Latest news with #OneFamily
Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Times
Young couples are staying together for the rent — I should know, I did
You hear horror stories about it all the time. Married couples desperate to divorce but staying together 'for the kids'. They bicker every day, haven't had sex in ten years, but the cost of raising a family alone, or paying for a messy divorce, is an even more crippling fate. It's easy to assume such a dilemma might only fall on older generations yet new research has found that one in five young adults stay in an unhappy relationship to keep costs down. In a poll of 3,000 people aged 18-40 (by the agency Opinium for the Lifetime Isa firm OneFamily), researchers found that young single people were less likely to have cash reserves to fall back on and save significantly less each month. With 21 per cent agreeing that they have stayed with a partner because they can't manage living costs alone, the chief executive of OneFamily, Jim Islam, said the findings prove there's a 'tax on being single'. I have plenty of experience in the matter. Aged 28, with a job in the media and a salary of £29k, I moved in with my (now ex) boyfriend, let's call him Harry, after just one year together. At the time, I was spending 75 per cent of my income on rent and bills — to share a two-bedroom apartment with a friend in north London — and was only able to put £200 in savings each month. Harry and I had a great relationship; it was caring, fun and easy, but the knot in my stomach in the two months leading up to the move told me we weren't ready. If I'm honest, I silenced the growing fears by thinking of all the money I'd be able to save, plus the thrill of having disposable income for all the things I'd waved off as 'unjustifiable' for years: clothes, takeaways, weekends away. • Read more expert advice on sex, relationships, dating and love Within months, unfortunately, my nervous gut proved right — our relationship shifted. It was beyond the usual growing pains of living together. Harry became distant, prioritising two-day benders with friends over date nights. Soon, I found evidence he'd cheated — I was devastated. Our relationship had always been brutally honest; infidelity was the last thing I expected of him. When confronted, he denied it profusely, explaining away the evidence with little success. I knew I had to break up with him, but I also knew I couldn't. It wasn't because I believed him — as much as I wanted to — or because I thought he would change. It was less emotional than that. Amid the gut-wrenching turmoil of the rug being pulled firmly out from under me, my brain went to pure pragmatism — assessing the financial fallout of splitting. Could I move back in with my friend? No, she'd moved out of London. Could I afford to live alone? No, I wouldn't get approved to rent on my salary and my living costs would be extortionate. The alternative was to find a houseshare with strangers, something I hadn't done since a bad experience when I was 23. It would, undoubtedly, feel like I was going backwards. Could I really endure the untold obstacles that come with living with strangers? I cautiously — and secretly — viewed some lower-priced studios (in London, that means £1,300 a month) and found that any I could afford weren't worth living in. Most were so small you could shower, cook and remove mould from the ceiling all at the same time. • Divorced but still living together? It's hell That left one other option: stay and compartmentalise the emotional distress of remaining with a man I now couldn't trust, and our impending break-up, until our lease expired. All things considered, that seemed like the easiest choice — sure, my mental health might go awry, but at least I wouldn't have to uproot my life or ruin my financial future. Over the next seven months my emotions were like a British summer: sunny one second, thunder the next. We still behaved like a couple, eating dinner together every night, going on dates — we even spent my birthday in Dubai together. I was tortured by the shame of staying, yet somehow still in love, relishing the moments we were happy, knowing they would end soon. I had set myself a goal of doubling my salary — logic out of the window, along with my dignity — so that I would never be in this situation again. And actually, after some lucky openings at my company that led to two promotions in quick succession, I was almost there by the time our lease expired. We broke up a month prior to this, both in agreement that things weren't working. We'd long ignored the fact that some of our plans for the future didn't particularly align (he wanted kids, for example, I wasn't so sure) — and after that trust was fractured, our dynamic was never the same. I'd spent the past seven months checking out emotionally and it was clear to both of us that it was time to call it quits. I was free mentally, albeit now burdened by the cost of paying £1,600 rent alone (my salary might have risen, but my disposable income certainly didn't). I'd come to learn it was worth it, however. • Don't divorce, argue with your spouse better When I've shared this experience with friends, many have admitted that financial pressures have played into their decision to stay too. One knew her relationship wasn't working for a year before it ended, but had just started her own business and didn't have enough savings to feel comfortable managing bills alone. Another was made redundant and suddenly found herself reliant on her wealthy partner, living what she described as largely 'separate lives' for the rest of their relationship. Experts now worry that the mental toll of the single tax is long-lasting. 'The emotional exhaustion of staying is rarely spoken about, and the cost-of-living crisis has only heightened these fears,' says psychotherapist and divorce coach Eve Stanway. 'Living too long with tension, conflict or emotional disconnection can chip away at self-esteem, feed anxiety and leave people feeling hopeless or trapped.' After moving out of our shared flat, I spent six months in therapy — the emotional trauma I had compartmentalised finally caught up with me. I ended up with severe anxiety, my brain channelling the fear and stress I felt at being so out of control of my life into a phobia of being trapped (the irony isn't lost on me) in small spaces like the Tube, lifts or a plane. My sense of self took a hit too. I'd always prided myself on being strong enough to walk away from a bad relationship no matter the cost — evidently, just not the cost of rent in London. Therapy certainly helped, as did the fact I'm now in a better place financially. I've taken it as a lesson in resilience and I will never let the allure of living more comfortably speed up the pace of a relationship I'm not sure about. As the saying goes, you can't put a price on freedom. The writer has chosen to remain anonymous
