To think it's expensive being single

[rainyinnovember]

Mortgage / rent is more expensive
Council tax
Entertainment
Bills
Shopping

Or am I missing something

being a single parent is even more super expensive.

In fact the main reason I feel it is tough being a SP is having one income for 3 people, as opposed to my friends who have two incomes between 3 or 4 people.

Its a massive disadvantage.

It's possible to improve your situation but the situation may still be tough.

Someone who works in a MW job may save and have their savings taken away when the landlord sells and they need to fund moving costs again.

Your posts are a bit odd Pisseddddofff.

There is nothing to stop a single person saving or retraining but it's harder. Much harder.

i have improved my situation since then. my debts are paid. i have money in the bank but i didnt anticipate housing becoming unaffordable whilst paying off my student debt. so im.still screwed.

I'm a bit old to retrain (new tricks old dogs springs to mind). I have a NMW job I love and am good at, and a second job which is artistic, in which I am well regarded (even slightly famous within a limited circle) but in which earnings can vary wildly. I've raised five kids pretty much alone, four of whom have got very good degrees, and all of whom are employed. I don't owe anyone any money, and, apart from not being able to afford heating, life is pretty good.

I did have savings once, but raising five kids was expensive. And because my earnings can fluctuate so much, any money put away one month will be spent making the following month's shortfall. Rural living is expensive, running a car is expensive. If I had someone to share the costs with, I'd only be half as broke!

Nobody is saying it's not harder, what I guess I find frustrating is the defeatist attitude. It's not impossible, difficult yes of course but it's still a choice.

I'm retraining at 41, I am struggling with technology the guys in my groups use like a reflex, but the alternative is what exactly? Moan the government won't help me when the kids have left home ?

No defeatist attitude, from who? Me? I have (deliberately) said very little about my own circumstances and I certainly haven't mentioned benefits. I'm a bit irritated by your attitude to be honest which I consider a bit hypocritical but there we go.

My attitude is if you aren't happy in your circumstances, change them. Whatever they may be. Thousands of people have to exactly that every day.

They do, yes, and it's harder for some people than it is for others. Why you seem to find that so contentious I don't know!

it isnt a defeatist attitude.

ive done the sums and i physically cannot do it by myself. afford full rent or mortgage all the bills etc.

if there were two of us it'd be fine

Lol I don't find it contentious, I've repeatedly acknowledged it's difficult. What I don't accept is that it's impossible.

Over and out.

Well, that escalated quickly...

Oh, did it? A small amount of contention from a poster who has tried to be goady from the start over a day and a half?

Moan the government won't help me when the kids have left home

Back to the OP - would you be able to save more money if

a) You were in a couple and both kids have left home

b) Were single and both kids have left home?

The couple both have earning potential but the living expenses are proportionally less than the single person - even though the children have both left.

People in a couple can earn / save more money than a single person.

Quite simply, a couple can bring in double the money, but it doesn't cost double the amount for a couple to live, compared to a single person.

Yes, food, bills etc are more expensive for 2 than 1 but not double by any means.

Many couples live in accommodation that a single might live in - the bills might be slightly higher, but not much - so the cost is halved per person.
Holidays charge single person supplements, boosting the cost
Single people buy in Les bulk which is more expensive
Gift giving is more expensive per head usually, and you might find you buy for 5 members of a family - but they only get 1 present for you between them.
Harder to get a big enough mortgage.

It is hard being single financially hard.

My relationship costs me a fortune 😂 I'm sole earner so when it's my birthday, I'm essentially buying my own present. When we go out for dinner I pay for a family of 4 rather than a meal for 3. I don't mind though:)

Well, no it doesn't user.

You have children so I presume your partner saves you in childcare costs.

rainy

Indeed. If someone is not earning money through work, then they are hopefully saving 'the family' money through reduced childcare costs elsewhere.

My husband sometimes makes the complaint about me costing a fortune and it's a really shitty thing to say, even in jest.

My husband sometimes makes the complaint about me costing a fortune and it's a really shitty thing to say, even in jest

That is shitty.

The main thing in my house that costs a fortune is DS

But he's worth it......

Yes, our children cost a fortune too. I suppose they are worth it

Isn't the real comparison of cost between single people and couples without kids?

Clearly kids cost....older ones even more and obv large fa,likes tend to cost more than small ones.

But it is a fact that 2 adults can bring in double 1 adult,whilst the living costs are not double.

I think having children is more of a choice, whereas being single isn't.

"I pay for Netflix which Is about £15 a month "

What? Netflix is 5.99 a month.

" Meals out, cinema tickets, drinks at the pub etc are no cheaper for couples."

No, but couples don't need to go out to get some company. For me as a single person, I either stay in alone or I go out to see friends, which means spending money.

" You say things like "council tax is cheaper split 2 ways" but many couples only have one income, so its not split two ways. "

If someone isn't working they would be entitled to some kind of benefits unless their partner's income is at a certain level. The costs are still split between two adults who have the possibility of either working or claiming benefits.