28yo reveals brutal reason she says she needs to ‘couple up’

A young Aussie has revealed the reason she needs to “couple up” and it is grim and very 2024.

The cost of living crisis has made most of us rethink what we can afford, but one young Aussie has revealed she’s not sure if she’s earning enough to be single anymore.

Taye, 28, works in marketing and lives on the Gold Coast. She shared on social media that having a partner seems vital to securing a better financial future.

After looking at the current rental prices, she realised she’d need to “couple up” if she ever wanted to buy a home.

Right now, she’s paying $365 a week for a room in a small two-bedroom apartment, but her rent is set to increase by an extra $50 next month.

The 28yo revealed why she feels like she needs to ‘couple up’. Picture: Instagram/taye_taye__

She’s shared the cost of being single. Picture: Instagram/taye_taye__

Breaking Ground – a 2024 report from the Queensland Council of Social Services – exposed the Sunshine State’s house prices and tenancy rates as outpacing the rest of Australia since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report found prices in Brisbane have increased by 65 per cent, almost doubling the Australian capital city average (34 per cent). New tenancy rents sharply rose by 45 per cent over the same time period.

Taye has been renting since she was 17 and she’s watched first-hand as people who have coupled up and stayed at home have gotten further ahead.

“I see people who have been able to stay at home or move in with partners now being able to afford houses or have great savings while I’m out here trying to just afford my rent and bills every week,” she told news.com.au.

Taye can hustle as much as she likes, but she’s aware that making the most of one salary in 2024 isn’t that easy.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to afford to buy a house unless I have a dual income to contribute to it,” she said.

The cost of being single explains why financial comparison website Finder’s survey found 15 per cent of Aussies have moved in with a partner earlier than expected.

The research also found that one in 10 of us has shacked up earlier than planned to make rent more affordable – equivalent to more than 290,000 households who have rushed romance to counteract the spiralling cost of living.

Taye can see the reason a dual income can make life easier. Picture: Instagram/taye_taye__

She’s been living out of home since she was 17. Picture: Instagram/taye_taye__

For the Queenslander, she’s always prided herself on being able to support herself but it is just getting harder.

The average home price in Queensland has exceeded $800,000, and that is a big mortgage to service on your own, let alone get approved for.

“I’m so happy making my own way, but the older I get and with the rising rent prices, I’m realising how hard it is to afford everything on one income,” Taye said.

“My friends and family members that have partners can split room rent prices, groceries and utilities.”

For Taye, the desire to meet someone is increased by the allure of not having to shoulder every financial burden on her own.

“It’s really been the last few years where I’ve felt hindered by being single, I’m spending a lot more on rent and bills than my friends with partners,” she said.

“With my rent increasing recently I’m trying to apply for other places quickly so I’m stress looking for available housemates online, then also look for rentals during work time by myself, and to plan the moving out and bond clean by myself is always stressful,” she said.

She’s well aware, that she’s paying a single person tax.

“I just think if I had a partner to help out in these scenarios it would be a lot easier and less stress on me.”

Originally published as 28yo reveals brutal reason she says she needs to ‘couple up’