Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

The financial inequities of being single

13 replies

CampaignToo · 27/08/2021 14:23

It was first brought home to me when we were claiming child benefit, that the taxation system is really unhelpful for single people. At that time, it worked in our favour, a couple with an income of almost £100k were entitled to full child benefit. One person with an income of £60k wasn't.

Since then, I have been widowed and I'm in a very good financial position, I'm not facing any hardship and I'm not complaining as such, but it has made me think. Examples:

I will get a small pension from DH's employer. Much less than he would have got, but enough to tip me into the higher rate tax bracket. A nice problem to have, I agree, but if DH was alive we would have paid significantly less tax on more income and my living costs are not significantly reduced by his death. Even without the higher rate issue, "we" could earn much more tax free than I can alone.

Train travel. We had a Two Together rail card, giving savings of 30% on all trips. Significant over a year if you travel a lot. You can have a rail card as a family, a young person, an old person, but afaik not as a single person over 25.

Single supplements for any holiday are way more than I ever realised.

241 offers on meals out and tourist attractions are completely useless to me and must mean I am subsidising couples who are able to take advantage of them.

So, my living costs are almost the same, my income is less, my tax is more and everything is more expensive too.

OP posts:

Freesssh · 27/08/2021 14:29

Yes @CampaignToo I am in a lucky position too financially but always noticed the inequalities in my single years and particularly when I had less money.

Blackberrycream · 27/08/2021 14:43

You’re right. There is a singles penalty in addition to the expected costs of supporting a household on a single income.There was a thread on this a bit ago though and I hope this doesn’t go the same way! It was enlightening to see some of the attitudes to single people…

SevenOldLadies · 27/08/2021 14:50

Single supplements for any holiday are way more than I ever realised

It’s not just the single supplements. I was looking to book a holiday for Spring next year and the total cost (not price pp) would have been cheaper for 2 than it was for 1, as the company was giving a discount that didn’t apply to singles. All inclusive, so not even as though it’s the “justification” always trotted out on here that two people spend more in bars and restaurants.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General money

midsomermurderess · 27/08/2021 14:53

If I'm holidaying alone, I don't even look at package holidays. I regard essentially excluded from them.

ChrissyPlummer · 27/08/2021 14:56

If you are in the SE (former Network South East area), you can get a Network Railcard that gives discounts. If you commute and have a ‘Gold Card’ season ticket, that can also be used as a railcard on other journeys and for a friend as long as they travel with you.

SevenOldLadies · 27/08/2021 14:58

@midsomermurderess

If I'm holidaying alone, I don't even look at package holidays. I regard essentially excluded from them.

Same, usually, but thought it might be worth it in the current climate! But they clearly don’t want my custom so will find someone who does.

SimonedeBeauvoirscat · 27/08/2021 14:59

Housing and holiday are my two bugbears. It is SO expensive to own or rent home on one salary. Ditto the cost of hotel rooms and apartment rentals.

NoEffingWay · 27/08/2021 15:01

It was always the things like council tax only being reduced by 25% as a single person, it made no sense to me as a reduction.

Running a house for one person was so expensive-just keeping the utilities in order ate a lot of my income.

I was single for much of my 20's and missed out on so much because housing and feeding myself left hardly anything for holidays etc. I had the body for a bikini but no beach to lay it on!

Seagullsstopit · 27/08/2021 15:08

I have one of these, it's pretty good and pays for itself in no time

Cerebelle · 27/08/2021 18:23

Yes I ameliorate it somewhat by having lodgers although it's obviously not a perfect solution.

On the other hand, it's still cheaper than when I had my workshy ex living with me and contributing nothing. I also very much like the independence and feeling like I am obliged to no one but myself financially.

I tend to go on holiday with casual boyfriends, a friend or family member.

BarbaraofSeville · 27/08/2021 18:29

But if you have two people, you have to feed and clothe two people, plus you don't get everything on 2 for 1, far from it.

If you feel agrieved by the tax rules, you could always pay more of your wages into your pension, so you don't pay tax on it.

Blackberrycream · 27/08/2021 18:35

Presumably two wages too. Not everything is 2 for 1 but that doesn’t negate the disparity.
I would expect the disparities make it harder to save for a pension pot.

elaeocarpus · 27/08/2021 19:42

@SevenOldLadies

". I was looking to book a holiday for Spring next year and the total cost (not price pp) would have been cheaper for 2 than it was for 1, as the company was giving a discount that didn’t apply to singles."

I often wonder about actually booking for two... and that person just doesn't turn up....

Flip