Discussion stirs controversy over solo living expenses: "Apparent post brings up the costliness of being single and its underrepresentation in discussions"
**Headline: Living Alone: A Hidden Financial Burden for Solo Homeowners**
A recent Reddit thread has initiated a significant online conversation about the high cost of living alone, with the discussion highlighting the financial challenges faced by solo dwellers, particularly in relation to housing costs.
When living alone, you must bear 100% of fixed costs such as rent or mortgage, utilities, and home maintenance. For example, mortgage and utility bills split between partners are typically much cheaper per person than footing the entire bill solo. Groceries can cost more per person when living alone because you cannot buy in bulk or share food that would otherwise be divided among more people. Smaller portion sizes often cost more per unit, and food waste from perishables can add to expenses.
The average annual homeownership cost in the US is over $21,000, which is fully borne by a single homeowner. These costs include maintenance, property taxes, insurance, and other fees that would be shared in a household with a partner. However, some analyses suggest that living alone can be cheaper in many day-to-day expenses. Shopping, dining out, and travel expenses are incurred for just one person, allowing better control and potentially lower spending.
Single individuals face hidden costs that couples may not. These include food waste and inability to buy in bulk, paying full rent or mortgage alone, lack of shared emergency funds or financial support, social and logistical factors, and avoiding sharing financial liabilities such as a partner’s debts or financial obligations.
In summary, while some daily expenses may be lower when living alone, the inability to share fixed and hidden costs like housing, utilities, and groceries generally makes living alone more expensive on a per-person basis. The "hidden costs" of singlehood, such as food waste and bearing full home expenses, contribute significantly to this financial burden.
The discussion on Reddit has pointed out the harsh reality of shouldering a whole mortgage solo, and the impact it has on personal finances. The cost difference between living alone and living with a partner is nuanced and depends on various factors, including sharing expenses, economies of scale, and hidden costs. The original poster of the viral Reddit post stated that no one discusses the high cost of being single, and the debate sparked by the post has led to a discussion about society's valuation of relationships and its impact on personal finances.
In the ongoing discussion about the high cost of living alone, it's important to acknowledge the significant financial challenges solo dwellers often face, especially with regards to fixed costs like mortgage and utilities, and hidden costs such as food waste and inability to buy in bulk. This contrasts with the shared economy of coupled households, where financial liabilities can be split, potentially reducing expenses. Indeed, the "hidden costs" of singlehood, such as the full burden of home expenses, can have a significant impact on personal finances.
