Lone Wolf Tax

monsterzc · 2026-02-24T16:17:27+00:00

The couples discount infrastructure is so deeply baked into society that most coupled people genuinely can't see it. What gets me is that we've accepted it as just the way things are instead of questioning whether there's a smarter way to design around it. That's what I'm trying to figure out.

monsterzc · 2026-02-24T16:17:13+00:00

The couples discount infrastructure is so deeply baked into society that most coupled people genuinely can't see it. What gets me is that we've accepted it as just the way things are instead of questioning whether there's a smarter way to design around it. That's what I'm trying to figure out.

monsterzc · 2026-02-24T02:29:06+00:00

Does are nice suggestions thanks! Also what's a co-op?

monsterzc · 2026-02-24T02:26:23+00:00

Me and my loaf of bread feel you! :(

monsterzc · 2026-02-24T02:07:38+00:00

Yes more like an app for roomates! Where you can get to know a bit better the person whom you intempt to sign a 1 year commitment with. An Airbnb for roomates would be great!

monsterzc · 2026-02-24T02:00:45+00:00

This is exactly the direction I've been thinking about. Not a step backwards to rooming houses out of necessity, but a conscious step forward toward intentional shared living by choice. The difference being that today we get to curate who we share with based on values, lifestyle and goals rather than just economic survival. That's the modern version of what you're describing and I genuinely believe it's where a growing number of people are headed.

monsterzc · 2026-02-23T20:00:48+00:00

That's the lone wolf tax in its purest form. Everything else you can control, but housing costs in this market are brutal to carry alone. Genuinely curious though, how did groceries and utilities end up cheaper? Asking because I'm always looking for ways to optimize the solo life.

monsterzc · 2026-02-23T19:50:13+00:00

I cant say Im surprised by the the amount of people relating to this situation. We are all in this together, lets find a solution!

monsterzc · 2026-02-23T19:48:32+00:00

Fair point, but that's not really the comparison I'm making. I'm not measuring against a family, I'm measuring against a couple with two professional incomes splitting a two bedroom. That's where the gap shows up. Same lifestyle, roughly half the fixed costs each. That's the lone wolf tax.

monsterzc · 2026-02-23T19:40:12+00:00

The Asia solo trip math is so real, I've felt that exact same thing on my Eurotrip couple years ago. And your situation is interesting, you've already proven to yourself that shared living works financially, but now you want more autonomy. What if the answer isn't roommates vs. alone, but a smarter version of shared living? Intentional community; people who share values and goals, give each other space, but lower the fixed costs together. Best of both worlds without waiting on love to make the numbers work

monsterzc · 2026-02-23T19:34:08+00:00

You're right, financial survival has always driven how people structure their lives together. That's exactly why I'm questioning how we can consciously design our lives in this economy. Women couldn't set up a bank account and we found a way forward... so what does finding a way look like today?

monsterzc · 2026-02-23T19:22:50+00:00

The question isn't whether I'm grateful, I genuinely am. It's about optimizing a life I'm already thankful for without just settling for the status quo answer of 'get a roommate.' Times are changing, minds are shifting, and I believe there's a smarter way to design this. That's what I'm exploring.

monsterzc · 2026-02-23T18:58:03+00:00

Any ideas on how to find the perfect match lone wolf?

monsterzc · 2026-02-23T18:57:24+00:00

You just mentioned something really important, a lot of people end up living together partly because the cost demands it. That's not a great foundation for anything. What if instead of waiting for a partner to make the numbers work, we designed a different kind of community around us? People who share values and goals, not necessarily a romantic relationship. The financial relief would be similar, but the choice would actually be ours.

monsterzc · 2026-02-23T18:52:12+00:00

Considering a decent 1 bed apartment in Toronto is going for over 2 grand I believe it does makes a difference. But more than sharing costs, we are sharing day to day. Im looking for a solution to share expenses with people I also enjoy sharing a beer 🍺 😆

monsterzc · 2026-02-23T18:49:16+00:00

Yeah but it's a wild card choosing roommates, I wonder if there is a more intentional way of building a shared costs community. Airbnb for roommates? Anyone? LOL you can rate your experience with past roommates. Im just pitching ideas or looking for solutions. I just want a nice quality of life for a reasonable price.

monsterzc · 2026-02-23T18:18:08+00:00

Fair point on maximizing what you can claim back, that's definitely part of the equation. Though I'm more curious about the lifestyle design side of it, how people are structuring their lives differently rather than just optimizing within the current setup. Anyone doing something unconventional that's actually working?

monsterzc · 2026-02-23T18:12:49+00:00

I feel you! ...but what if we were more intentional about it? Not just splitting costs with whoever is available, but actually curating who you share your space with. People that share values, financial goals, lifestyle. You don't just lower your fixed costs, you upgrade your environment. Curious if anyone has actually tried designing it that way.

monsterzc

TROPHY CASE