Single Brits are being penalised for living alone - so here's a few tips to make sure you're not overpaying because you don't need a partner.
Here's the grim facts. Singletons are spending £9,769 more per year on everyday household bills compared to those living with a partner according to new research from Uswitch.com.
They examines monthly living expenses by people living without a partner including rent and mortgages, water, council tax, broadband, energy, TV streaming and home insurance.
Those living without a partner are paying, on average, £180 more for broadband per year in comparison to those living with a partner or friends and family. Food-wise they are £696 worse off on groceries.
But don't worry, there's a plan!
READ MORE: 'Bigfoot or skinwalker' as mystery footprints twice the size of human's discovered
For the latest news from the Daily Star, click here .
Uswitch.com Sabrina Hoque said: “The single person tax is real, and it’s not surprising that singles are feeling the rising cost of living even more strongly than other households.
“Singles often have to pay similar monthly costs as couples do on bills such as home broadband - so if there’s no one else to split bills with, those living alone may feel unfairly penalised.
“With single homes now accounting for one in three households, home services and utility providers should be taking notice of this group - which can span all ages and stages of life - and do more to understand their needs.
“Just as single households can get discounts on council tax, all home service providers could do more to ensure there are affordable products and deals on offer that suit a single person’s needs and income.
“In the meantime, for singles - it’s even more important to avoid overpaying on bills, and also look for savings beyond the bigger fixed costs such as rent and mortgages. Pounds saved each month on broadband, mobile phone and streaming services can all add up.”
The research also revealed that women are more adversely affected by the single-person premium, paying almost half (48%) of their income on average in comparison to men (44%). Here's some tips to help
Sabrina’s tips to avoid overpaying for being single
- Mobile: Make sure you’re not paying for a handset you’ve already paid off. If you’re more than two years into a handset contract, it’s likely time to switch. See what offers are available for you if you switch to a SIM only deal and you could save £360 over 12 months.
- Broadband: If you live alone - you might not need the fastest speeds or biggest bundles available, but that doesn’t mean settling for rubbish speeds or an unreliable service, so make sure you’re on the best value plan for your needs. Also consider exploring regional provider options that are local to you. Uswitch data shows switching to a new broadband deal after your initial contract has ended could save you £179 a year.
- TV subscriptions : If you live alone - you can only watch one thing at a time, so try and stick to a single TV subscription at a time based on what you’re watching - and remember to cancel as soon as you’ve made it through your series binge. Some providers such as Netflix and Disney Plus offer cheaper options if you can face sitting through a few adverts. There are also lots of free TV available to stream including BBC iPlayer (if you have a TV licence) as well as on-demand services for ITV and Channel 4.
- TV licence: Remember, if you only stream on-demand TV shows and films on services such as Netflix and don’t watch any live TV or BBC iPlayer content - you don’t need a TV licence. This could save you £159 a year.
- Entertainment : Some home services, including mobile and broadband providers, offer perks and discounts to their customers on everything from cinema tickets to streaming subscriptions. Make sure to check all offers that are available to you.
- Music streaming : Getting all of your music in one place, such as Spotify, will help keep streaming costs under control. Free plans are available with ads - but if you live with a friend - you could split a Spotify Duo subscription for £14.99
- Energy : Energy rates are still high, so it’s important to only pay for what you need. Make sure to submit regular meter readings to avoid incorrect billing, and track your usage with a free app such as Utrack to find simple ways to save by changing your habits.
- Council tax : Single person households are entitled to a 25% discount on their council tax bill so make sure you claim this when you pay through your local council.
- Home and car insurance : Insurance premiums usually rise every year - so even if your insurance was the best deal when you took it out, the renewal quote may not be as competitive. This means it’s important to shop around. Use a comparison website such as Uswitch to see what the best offers are when you come to renew.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking
here.
