Do single people have an economic advantage in today's economic climate? (money) - Frugal Living - City-Data Forum

Time and Space · 03-12-2010, 01:48 PM

In today's economic climate, who has the advantage, single people or a couple?

I tend to lean towards couples...I think two incomes are always better than one.

Let's say one person generates $24,000 after taxes....but they pretty much have the same expenses as 2.

Where as 2 people earning $24,000 a year is $48,000....I think that's a better cushion to live on than $24,000...

Will people start getting married just to weather the economic times?
Or even getting roomates to split the expenses?
Good idea, bad idea?

Oildog · 03-12-2010, 01:54 PM

Couples, if something bad happens you can have someone to fall back on.

eggalegga · 03-12-2010, 05:36 PM

Two people have twice the food bills, medical bills, clothing bills, and sometimes automobile/commuting expenses.

I would consider getting a roommate to help with expenses if I needed help. I think marriage is for people who want kids....and that doesn't apply to me.

HappyTexan · 03-12-2010, 06:00 PM

Well you don't have to get married but I can picture multiple generations of families now living together pooling their money. Or single people taking on roommates.
Good friends could go in partnership in buying a property and sharing expenses even.

las vegas drunk · 03-12-2010, 06:26 PM

Couples definitely have the advantage because of living expenses. I am single, but I share a place with another guy which is the same difference. I could not afford to live on my own income.

tasmtairy · 03-12-2010, 07:35 PM

I have been thinking lately of getting someone to rent a room from me for economic reasons. 2 incomes are definitely better than one.

texdav · 03-12-2010, 08:03 PM

I think in these times the single person does. One because they have no one else to worry about .They can live at a lessor cost. They have much more flexibilty to move to a new better income location;much cheaper. If two work and the lifestyle is based on two then it can get tough quickly if one loses their job.Being resticted and more expaives to move when you have to move and only one job offer and the other has to quite. I always found I had no problems when unmarried and alot more responsibity once it was not just me.Have kids;it gets alot more complicated.

AnesthesiaMD · 03-13-2010, 05:46 AM

I say single people DO have an advantage, but this is coming from someone with a 1 income family. lol. But also, most single people dont have kids, which is DEFINITELY an economic advantage. Then even if you have two incomes and no kids, both partners have to be on the same page when it comes to spending.

Submariner · 03-13-2010, 06:09 AM

In a per-person context; two people are less expensive than one.

"Cheaper by the dozen"

Two individual people renting apartments cost two apartments worth. Two people sharing an apartment will cost exactly half.

AnesthesiaMD · 03-13-2010, 06:22 AM

In a per-person context, yeah. But good luck with that. I just dont know how easy it is to find someone with the same economic goals and strategies. One person in the couple can easily spend all of their salary and then some of yours too. Or at the very least encourage you to spend it on things you may not have otherwise bought. Then married people USUALLY (not always but usually) end up eventually having kids. Then any economic advantage you had before goes right out the window.