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Driscoll's 'One Family, One Earth™' Campaign Recognized For Its Community-Driven Storytelling Approach
WATSONVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Driscoll's, the global market leader in fresh berries, was recognized for its 'One Family, One Earth™' campaign highlighting community investments and environmental sustainability initiatives. Part of the campaign includes a docuseries that demonstrates Driscoll's vision of enriching lives through the real stories of the growers, harvesters, employees and grocers who work together to bring Only the Finest Berries™ to consumers around the world. The docuseries spotlights Driscoll's commitments to the art of growing, environmental stewardship, a thriving workforce, and vibrant communities. 'Driscoll's is a family-owned business that started in 1904. For more than a century, we've cared deeply about the people who grow our berries and the communities in which we live and work,' said Garland Reiter, Jr., Chief Commercial Officer, Driscoll's. 'This campaign honors the people who pour their hearts and souls into bringing the most flavorful berries to tables all over the world.' The latest installments of the 'One Family, One Earth™' campaign embraces a new creative direction focused on long-form, educational storytelling. This approach positions Driscoll's as a socially and environmentally responsible brand. The campaign was recently recognized by international marketing bodies for its creative excellence and authenticity. Honors include: 2025 AVA Digital Awards - Platinum Winner Category: Video Production | Long Form Video | Video Series 2024 Marcom Awards - Platinum Winner Category: Video/Audio | Video/Film | Series 2025 Telly Awards - Bronze Winner Category: Campaign – Corporate Image 2025 Digiday Streaming and Video Awards - Finalist Category: Best Brand Film or Series 'One Family, One Earth™' continues to grow in scope and impact as Driscoll's deepens its investment in its berry-growing communities, and 2025 marks 20 years of Driscoll's Giving. As a community-based business, Driscoll's partners with independent growers, employees, and local experts to identify community needs, working with local community leaders and nonprofits to develop projects centered on purposeful investments supporting education, health, youth development, water stewardship, and conservation programs. Since 2005, Driscoll's employees have donated 117,867 volunteer hours supported with matching gifts to nonprofits. Driscoll's has awarded $29M in grants and sponsorships to over 585 organizations across 13 countries. This fall, Driscoll's will continue its partnership with Reading Is Fundamental, the nation's leading literacy nonprofit, to bring books and berries to underserved elementary schools in its California growing regions for the third year. For more information on 'One Family, One Earth™', visit About Driscoll's Driscoll's is the global market leader of fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage, Driscoll's is a pioneer of berry flavor innovation and the trusted consumer brand of Only the Finest Berries™. With more than 900 independent growers around the world, Driscoll's develops exclusive patented berry varieties using only traditional breeding methods that focus on growing great-tasting berries. A dedicated team of agronomists, breeders, sensory analysts, plant pathologists, and entomologists help grow baby seedlings that are then grown on local family farms. Driscoll's berries are grown in more than 20 countries and are available for consumers in more than 40 countries across North America, Australia, Europe, and China.
Daily Mail
11-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
One in five young people can't afford to break up
One in five under 40s admit they have stayed in a relationship to make living costs more affordable, new data suggests. The survey of 3,000 young adults, by Lifetime Isa provider OneFamily, found nearly three in ten single young adults do not have an emergency fund, compared with one in six in a relationship. Single savers said they manage to put aside an average of £301 per month - around half the £609 those in relationships are saving. OneFamily boss Jim Islam said: 'These stats are shocking, people are potentially staying in unhappy relationships because the bills are too high to contemplate managing on their own.' 'It's a tax on being single, made worse by the rising bills.' Experts recommend keeping between three and six months' worth of essential spending in cash savings to fall back on. This must cover rent and mortgage payments, utility bills, food shopping, insurance and any other essential monthly spending in the event a person should lose their job or fall ill. Households spend an average of £2,062 on essentials each month, according to a report from stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown. This means people would need to have between £6,186 and £12,372 saved for an adequate emergency fund. Mr Islam said: 'Building a savings pot absolutely supports financial resilience, which means less vulnerability to the ups and downs of life.'
