The Great "Single MoneySaving" Hunt

Peartree

Remember 'single' isn't necessarily synonymous with 'skint' (although believe me I've been skint in my time and know what it's like!) and after living alone for some time I do think you have to be a bit pragmatic to be a real single moneysaver (or a bit more disciplined than I tend to be).

When I reflect on the amount of food I throw away (and therefore the money I've wasted) because it seems more economical to buy a family sized quantity (thinking you'll eat it on more than one day or freeze it or whatever), I now keep telling myself that I can just go and buy an individual portion of something, even a bit more luxury, and still come out on top financially.

Having the benefit of plenty of storage space under the stairs, I certainly buy lots of things in bulk - loo rolls and the like. But on perishable food I'm really strict on myself and try not to get seduced by the bigger packets or the BOGOFs (although it is almost torture not to benefit from the savings!).

At the risk of being controversial though, what gets me is the very many ways in which we are penalised financially for being single (given that there are so many single households in the UK) compared to the the level of services a single household utilises - and a bit of moneysaving on food, etc, can't compensate for that. I'm a wishy-washy Guardian reading liberal type who believes strongly in contributing to the next generation and to those who have had fewer opportunities in life than I have had. But I must confess that I am starting to see red when I hear about benefits for 'hard-working families' yet again - especially when they appear to be going to households in rather more comfortable circumstances than my own!

lilac_lady

Peartree, I've just left the ranks of single, fulltime workers and become a State Pensioner. Already I'm better off when I consider that I don't need to buy clothes for work, have a free bus pass and will get extra money to help with my heating bill next winter. You're right, single working people living on their own are at the bottom of everyone's list when it comes to handing out taxpayers' money.