Calculating Costs of being Single

Hi there. I know everyone''s costs/uses/needs etc are different, but does anyone know if there''s a general ''rule of thumb'' for calculating the cost of gas and electricity for a single person vs a couple? For instance if electricity cost £500 per year for a couple, reduce by a quarter for a single person.

It costs about the same. You still have to heat a property and you still have to cook meals. If the difference is 10% I''d be surprised.

Charles

I would think it would be about the same, if you need to heat a house it doesn''t matter how many are there, same for cooking i would have thought, if i cook for myself i use the same rings oven time ect as if i were cooking for five.

I don''t think costs will reduce too much for things like gas and electric. After all you the house still needs heating and the tv/ lights will still be on and you still need to cook. Plus the current rises in electric and gas prices, I doubt bills will go much lower being single.

You are likely to use less water, but I wouldn''t get too hung up on this remember you are estimating costs so as long as they do not look absurd just make a reasonable judgement using past bills as a guide.

I knew it wouldn''t be much, but 10% is 10%. Plus I have the heating on less! Talking about water, would it be worth having a meter installed?

Huff

I have had a meter fitted as there is only me at home except in Uni holidays and it has definately worked out cheaper for me. I wouldn''t say electric and gas is much cheaper though even though I too do not use as much for heating. Don''t underestimate your costs.

One thing that is reduced is Council Tax - you can apply for a 25% discount for single occupancy.

Cutting costs can be tough with utility bills, but you can really save money going through exactly what you spend your money on and be brutal: Packed lunch rather than sandwich shop, flask rather than coffee shop, read online rather than getting magazines/newspapers, plan your meals to make grocery shopping easier and cheaper, do a bulk cook and freeze portions.

Shop around for the best deals for gas/elec providers, also insurance (home/life/car/pet) etc. You can make quite substantial annual savings.

I''m a frugalite and self proclaimed Queen of Thrift - if I''m not on the site, I''m cruising the clearance section of the supermarket or bagging bargains at the charity shop

Its far from ''fun'' but totally necessary for the time being.