The Cost of Being Single (not single mums, proper single)

neverdespairgirl

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

Also don't have to have the annual argument about where to spend Christmas.

We don't have that either. Different religions. Saves a lot of grief.

carolt

chucky wrote: »

just an observation and not directed at anyone in particular but... the same people that are negative about the economy and other related stuff are the same people that are negative and not too positive about relationships too...

weird but very true...

Not always true.

In fact, dare I say it, largely untrue.

iB1

twirlypinky wrote: »

what about the cost of joining match.com! I was single for three years and it was a nightmare in everyway shape or form. I realise there are pros, but i have no idea what they actually were. It was lonely, expensive and pretty darn depressing. Spent the entire time feeling like a poor unattractive freak.

Really? :eek:

I'm single right now and really enjoying it I'm not sure if it's different being a bloke (I'm assuming you're a woman) but I love being able to do what I want when I want - even if that includes watching sport all Sunday like I did last weekend

I can head off and see my friends at the drop of a hat without causing concern that I'm neglecting anyone else.

I agree that it's more expensive being single in some ways, but in others - no birthday present, no valentine's day present, no anniversary present, one less Christmas present (more if you include the in-laws)...

chucky

carolt wrote: »

I am clearly the 1 out of 10 couple that doesn't claim welfare.

is child benefit welfare?

for someone with 3 children that's nearly £2,500 they're receiving from tax payers...

some would also describe child tax credits as welfare....

PasturesNew

ess0two wrote: »

Why scrimp on necessities?yet on another thread you paid a few k for a secondhand car.

It's by scrimping on some things, you can afford the things that are more important. I need a good car for getting about, job hunting, commuting (if/when I get a job). Shoes are unimportant.

PasturesNew

Graham_Devon wrote: »

I'm not. I live on my own. Just an extra payment going out each week for my son aswell as buying a multitude of varying aparatus.

And the pointless shoes thing...lol. Meant buying the other person shoes.

Ah, I'd seen a thread where you said you were going to be a dad, then the change of pic to a baby ... assumed it was yours and you'd made an honest woman of the mother.

People buy other people shoes?? How bizarre.

twirlypinky

iB1 wrote: »

Really? :eek:

I'm single right now and really enjoying it I'm not sure if it's different being a bloke (I'm assuming you're a woman) but I love being able to do what I want when I want - even if that includes watching sport all Sunday like I did last weekend

I can head off and see my friends at the drop of a hat without causing concern that I'm neglecting anyone else.

I agree that it's more expensive being single in some ways, but in others - no birthday present, no valentine's day present, no anniversary present, one less Christmas present (more if you include the in-laws)...

I can see the less presents thing as a bonus, i'll give you that, but if we're going to be calculating about it, you receive all those back too.

And i don't think i suffer from those negatives, i'm quite happy for my boyfriend to watch sport on telly while i read a book or see my friends, and he's happy for me to go out, we certainly don't worry about neglecting eachother. I'd never tell my boyfriend he couldn't do something because he should be with me. Why on earth would i want him with me when he'd rather be doing something else? That would make me feel crap.
It's also useful on nights out. We live a £25 taxi ride from the nearest proper night life town, but now we have each other we can wait up and collect each other, and at least that way you know the other has got home safe. When i was single i'd have to pay for a taxi and get a bit down about coming home to an empty flat with no one to care about my safety when i got there. Certainly no one to meet me in town and drive as near as they possibly can to the bar because they know my shoes are killing my feet.

Sorry this stopped being financial didn't it!

[Deleted User]

This is crazy.. I'd have waaay more spare cash if i was single rather than married + baby

* wouldn't need as big a place to live (and could live closer to work, so less transport costs)
* wouldn't be invited to twice as many weddings (inc. stag-dos, birthdays ect)
* wouldn't need to buy partner birthday, anniversary or valentines presents

The only state handout we get is our child benefit money. Stop whinging your single people, enjoy your freedom to do what you want, when you want instead

Prudent

Chaos_A.D. wrote: »

Agree with you PN as far as costs go. On the other hand I like being single, most people I know who are married or in a long term relationship are miserable as sin, on top of that they are so inextricably linked with finances especially, that splitting up is a nightmare, so they just plod along each day.

Bottom line is 40% of marriages don't make it, out of the other 60% how many have had affairs ?, how many are unhappy ?, how many wished they were single again but are or feel trapped ?

I'd hazard a guess that deep down less than 25% of people in a long term relationship end up making it to old age happy. Those odds are crap.

It might be more expensive to be single, but I'd sooner my happiness be based on what I make of life, not what someone else does.

Firstly apologies - I am just skimming post as need to go out.

I have to agree with a lot of these points.

I am single in a that I don't live with my partner. This is my choice. I have been through the whole marriage/ divorce bit. It very expensive and left me a terrible financial position. Eight years on I have been able to buy a nice house of my own and pay off the mortagage, renovate it (all my own choices as no-one to consult) and have built up decent savings.

In general I like living on my own. My partner can visit, we can go on holiday, go out for meals, be there for each other in times of need. Yet I still have my own space, make my own decisions about my house and finances and have no risk of losing lots in a divorce or separation.

It does have a cost. I have averaged out my household bills over the year and they come to £300 a month. Shared this would be £150. All repairs/ decorating I pay for myself, but then there is less wear and tear.

My partner wanted us to get a place together when my dd leaves home in a year or two. I am happy to stay how I am. I think it is a small cost for a good life balance.

Just as a note PN, not all single mums rake in benefits. I only get £121 a month total. This does not cover costs. I obviously don't expect the state to support my dd - that's my job. But I have lost financially not gained. I am worse off as a single mum than a single person.

chewmylegoff

i would gladly pay the higher costs just to have the TV remote back for a few hours a week.