7 Ways I Save Money As A Single Person

We don't split rent but we do have options.

Welcome to Cheaper Than Therapy, a newsletter for 80s babies by Shani Silver.

I’ve never been very adept at mathematics, but I do know how to calculate the financial savings involved in splitting rent with a romantic partner. More specifically, I know exactly how much money I haven’t had as a result of being single since age 26. The average age of marriage for woman in this country is 28.4 years old, we can assume most live together for a bit before the wedding, so essentially the entire time all partnered American women have been splitting rent and a bed with someone else, I’ve been paying twice as much as all of ‘em for the roof over my head. By my calculations, in 17 years I’ve spent roughly $150,000 more in rent alone than people in partnership.

While this could be considered a financial detriment…you know what fuck it, it is one, it has also required me to become incredibly skilled at saving money. Not just because I have to be in order to afford to live comfortably and safely, but also because singles are more in need of an “oh shit” savings account than others who have the available support of a partner. It is not easy to constantly operate with frugality at top of mind, quite frankly it can get pretty annoying. At the same time it is also productive and beneficial, so I thought I’d kick off the new year on a smart financial foot.