Do couples pay the price for being in a relationship?

Anatidaephobia

For me, I actually think the biggest problem with cooking for one is that I couldn't be bothered half the time. If there was nobody else there who cared about what is being cooked (or even knows what I'm going to have for dinner), I'll lose motivation and can't be bothered doing anything that requires too much effort, whereas cooking for two feels more worthwhile. Maybe I just have lazy tendencies though; I know not everybody feels this way.

I did also find that certain things are more hasslesome or costly to buy because of the way they are packaged. Fruit and veg doesn't always come separately in the supermarket - yes, you can go to a greengrocer's or a market but that requires more time and effort so it's not always first choice or even an available option when buying last minute for dinner on your way home. If you buy bread, you have to freeze half the loaf; I disliked buying a smaller loaf because the smaller loaf of my preferred brand isn't actually a same-sized loaf with fewer slices, it's literally smaller slices of bread, and the different size annoyed me. For milk, one size carton was too big yet the other option was too small so I'd either run out of milk or waste some. It's nothing particularly life changing but it's just little things which are slightly different and I do find it better shopping and cooking for two.

Anatidaephobia

I also feel I have more options being part of a couple. When single, if I wanted to do something; sometimes it could be difficult to find someone to do it with.

For example, going to the cinema, having to track down all your friends and find someone available at the same time you were who wanted to see the same film you want to; or if you wanted to go to a gig, you'd have to find someone who wanted to see the same act you did, was willing to commit months (sometimes years) in advance and could afford the tickets. I'm not saying it was impossible but I'm sure everyone has had times when they wanted to do something and their friends were all busy/broke/not up for it so you missed out.

Whereas now I can just book tickets to anything I want without consulting my OH, I know he'll come with me even if he doesn't fancy whatever it is, so it'll be fine.

System

Anatidaephobia wrote: »

For me, I actually think the biggest problem with cooking for one is that I couldn't be bothered half the time. If there was nobody else there who cared about what is being cooked (or even knows what I'm going to have for dinner), I'll lose motivation and can't be bothered doing anything that requires too much effort, whereas cooking for two feels more worthwhile. Maybe I just have lazy tendencies though; I know not everybody feels this way.

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You're not the only one. I HATE cooking for just me, 9 times out of 10 i don't see the point. Yet when i'm with my bf have no issue for cooking for both of us!

Gloomendoom

The odd thing is that I enjoy cooking and it never bothered me having to cook for one, two, or more. However, since getting married, I've hardly cooked at all.

I'm trying to get back into it but now I can't find a damned thing in the kitchen. It's all been rearranged since it was "mine".

missbiggles1

Anatidaephobia wrote: »

I also feel I have more options being part of a couple. When single, if I wanted to do something; sometimes it could be difficult to find someone to do it with.

For example, going to the cinema, having to track down all your friends and find someone available at the same time you were who wanted to see the same film you want to; or if you wanted to go to a gig, you'd have to find someone who wanted to see the same act you did, was willing to commit months (sometimes years) in advance and could afford the tickets. I'm not saying it was impossible but I'm sure everyone has had times when they wanted to do something and their friends were all busy/broke/not up for it so you missed out.

Whereas now I can just book tickets to anything I want without consulting my OH, I know he'll come with me even if he doesn't fancy whatever it is, so it'll be fine.

Sorry, that doesn't make any sense. Why didn't you just go on your own?

SandC

Last gig I went to I went alone. It was ace and Ill do that again. Schmoozed my way right to the front which is difficult to do in a couple or group. The last one before that I bought 4 tickets but only one friend wanted to come so the next time I thought 'stuff it'. 😁

Hermia

SandC wrote: »

Last gig I went to I went alone. It was ace and Ill do that again. Schmoozed my way right to the front which is difficult to do in a couple or group. The last one before that I bought 4 tickets but only one friend wanted to come so the next time I thought 'stuff it'. 😁

I go to a lot of stuff on my own as I have weird tastes and there are benefits. I often find it is easier to get a single seat at the front or for almost sold out events. I have even been given a seat for something that is supposed to be sold out a couple of times.

I do think it is cheaper to be in a relationship because the savings on rent and utility bills eclipse everything else. But I think other stuff does not need to be expensive when you are a single.

cootuk

What about a couple (one on a low wage) who have baby, and, due to cost of childcare, one doesn't go back to work.
You gain child benefit, but lose a wage.
Definitely less spending money than being single.

Gloomendoom

cootuk wrote: »

What about a couple (one on a low wage) who have baby, and, due to cost of childcare, one doesn't go back to work.
You gain child benefit, but lose a wage.
Definitely less spending money than being single.

Less than being single with a baby?

missbiggles1

cootuk wrote: »

What about a couple (one on a low wage) who have baby, and, due to cost of childcare, one doesn't go back to work.
You gain child benefit, but lose a wage.
Definitely less spending money than being single.

You're comparing oranges and apples.