Help for singles

SueDY

I was divorced 10 years ago and am now classed as single again in terms of finance. I feel that as a single person, it can be more expensive and there are fewer tax breaks etc - see this week's money advice for couples for example, Soon to get my state pension but two can live as cheaply as one and I get a smaller pension whilst couples get more. I still have to pay a mortage or rent in some people's cases, and the bills so really the only extra amount couples pay is for food and spending money. They can also get extra interest for savings when they have two accounts. So how about more help for single people ? Any suggestions or am I being unrealistic and even greedy ?

veryintrigued

The tone strikes me as envious

Try and see the positives in being single?

B_G_B

SueDY wrote: »

I was divorced 10 years ago and am now classed as single again in terms of finance. I feel that as a single person, it can be more expensive and there are fewer tax breaks etc - see this week's money advice for couples for example, Soon to get my state pension but two can live as cheaply as one and I get a smaller pension whilst couples get more. I still have to pay a mortage or rent in some people's cases, and the bills so really the only extra amount couples pay is for food and spending money. They can also get extra interest for savings when they have two accounts. So how about more help for single people ? Any suggestions or am I being unrealistic and even greedy ?

In my case, being single again is loads cheaper.

mollycat

veryintrigued wrote: »

The tone strikes me as envious

Try and see the positives in being single?

This^^^^^

I think the people that become focused on unfairness and grudge, (whether real or imaginary) tend to live less happy lives; this can then spiral into widespread disatisfaction about everything.

Focus on things that are positive, (family, health, friends, pets, achievements), challenge negativity if it can creeps into your thinking, plan ways of spending your time that are enjoyable.

It's a shame when people don't really realise how well off they are until its too late, (and i don't mean just financially).

Good luck.

JuicyJesus

I don't really blame the OP for being a bit annoyed that married couples seem to get tax breaks and advantages out the !!!! while single people don't. When being single is already financially harder than being married it smacks of kicking someone when they're down.

mollycat

JuicyJesus wrote: »

I don't really blame the OP for being a bit annoyed that married couples seem to get tax breaks and advantages out the !!!! while single people don't. When being single is already financially harder than being married it smacks of kicking someone when they're down.

I agree with the tax bit; I'm half of a couple but we're not married.

My post isn't admonishing the OP, i'm trying, (not very well) to get her/him to not let the stuff she/he can't control overly effect he/hisr later years.

Many people stuck in unhappy relationships for a variety of reasons would swap places with the OP i'm sure....it's about more than the money.

grumbler

SueDY wrote: »

I feel that as a single person, it can be more expensive

What exactly?
The only I can think of is accommodation, but this depends.

and there are fewer tax breaks

I think most work only if one of two earns little or nothing. If so, it's hardly an advantage.

etc - see this week's money advice for couples for example,

Any example? I see 12 'tricks', I don't see any extra money for a couple.

two can live as cheaply as one

It's arguable, and pretty often one of two doesn't earn anything.

and I get a smaller pension whilst couples get more.

Not more than 2x(single)?

I still have to pay a mortage or rent in some people's cases, and the bills so really the only extra amount couples pay is for food and spending money. They can also get extra interest for savings when they have two accounts.

Well, if you still have mortgage to pay, you must overpay it instead of chasing miserable savings rates.

And is it really unfair that two people can have two accounts where one can have one?
ETA, yes, sometimes they can have an extra, joint, account. Not a great advantage really.

Kim_13

Council tax single person discount is also only 25% rather than 50% that would be expected since a full bill is based on 2 adults living in a property.

I'm guessing the majority would rather not be single, so it does seem unfair that there is not more support for them.

That said, if the system was too generous to single people, more people out there would be pretending to be single.

Some effort should be put into finding a middle ground.

MyOnlyPost

SueDY wrote: »

I feel that as a single person, it can be more expensive and there are fewer tax breaks etc - see this week's money advice for couples for example

The only tax break of being married I can think of is the married couples tax allowance which is worth £232 this tax year and is not beneficial to all couples. The single person rebate on council tax however benefits all single people and for a band A property is probably a similar amount to the couples allowance in most council areas

SueDY wrote: »

Soon to get my state pension but two can live as cheaply as one and I get a smaller pension whilst couples get more.

You don't get a smaller pension, you only get 1 pension. Should people who have 35 years NI contributions not get a pension because they are part of a couple and their partner already claims? Also two can't live as cheaply as one. Two people living togther can live cheaper than 2 people living apart

SueDY wrote: »

I still have to pay a mortage or rent in some people's cases, and the bills so really the only extra amount couples pay is for food and spending money.

Someone living alone could opt for a smaller house or flat and thus lower rent or mortgage payments and lower utilities. Someone living alone should be using less utilities than a couple anyway. Spending money includes holidays, dining out, entertainment etc so is a considerable extra sum.

SueDY wrote: »

They can also get extra interest for savings when they have two accounts. So how about more help for single people ? Any suggestions or am I being unrealistic and even greedy ?

Two people can each have individual bank accounts whether they are a couple or are in no way related, this is not an advantage for couples simply personal freedom.

MyOnlyPost

Kim_13 wrote: »

Council tax single person discount is also only 25% rather than 50% that would be expected since a full bill is based on 2 adults living in a property.

Two adults living in one property is a lower financial burden on the council than 2 adults living in 2 separate properties. Because someone is a single occupier it doesn't half the cost of providing services to that home.

Jibeddy

I can see the OP's point being single myself, a lot of the advice given on the site mentions couples etc. especially this week given it's all about couples advice which also disappointed me a bit as it's just not applicable to me. But at the same time I'm not too bothered, I've learnt a lot from the site and feel confident finding most stuff for myself. Plus being single affords me more money anyways!