The Independent
11-08-2025
- Business
- The Independent
The ‘tax on being single' revealed in new survey
A new survey reveals that one in five young adults in the UK, aged 18 to 40, are choosing to live with a partner primarily to manage living costs more affordably. The research highlights a significant financial disparity, with single individuals less likely to have an emergency fund (29 per cent) compared to those in a relationship (16 per cent). Single savers put aside an average of £301 per month, which is roughly half the £609 saved by those in a relationship, underscoring increased financial strain for single people. Jim Islam, CEO of Lifetime Isa provider OneFamily, suggested that some individuals might be staying in unhappy relationships due to the high cost of living, describing it as a "tax on being single." Mr Islam stressed the importance of financial independence and good savings habits, advocating for these topics to be taught in schools to build financial resilience.
The Advertiser
11-08-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Till debt do us part: high costs keep couples together
One in five young adults in the UK have stayed with a partner to make living costs more affordable, a survey found. Some 21 per cent of people aged 18 to 40 said they had done this, according to the research published by Lifetime Isa provider OneFamily. Opinium carried out the research for OneFamily among 3000 people across the UK aged 18 to 40. With day-to-day living often costing more for single people, the research also found single people were less likely to have an emergency financial cushion to fall back on, compared with couples. Nearly three in 10 (29 per cent) young adults surveyed who are single do not have an emergency fund, compared with one in six (16 per cent) people in a relationship. Savers who are not in a relationship said they manage to put aside an average of STG301 ($A621) per month - around half of the STG609 that people in a relationship said they have for monthly savings. OneFamily CEO Jim Islam said: "These stats are shocking, people are potentially staying in unhappy relationships because the bills are too high to contemplate managing on their own. It's a tax on being single, made worse by the rising costs of bills. "Financial independence is crucial, since it enables freedom. It needs to be something that is talked about in schools alongside good savings habits." Islam said "building a savings pot absolutely supports financial resilience, which means less vulnerability to the ups and downs of life". One in five young adults in the UK have stayed with a partner to make living costs more affordable, a survey found. Some 21 per cent of people aged 18 to 40 said they had done this, according to the research published by Lifetime Isa provider OneFamily. Opinium carried out the research for OneFamily among 3000 people across the UK aged 18 to 40. With day-to-day living often costing more for single people, the research also found single people were less likely to have an emergency financial cushion to fall back on, compared with couples. Nearly three in 10 (29 per cent) young adults surveyed who are single do not have an emergency fund, compared with one in six (16 per cent) people in a relationship. Savers who are not in a relationship said they manage to put aside an average of STG301 ($A621) per month - around half of the STG609 that people in a relationship said they have for monthly savings. OneFamily CEO Jim Islam said: "These stats are shocking, people are potentially staying in unhappy relationships because the bills are too high to contemplate managing on their own. It's a tax on being single, made worse by the rising costs of bills. "Financial independence is crucial, since it enables freedom. It needs to be something that is talked about in schools alongside good savings habits." Islam said "building a savings pot absolutely supports financial resilience, which means less vulnerability to the ups and downs of life". One in five young adults in the UK have stayed with a partner to make living costs more affordable, a survey found. Some 21 per cent of people aged 18 to 40 said they had done this, according to the research published by Lifetime Isa provider OneFamily. Opinium carried out the research for OneFamily among 3000 people across the UK aged 18 to 40. With day-to-day living often costing more for single people, the research also found single people were less likely to have an emergency financial cushion to fall back on, compared with couples. Nearly three in 10 (29 per cent) young adults surveyed who are single do not have an emergency fund, compared with one in six (16 per cent) people in a relationship. Savers who are not in a relationship said they manage to put aside an average of STG301 ($A621) per month - around half of the STG609 that people in a relationship said they have for monthly savings. OneFamily CEO Jim Islam said: "These stats are shocking, people are potentially staying in unhappy relationships because the bills are too high to contemplate managing on their own. It's a tax on being single, made worse by the rising costs of bills. "Financial independence is crucial, since it enables freedom. It needs to be something that is talked about in schools alongside good savings habits." Islam said "building a savings pot absolutely supports financial resilience, which means less vulnerability to the ups and downs of life". One in five young adults in the UK have stayed with a partner to make living costs more affordable, a survey found. Some 21 per cent of people aged 18 to 40 said they had done this, according to the research published by Lifetime Isa provider OneFamily. Opinium carried out the research for OneFamily among 3000 people across the UK aged 18 to 40. With day-to-day living often costing more for single people, the research also found single people were less likely to have an emergency financial cushion to fall back on, compared with couples. Nearly three in 10 (29 per cent) young adults surveyed who are single do not have an emergency fund, compared with one in six (16 per cent) people in a relationship. Savers who are not in a relationship said they manage to put aside an average of STG301 ($A621) per month - around half of the STG609 that people in a relationship said they have for monthly savings. OneFamily CEO Jim Islam said: "These stats are shocking, people are potentially staying in unhappy relationships because the bills are too high to contemplate managing on their own. It's a tax on being single, made worse by the rising costs of bills. "Financial independence is crucial, since it enables freedom. It needs to be something that is talked about in schools alongside good savings habits." Islam said "building a savings pot absolutely supports financial resilience, which means less vulnerability to the ups and downs of life".
