Who should get my $1,200?

Question

The state of Alaska is going to send everyone here $1,200 to help pay for heating this winter. I live in someone else's house, paying rent every month. She pays the utility bills. Should I keep the money or give it to her?

One one hand, since I don't pay for the heat, maybe I should give it to the person who does. On the other hand, she does not have higher heating bills because I'm there.

(This is in addition to the Permanent Fund Dividend, the money they give everyone every year for living here, which is expected to be about $2K this year.)

Answer 1

Maybe ask the person who pays the bills if they would want any help paying them in the winter because you also get $1, 200. They might just say no to be polite but its worth a try.

Answer 2

I expect you should keep it, but it you feel guilty, maybe divide it half and half with her. Always take the chance to put a little more spending money in your pocket. Don't take it too hard, just look on the bright side, she's getting her 1,200 also, why shouldn't you get yours?

Answer 3

I would keep like 600 for yourself and give her the rest.  So its even and its a nice thing to do. Or maybe keep the thousand and give  her the 200 if you really need it.

Answer 4

I thought that you all got around $5000 per person.  Or is that a different thing?

Answer 5

split it in half  

Answer 6

You should offer to give her half of the $1,200.00.  She may or may not accept.

Answer 7

Wouldn't she be getting $1200 too??  You did say that Alaska will be sending "everyone" money to help for heating, if dats da case...then i would keep it ;-)

Answer 8

If the money's specifically to pay for heating, then the person who pays the utilities deserves it.

However, consider that part of your rent is used by that person to pay the utilities. So, indirectly, you are paying a portion of the utilities because a portion of your rent probably is going to pay for the utilities.

Keep in mind, too, that your living there probably does raise her bills somewhat. Every time you go iin or out of the house, cold air gets in. If the "heating bill" covers hot water, then every time you take a shower or bath, you're costing some money. And so on. It may not be a huge amount but, all things being equal, if you weren't there, the utility bill would be somewhat less.

I'd offer to split it with her. That'll provide her some compensation for the additional costs you're responsible for. But that will also compensate you for the portion of the rent that you're paying that's going toward utilities.

Answer 9

If the utility bills are included in your contract then I wouldn't give the landlord anything, you said everybody is getting that $ so they will get their share too.

Answer 10

Keep it. It was given to you. People get government handouts they don't deserve all the time. None have any guilt about accepting them. Neither should you. If you still want to give it away, give it to your favorite charity.  

Answer 11

keep it.

Answer 12

tell u what h**l to her. first ur living there so technicly ur paying something

2nd. maybe she woudnt know

3rd. i bet you she will do the same thing if she lived in the house.

its a wild world everyone for themselves ;) take buy ur self something.

Answer 13

the right thing to do would be to give it but i would keep it

Answer 14

I would split it. If it's in your agreement that she pays the utility bills, you don't have to give her any, but giving her half she will recognize that you know the price of heating up this year

Answer 15

If everyone gets it won't she too? Just keep it, you'll probably need it in the future, and you'll be kicking yourself that you hadn't saved it later on.