Single person tax — the cost of not settling

Emma Reynolds
Nov 5 · 3 min read

As we leave behind hens, stags and weddings; and fast approach Christmas and oh-em-gee NYE celebrations that just must be Instagramed or else did it even happen (spoiler; it definitely will have happened), I am left counting my pennies as I look at my depleting bank balance, trying to understand how a professional in her thirties, doing reasonably well, would be in such a position. Now, I don’t wish to fearmonger here but I think I’ve figured it out and it’s not pretty. I’m worse off because we have designed most things for pairs, which means for the singletons out there it’s an expensive time to be alone. Which is a real kick in the proverbial fanny, quite honestly.

Research tells us that choosing to remain solo will cost you, at the very least, £2,000 per year (and I still think that is being a little conservative). Yes, but what about council tax reductions, I hear you cry. Yes, as a single occupant you get 25% off your council tax, which is helpful, but where’s the other 25% coming from? We are building a world that financially benefits pairs whilst ignoring the cost on the individual who chooses not to follow the crowd or perhaps has a different map and fancies a wander. And who doesn’t like going for a wander, TELL ME? *takes a deep breath*

As living costs in the UK increase around 2.4% a year on average, any additional financial loss is hugely impactful. As a new solo life dweller, I was given the joyful reality check of realising how expensive it is to be single in 2019. Whether it’s attending weddings alone (so, so expensive and I regret how I didn’t think about this ALL OF THE TIME when arranging my own), taking trains (the brilliant ‘Two Together Railcard’ that provides 25% off travel and relies on you both travelling together often — so whilst not specifically for couples, probably still couple targeted then), food shopping where packaged meals are often designed for two; and more, it’s all rather costly to not be coupled. Yet we know more people are choosing a solo life, with the Office for National Statistics reporting that a record 35% of over 16’s are single, and single occupancy homes are second in the most common household sizes. Which begs the question — when is our economy going to catch up and change how it treats people who choose a life without a partner?

There is hope; Japan is leading the way in developing spaces for partner-free folk, from individual karaoke booths to purchasing individual portions of ramen to be eaten in individual booths; dispelling the myth that having fun or dining alone is something of an anomaly. In the States, Betty Crocker is developing baking kits specifically for one person, while Whirlpool have developed smaller appliances, recognising that people living alone don’t need family sized units for their clothes or dishes. It might be slow but businesses are starting to recognise their need to change as society and its constructs change.

So, step away from Hinge, back away from Tinder and disable Bumble single friends; don’t let the financials encourage you to pair up. In the wise words of Catherine Gray, ‘at some point, we all have to learn how to walk into a party or a restaurant alone. Otherwise, we will be willing to walk in with ANYBODY (or worse, walk out with anybody)’. Which is useful because what single person can afford to eat out anyway?

Written by

Learning and innovation in mental health by day, freelance writer by night. Cares about own fanny and the fannies of others; and acceptance for all.

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