How much does it cost to live on your own?

studentphil

Alleycat wrote:

Theory is all well and good, but in reality it is not often the case. In general pay rises have not increased in line with costs across the board. As fuel prices increase, so does the cost of the things you buy. There have been reductions in places as we buy more cheap goods from the far east etc, but that is not always a good thing. Cheap item that breaks quickly compared to paying more for a quality item that will last years.

As an average earning couple we have seen our 'free' money decrease. You cannot possibly use the amounts people are paying for their services today to estimate your potential costs in a few years time.

I accept that prices , inflation and cost of living is not a simple one.

At the moment my income potential will probably be about 900 to 1000 a month(even less Net) so there is no way I could afford to live on my own.

lemontart

Bargain_Rzl wrote:

Beth - yes, but Phil is talking specifically about living alone, and about moving into somewhere where he's living alone from the start. Therefore in his case, he will at least have the freedom to consider only a studio or one-bed property unless his budget permits a larger place.

Yes I realise that but I was merely pointing out that certain costs are non dependant on occupancy rates. Also tv license costs same regardless.

I know couples that have shared bedsits and studio flats over the years, a case of cutting your clothe as they say.

I think a fair way to judge cost of living alone is on variable costs such as food, fuel, etc

Beth
xx

piper5

phil please stop... its pointless and noone can give you the direct answer you are wanting they can only give you estimates that you aren't accepting. IT ALL DIFFERS AND ITS IRRELEVANT NOW TO THE TIME YOU ARE LOOKING AT.
please admit defeat and start a thread about something realistic!!!

Alleycat

Why not? £950 per month, net is £797. Rent £250, council tax (remember only for 10 months per year) £65, gas/electric/water £100, internet/phone/tv licence £50, groceries £100 - £565. Still money left over for other stuff like socialising, travel, birthdays/christmas etc.

studentphil

piper5 wrote:

phil please stop... its pointless and noone can give you the direct answer you are wanting they can only give you estimates that you aren't accepting. IT ALL DIFFERS AND ITS IRRELEVANT NOW TO THE TIME YOU ARE LOOKING AT.
please admit defeat and start a thread about something realistic!!!

Okay, an answerable question I think.

Is it possible to pay council tax, bills, clothes, food, travel on (after rent) £ 400 a month?

Edinburghlass_2

Alleycat, you're forgetting one important point....

he has to get a job first and

lets not even go there :rolleyes:

studentphil

Alleycat wrote:

Why not? £950 per month, net is £797. Rent £250, council tax (remember only for 10 months per year) £65, gas/electric/water £100, internet/phone/tv licence £50, groceries £100 - £565. Still money left over for other stuff like socialising, travel, birthdays/christmas etc.

Looking at rents to live near my Mum and Dad, I think 300- 400 for a one bed flat is more of a reasonable figure.

Alleycat

studentphil wrote:

Okay, an answerable question I think.

Is it possible to pay council tax, bills, clothes, food, travel on (after rent) £ 400 a month?

Yes........

Alleycat

studentphil wrote:

Looking at rents to live near my Mum and Dad, I think 300- 400 for a one bed flat is more of a reasonable figure.

You would LIKE to live near your parents. It is not a NEED. You could therefore find suitable housing at £250 per month in and around Leeds.

cupid_s

studentphil wrote:

I accept that prices , inflation and cost of living is not a simple one.

At the moment my income potential will probably be about 900 to 1000 a month(even less Net) so there is no way I could afford to live on my own.

you'd manage!

if you're earning about 1000 per month, that's £830 after tax/NI. There is no reason why you couldn't afford to live on your own on that!