learn how to be a roommate.

Answer 6

It's best if you an get a used but functioning mini-fridge to keep in your bedroom. Many of them come with locks on them.

Or, you need to sit down with your roommates and have a talk about respecting the purchased items of each other. Decide what's for common use and what's off limits. If they prefer the milk you buy, tell them to pitch in so you can buy a larger quantity; but to be sure to leave enough for cooking.

Answer 7

Here's a trick a chef played on me many years ago at a restaurant I worked at as a waiter. The restaurant was always getting fresh milk and OJ delivered and as a poor college student I assumed it was my right to drink as much of both while I was working. The walk-in was adjacent to the kitchen so the head chef, sous chef, etc always saw me heading in there and eventually figured out the scam. They spiked a half gallon of milk with anchovy oil and I didn't realize it until the first big gulp was halfway to my stomach. Needless to say I came sprinting out of the walk-in, the guys in the kitchen were crying with laughter, and I never stole their milk or juice again.

Answer 8

Talk to them and ask them to stop using your food without permission. You could say something like, "I'd really appreciate if you would ask me before drinking my milk." It sounds like maybe it would be a good idea for you and your roommates to have a meeting together and make some rules that everyone can agree to.

Another thing to do would be to get your own mini fridge and keep your food in there.

Answer 9

Tough one.

Ive been there myself and I would ***** to everyone but the roommates. I did start getting into their food and they noticed immediately. I found out that my roommates were actually hiding food in their closets (not because of me but obviously because of what they were doing with items I bought). I think everything came to a head and I finally told them that its not right that I have to keep replacing items Ive purchased for myself. I dont mind them drinking it but ALL of it? ...not only that I had my own fridge and they were actually getting into that and taking my food. some people are so rude.

I can only suggest that you bring it up to them or it wont stop unless it finally gets to the point that you explode on them. Ive been on the other end of the situation too but! I replaced what I consumed even though they said dont worry about it.

Answer 10

You have ot make a big stink out of it. Throw a nasty fit indicating that you are not there to support anyone's habit, and whoever keeps drinking your stuff is a coward and a cheapskate. I am sure if you throw a fit and everyone has to hear it, one person will give the other up! Then direct all you comments to this individual who then be emabarrassed and not want to touch your stuff again! Or you can post a bulletin with pictures of the "milk thieves" on your floor's bulletin board. I bet the culprit will eventually come out! You have to stand up for yourself or they will walk all over you!