the cost of water – single renters are paying the bulk

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household, ireland water charges, person household, single, singleton, taxes, water, water charges, water tax, water taxes

For years Irish households have been paying a tax for water and waste but now the Government has decided that is not enough and has created a new water and waste tax per household.

The discussion about this new water tax has been in and out of the media over the last few years but in five months time, when 2014 turns to 2015, it will become reality.

Today figures were released on what water will now cost and of course it is about 20% more than the Government said it would be back in April, steep inflation if you ask me.

A single household will now be paying a yearly fee of €176, about €14.67 a month, to use the tap to wash, flush and drink. This breaks down to about half a cent per liter ,you use about ten to just flush the toilet, when calculated on an average usage of 52,000 liters per single household a year.

What is surprising however is that it isn’t calculated per person as a two person household cost €278, just €102 more. Why that is is unclear, as two people, generally speaking shower twice, flush twice, have twice the amount of washing, drink twice a s much and have twice as many dishes. So why isn’t it double the cost, why do singles pay €76 more?

Children go free, as the Government says they will cover their costs, but that money is really only coming from the taxes, meaning the extra €76 paid by single occupants. Of course the cost for children is probably calculated into the €102 paid to cover any additional adult in a household, but it is clearly not nearly as much as the singles are paying extra.

Occupants do have the option to install meters, this means they will be charged on a consumption-basis.  But for many areas  this isn’t easily done, due to old  pluming and architectural issues, and most landlords won’t want to spend the cost of installing them into homes they are not living in.

This means that if you are a singleton who rents you will be paying nearly 70% more a year just to use the tap.

 

fireman Johnny and millionaire Mark

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advertisement, facebook, love, paso doble, photo, relationships, single, stalking

Like many people all around the globe I too have a facebook page, however I really am not for posting what I’ve had for breakfast or that I have popped out to buy some milk, nor am I on it 24/7. In essence Facebook is just an easy way for me to keep in touch with certain friends and acquaintances in my life, and to play the odd game of solitaire. 

However lately the ads that pop up on the side of my page are quite entertaining and a little stalkery. On a  daily basis fireman Johnny and millionaire Marc appear smiling up at me, declaring they are single and only live 6.8Km away.

I have no idea who these men are, if they are who facebook claims them to be, nor do I know if they are single, or how even facebook knows that I am. But since they keep showing up with that hopeful look on their faces I want to tell facebook, Johnny and Marc thanks for the offer but please stop stalking me.

And if they can refrain from appearing before me maybe I should stop playing solitaire and go out and learn how to dance a paso doble … or at the very least buy myself a cuddle cushion that facebook shows me when Johnny and Marc are taking a break.

this picture made me laugh out loud, a cuddle cushion for all us single gals out there

lying in the bed I made

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bed, blame, dancing, hug, humour, love, ramblings, random, single, thoughts

As I poured the milk into my tea this morning I really got annoyed, the milk had gone off over night and now my morning beverage was filled with unsightly chunks. But what upset me the most was that I was the only one to blame.

As a single living by myself (not by choice or design) I have to take all the blame for any unpaid bills, forgotten groceries, mess in the kitchen and even if that chocolate I was saving for times of need (we all have them) disappears before its time. Sadly, there is no one else to point the finger at and at times this can get a little bit tiring. Even worse, since no one is around to then make you that much needed cup of tea, pour a relaxing glass of wine or give you a well deserved hug, your tired-self has to even do that on its own.

But of course there are many benefits to living on your own as well. You don’t need to ask if you can have the last slice of cake, so even if you baked it you can eat it too! You can twirl to your hearts content if a twirl-worthy song jingles from the radio and dancing to ABBA, singing along at the top of your voice while cooking is not judged either. Well, unless a neighbour walks by and sees your silly single behaviour through the window.

As I folded the laundry and put clean sheets on my bed, I suddenly realised, that although I would love to snuggle up to that special someone, at least I can lie diagonally in bed if I like and I get to keep the entire double bedspread to myself.  What luxury, so I think I’ll make my own bed and lie in for now.