Lone living = discounts etc

tboo

If the property is unable to get a water meter then ask the supplier about Single Occupancy Tariff


Its a discount below the normal water rates for sole occupants


Some water authorities may not offer it though

Nelski

Single too so agree with everyone re the council tax being the only one really. Our area has been on water meters for donkeys years so guess thats in the mix too.

Just thought Id chuck in some thoughts that with years of singledom i have found can save a few pennies

Have more freezer space than you think you need for one person
I have a half one in the kitchen and a full one in the garage always crammed with left overs /batch cooking stuff/yellow stickered bargains

Buy a good size slow cooker (oval not round) then you can cook wole birds or good size joints then freeze

Forget takeaways for one they are awful and way too expensive save them till you have mates round

Dont buy pressies for everyone in a family ....its not fair you need to discuss before the event but I got sick of spending hundreds at christmas and getting back a bath robe :rotfl: I know its not all about that but singles tend to get the bum wrap at the festive season

Team up with friends if its worth it...I have a costco card with my buddy so quite often buy in bulk then split

As above for things like gym memberships

Ill keep thinking but thats the first brain dump ....us singles need to stick together lol

moneyistooshorttomention

Absolutely Nelski:T

I used to find that re presents - ie it felt like I was giving 2 (or more) presents and getting one back. Not a good "rate of exchange".

When my brother & his wife had two children I started out by giving them presents - and found that boiled down to 4 presents per year (Christmas and birthday) and the Easter Egg bit. But it was all one-way. If my brother had "paid back" by helping me with DIY for instance - then I would have thought "Oh well - it guess it evens out that way". But that never happened....

Re the freezer space - I've got a freezer taller than myself and it's full. I think I could maybe even do with more freezer space - but there isnt room for it anywhere. I will buy whatever-food-I-want personally (and it's always the organic version if there is one) BUT I do try and stash away what spare food I'm growing in the garden I can to help out through the rest of the year (some apples about to go in there later today - as applesauce, as the bugs got to them too much to eat "as is").

kittieviolet

I am a single too. I share my grocery shopping with my Dad who also lives alone since my Mum died. Asda delivers to mine, Dad and I share the delivery fee. We also share single items eg a box of eggs so 3 each. Dad then comes up to mine (only a few streets away) and has his dinner with me and picks up his shopping. Also on a Saturday, I will pop down to his and cook a dinner with both of our left overs from the week.
We also share resources eg I look after his various insurances/energy bills and make sure that he is on a good deal and being a practical chap, he will do little jobs around the house for me.
It has helped having a 'buddy' with whom I can share resources and skills

GreyQueen

A council tax trainer once explained to me that council tax is the !!!!!! offspring of the rates and the poll tax, and the reason we singletons pay 75% of the liability is that 50% of the bill is based on the property and the other 50% is based on there being two adults in the property. Therefore, you're getting half of one half, off.


Water meters, yup, money savers. If you're in a flat that can't be divvied up from the block's supply to fit a meter, there is a halfway house called Assessed Charges. Which is based on what you'd probably be using if you were on a meter, based on data for households of your type. Ask about this with your local water companuy.


Other than that, beggar all savings as a single. Rooms cost the same to heat whether there is one bod or two in them. You might want to take turns to cook with a pal, such as alternate Sunday lunches or something like that.


Of course, your furnishings only have half as much wear & tear and your washer will probably last longer as it'll run less frequently, but there aren't a lot of savings to be had, sadly.

buildersdaughter

Lots of good advice. I would add:
Ensure that utility providers know she is 'vulnerable' in case of services being cut, or similar.
Does she have anyone who calls in on her because of her health? Ensure that she is registered with a GP, and any other service that she needs. Consider some sort of 'alarm' - for instance a regular phone call at the same time every day or week, to know she's OK.
How well does she know the area? Make sure she knows / finds out about things like the local library, bus routes, activities suitable for her age / interests / condition. Where I live, most villages have a weekly coffee morning or similar, for free / small donation, open to all residents.