Roommate Advice

Dear Alexa,

Netflix is my obsession. Once I sit down and start watching House of Cards, I can’t stop for another few hours. But, my roommate doesn’t share the same love for Netflix and wants cable TV. So, instead of sitting down together after a long day at work to watch our favorite show Quantico, we sit and fight about whether to enjoy Netflix or Cable. I just want to enjoy my binge watching again!

Please save me from these late night fights,

Netflix Nancy

Dear Netflix Nancy,

I am obsessed with Orange is the New Black, so I totally understand how you are feeling! Netflix is definitely entertaining but the real problem that you should be worrying about is your relationship with your roommate. Instead of being constantly bothered by the pros and cons of each option, start thinking about how important a friendly, fun relationship is to you.

To solve this problem, let’s take a look at the economic principle of opportunity cost. Under the principle of opportunity cost, when you take a certain action, you are missing out on the benefits of an alternative action. For example, the opportunity cost of making your own dinner is takeout (which normally wins in my house). It is important to recognize that takeout has benefits you sacrifice when choosing another option. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather relax with my family over some steaming hot pepperoni pizza than enjoy the homemade taste of burnt lasagna that took hours to make!

Netflix may be your top choice and the cheaper option, but its opportunity cost is cable and the good roommate relationship that comes with it. Besides, in order to win the next fight over whose turn it is to empty the dishwasher, you need to get some leverage from this fight!  And believe me, once you start watching Monday Night Football, you won’t even miss binge watching House of Cards.

Sincerely,

Alexa

A note: Although there is no Netflix Nancy, her problem is based on the writer’s experience.