What can a single person use on this board?

Graham_S_4

hello
this has probably been done before - so sorry - merge away

just wondering how many people on OS are living on their own - i have spent all weekend with the SC on - in 3 days i have done 7 chilli - 6 sausauge casserole and 5 steak & kidney with dumplings. so that is 18 meals (i have frozen 3 kilos of mash in little bits to have with it)

i don't have to cook evening meals for the next few months - i am also trying not to buy my dinner for the canteen at work - so i will take leftovers - or a butty - or soup.

so are there any more os'ers out there dping the same

Cheers

Graham

PS i bought a 3.5L SC - glad i didn't get a 6L

Graham_S_4

i was also going to add - going home to an empty house - no matter how nice it smells is not very nice.

every one who has some one else to go home to - or to spend the day with - appreciate what you have - you are very lucky x

G
x

ambergold

Graham, you sound lonely. I was alone for five years and I hated it with luck you will meet the right person for you soon.

ti1980

Hiya

I don't live on my own, live with other adults but I cook for myself when I can be bothered. Before finding this site I used to have ready meals most nights and a shop bought sandwich or ready meal at lunch too. As I get a discount on meals at work I always assumed (wrongly) that it would be cheaper to get my meals there but for the most part it is cheaper to make my own and I have control on what goes into them so I can make it exactly as I want it.
I'm not a good cook at all though and I'm not adventurous in the slightest when it comes to cooking so I stick to making pasta and bulgar wheat, make 4-5 portions and normally have one that day and stick the others in the freezer. Though I made risotto a few weeks ago and was really proud of myself as it came out well, just wish it wasn't such a faff to make! I would bulk cook more but our freezer space is limited as we each have our own food and half my 'space' has things like frozen mince, a bag of mixed veg of some sort and some ice cream usually(yep, even in this weather!) so I can normally only fit one batch of bulk cooked food (4-5 portions).

Its a pity I didn't find this board for a few months as I thought it would be completely different to what it is but I am so grateful that I have found it as I have picked up so many tips and as a result saved money which is what this fabulous site is all about.

squeaky

Hi Graham,

As you can see I've merged your thread with an older useful one on being OS and single and you'll need to read this one from the beginning to catch up.

Other threads on similar subjects are linked below, and the MEGA Index sticky is well worth a browse for all sorts of tips.





Old Style cooking for one
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=128770

Steamers and cooking for one
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=67263

Cooking for one
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=19204

help a single saver
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=57504

moggins

I just wanted to add that even in a houseful of people you can still feel lonely. DH never seems to be home with the silly shifts he works and when he is home he's asleep. The kids regard me as the live in maid and sometimes I crave some adult company. What I'd give for an elderly neighbour who wants a daily chinwag

nabowla

Sometimes I think it's easier to be OS when you're on your own: there's no-one else to complain about the smell of vinegar or poking suspiciously at the 'bits' in the HM meal that you've lovingly prepared from scratch. Plus you don't have to share the leftovers with anyone else

I go through phases of cooking large batches of food for the freezer. Right now it's almost empty so I'm off to the farmer's market shortly to stock up on meat that I can turn into lots of ready meals for one. I've also been doing the 'Feb use up' challenge this weekend - have taken out all the stuff at the back of the cupboard and am trying to turn it into yummy meals. The HM bread wasn't a great success but the poached fish was superb and the soup should be ok (fingers crossed!).

lallyaya

I'm single and at home its just me and Keith, my goldfish, who is pretty cheap to look after! If you don't have a freezer get one and a slow cooker!

I freeze loads, not just stews, soups etc but also things like baked potatoes. I cook a pile of them in the oven till nearly done cool and freeze in a big tupperware box, then just microwave. Not as good as properly baked ones but miles nicer than microwaved and as well as being quick they save a pile on electricity. I also cook things like rice in big portions till nearly done and freeze in single serving batches, just drop in boiling water for a couple of minutes - again saves electricity as, because i;m trying to be healthy I eat brown rice which takes ages.

I save a lot of money by eating loads of pulses I get the dried ones and soak them as again its much cheaper than canned, the extra cooking time needed does not outweigh the cost. I make things like three bean chilli and spicy tomato chickpeas, lentil curry etc, cheap, tasty and healthy.

Whilst I eat fresh fruit and salad veg I generally buy veg like broccoli frozen, it saves waste or getting sick of the same veg 5 days in a row! I buy the value range whenever possible as these are exactly the same as the regular range but not all the same perfect size - I can live with this when they are half the price.

I'm off to have a look round the links posted for more ideas!