It would quite rightly be expected that being free and single would mean that you spend less money than someone with a partner or a family would. Surely if you have reached your thirties and are without a significant other you would be in a better financial situation, right? Well, unfortunately it doesn't seem to be the case.
A study carried out by uSwitch.com in August 2010 has discovered that over the course of a lifetime being single costs £250,000 more than being part of a couple. Uswitch also found that over the next ten years there are likely to be 9.5 million single people in the UK, all living in single person households. Living alone can cost £5,000 more per year than living with another person due to having to pay for rent, food and bills from one income.
Ann Robinson from uSwitch has also pointed out that the huge numbers of single people in their own homes is worrying due to the lack of housing stock and the fact that a good quality of life requires two incomes in the UK.
The research also found that singles tend to go out less, have fewer holidays and take less care about their appearance. This can lead to depression and a cycle of being stuck in their homes.
If you are just entering your thirties and are still single you may be wondering just what the advantages of your situation are and how you can improve it. You are entitled to a discount on council tax and can more easily regulate your spending on bills. It might be cheaper to install a water meter as you will be consuming much less water than the average home. It is also recommended that debt is carefully managed and that outgoings are watched carefully. This is much easier with just one person doing the spending.
If all else fails getting a lodger or moving in with friends can be a great way to spread the cost of being single. Having someone to share bills and meals with, especially if they are single too, can really improve your lifestyle and even lift your mood.
Financially the advantages of being single in your 30's are few, but having a little bit of freedom, even if it means simply lounging around in your pyjamas must make it all worthwhile.