I’m starting to get an itch to rent on my own – but is single living worth $17,000 a year? | Maddie Thomas

One day I hope to be able to shoulder the cost of an entire apartment, and with no boyfriend waiting in the wings to pay half, I won’t be happy about it, but I will be readyGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailAny relationship comes with perks and pitfalls. But data out of the UK this month revealed it costs £860 (around A$1,500) more a month to be single, begging the question: is living alone really worth £10,000 (A$17,000) a year and what does it get you?Living in a share house, I am starting to get an itch to rent on my own. And while the biggest barrier to doing so is undoubtedly the rising cost of rent, it is also the cost of being alone.Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morningMaddie Thomas is an editorial assistant at Guardian Australia