How to make living alone more affordable

“No one really talks about how expensive being single is.”

That one line on Reddit recently hit quite a nerve, sparking hundreds of comments from people struggling with the cost of living for a simple reason - they live alone.

If you run a household of one, every expense - from rent and bills to food and maintenance - falls on your shoulders.

But if you’re feeling weighed down by this pressure, there are a few ways to keep costs down…

Shop smart to reduce food waste

“I can’t buy food in bulk because it spoils before I can finish it. So buying smaller portions is not cheaper - it’s somehow more expensive in the end.”

This Reddit user will speak for many people.

Although living alone means smaller weekly shops, it somehow conspires to cost more, especially if you want to buy fresh food.

So if you live alone:

• buy frozen fruit and veg - it’s often cheaper and you don’t have to throw it away when it goes bad
• buy loose produce and use the deli counter, so you’re only buying the amounts you actually need
• batch-cook meals and freeze leftovers in single portions
• buy ingredients that work across lots of different meals, like potatoes and spinach
• plan your meals and write a shopping list, so you don’t pick up extras you don’t need

You can find more smart shopping tips here.

Try to avoid packaging premium

“If you CAN buy smaller portions, it’s wrapped in plastic and costs 2x more lol.”

From pre-packed salads to ready meals, solo shopping often means paying more per portion. 

That’s not just frustrating - it’s unfair.

To soften the blow:

• look for community co-ops, markets and local greengrocers where you can buy in smaller amounts without the packaging
• look for yellow sticker deals - reduced-to-clear items near their sell-by date can be a smart way to buy smaller quantities at a fraction of the cost
• keep a well-stocked cupboard - buy long-lasting, budget-friendly and non-perishable staples like rice, tinned tomatoes, pasta, lentils and chickpeas, so you can easily bulk out meals that only need a small portion of fresh ingredients

Look for relief from high living costs

“I'm less concerned about bulk food shopping and more about paying an entire mortgage on my own. I would have so much more money if I could halve that, utilities, etc.” 

If covering your living costs single-handedly is hard, look for ways to trim costs where you can.

• If you’re struggling with mortgage costs, think about downsizing to a smaller home, rather than paying for a space you rarely, if ever, use. That could have the added bonus of lower maintenance costs and cutting your council tax bill.
• If you have a parking space, garage or storage area you don’t need, you could bring in a little extra cash by renting it out locally.
• Check our guides to how you can use energy and water more efficiently so you can lower your utility bills. 

Create a rainy-day fund

“My AC, fridge, microwave, and dishwasher died within a week. Still paying that off. Now if my old car dies, which…..it’s coming, I can’t borrow money to repair or replace it.”

Unexpected costs such as a broken appliance or vehicle are often expensive.

So it’s well worth creating a rainy-day fund - a pot of money set aside for emergencies - so you can cover these costs without resorting to borrowing or dipping into savings.

A good goal is to have enough saved to cover around three months of your living costs - things like rent, bills, food and transport. 

Even putting away a small amount into your rainy-day fund regularly could make a big difference if or when you ever need it.

Get on top of your budget

“Paying 2k a month in bills is what’s difficult for me being single. I’d have an extra thousand a month if I was able to split the big stuff.”

You can feel more in control if you can clearly see how much money you have coming in and where it’s going.

Then you’ll be able to prioritise your spending and work out where savings can be made.

Ask yourself questions like:

• Are there subscriptions I’m paying for but not using?
• Could I switch energy or phone providers to save money?
• What small treats or habits could I cut back on, just a little?

You might be surprised where you can free up a few pounds, which could then go into your emergency fund or help cushion any future price rises.
 
We’ve put together a handy guide on creating a budget, and we’ve got a free budget planner to get you started.