A single man living alone on JSA

Andybez38

How much should i be spending on a weeks food shopping. I have found food to be really expensive just lately. I dont wanna live on packet noodles everyday but want to be able to eat healthily.

LumpyCustard_2

This single woman living on JSA spends about £20 a week, and for that eats very well with plenty of fruit and veg (not much meat as I don't like it). But you can probably do it for a lot less if you meal plan properly.

Clowance

would suggest you either work from a list of the weeks meals - (pasta and potato or rice based) or at least set yourself a portion cost - we work on £1 maximum per meat portion(keep it small) but it could be less eg if you have sausages.
Frozen veg can be cheaper than fresh, and lidl and aldis special offers on fruit and veg are usually worth a look. Perhaps go shopping in the evening to try and hit the out of date stuff going cheap?
Jacket potato with cheesy beans would be nutritious esp with salad.
A packet of decent mince could be split into at least 4 portions.

lynzpower

If you are a salad eater, could you grow your own in a seed tray/ plasticx box etc. This wil save you a fortune. try seed swapping sites if you are that skint- and councils often give away free compost might be worth asking.

We spend 35 a week for 2 adults & a dog and includes a lot of M&S and predominantly sainsburys ( inc basics) Id expect 15 should be sufficient for just you, maybe less with some bulk cooking.

Try quorn mince you can often get this for a pound and is good for lasagnes etc, - we eat it cos its low fat, low cholestrol ,cheap and above all no nasty gristly bits!

lynzpower

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1157641 also take a look at tihs thread, tis brilliant!

Stubbarama

Have you got a decent sized freezer ? Cooking in bulk will save you money as someone has pointed out, A decent sized pack of mince an own brand sauce and a packet of spaghetti will be about £3 and you can split it 3 or 4 portions depending on your meal size.

Same with a curry, get some frozen chicken portions and a suace and bulk it out with some veg you like.

I went into Aldi's the other day and theyre cereals are at least half the normal price fo their brand equivalents. Their bread was also around 40p if Im not mistaken and it tasted like normal white bread to me.

Yasmine1984

Maybe about £20?

We are 4 people (2 young children) and we spend about £70 per week I think.

Most of the Basic things are really good.

It depends on how much meat you eat though. I found that is the most expensive items on our list. (also because we eat halal only,non halal meat is a lot cheaper)

Cornishpixie_2

Meal planning and batch cooking are the key. Evening shopping is also a good idea. And maybe visiting supermarket twicw a week, with a list. Less change of waste then. Also don't be afraid to buy say a large bag of carrots cheap, as you can soon use it up, grated onto salads, in pasta, put in bolognaise then freeze portions or make carrot soup. Ditto meat, can be cooked divided up and frozen in portions. Also as suggested I tend to base my meals around pasta, rice, noodles, or potatos. A jacket pot with filling and salad is healthy and cheap as you could make 2 meals out of that. And don't be afraid to experiment. The store cupboard challenge is a good thread to look at. Good luck

Yasmine1984

Also try cooking for 2 days and freeze the 2nd portion for when you fancy it.

I usually cook for more than 1 day also,and then I can use the 2nd half for whenever I don't feel like cooking.

harlina

blimey how on earth does one person live on food for £20!
Me and my husband plus my dog in our huse i spend £160 a wk!
I know u can buy cheap pasta ect but u cant live on that forever
I must say my bill has gone up about £20:rolleyes:

Yasmine1984

Harlina,,it is very easy to spend £160 a week on shopping also. Especially if you eat meat/ready meals etc every day.

But if you buy cheap brands it won't get to that I think.