Nothing ruins good vibes faster than the awkward “how are we splitting this?” moment at the end of a meal. Whether you just had a casual brunch or splurged on a birthday dinner at a rooftop bar, money talk with friends can be tricky.
So, how should we split the bill without drama, guilt, or the dreaded mental gymnastics of calculating who had what? Here’s a breakdown of different ways to go about it.
1. Split evenly (a.k.a. go Dutch)
Best for: Casual hangouts, similar-price meals, or when sharing food
This is the easiest and fastest way. Just take the total bill and divide it by the number of people. Most of us do this by default, especially when everyone orders something around the same price range or when you’re having something for sharing like pizza or hotpot.
Use Google Pay, which has PayNow integration, for a quick and convenient splitting of expenses. It automatically calculates and notifies everyone how much they owe and keeps track of who has paid.
2. Pay what you ate
Best for: When there’s a big price difference in what everyone ordered
If one person had a $25 pasta and the other just ordered fries and water, splitting equally feels unfair. Use a calculator or an expense-splitting app like Splitwise to tally each person’s items and divide any shared dishes.
3. Take turns paying
Best for: Tight friend groups or couples who hang out often
This only works with mutual trust. One person pays today, and someone else gets the next meal. It balances out over time, and you don’t have to worry about small cents. But only do this if you’re sure it will balance out eventually. This can get awkward if one person forgets or keeps “owing you next time”, though.
4. Set up a common fund
Best for: Close-knit friend groups who hang out regularly or during travels
If you’re always eating out or doing stuff together, consider starting a shared fund. Everyone contributes a fixed amount, such as $50 a month, to a kitty or shared virtual wallet. Use that to cover shared meals, movie tickets, Grab rides, etc. It keeps things fair, avoids small money hassles, and builds a sense of “we’re in this together.”
Consider nominating a “treasurer” to track spending or rotate monthly, and keep things transparent with simple records or an app.
5. Dine at a food court
Best for: Large groups, mixed budgets, or when you just want things to be fuss-free
Food courts and hawker centres are the ultimate hack. Everyone orders and pays for their own food, no need to split anything. Plus, it’s affordable, uniquely Singaporean, and lets everyone eat what they actually want. If you’re still hanging out after, you can always pool for shared desserts or drinks.
Splitting the bill is about respect, transparency, and being considerate. We all have different financial situations, and being chill about money goes a long way in keeping friendships strong. You don’t have to be the friend who keeps receipts like a tax auditor. But you also don’t want to be the friend who’s always conveniently underpaying. So next time the bill comes, just do what feels right for your group and don’t be paiseh to speak up.