Single Money Saver living on my own

Trying_to_save_2

Hi Everyone :hello:

I guess this idea for single money savers is probably already on a utilities thread somewhere, so sorry if its 'old hat' - but one way of saving is to have a water meter fitted. I was going to have one out in but when I bought my flat, there was already one fitted.

In my area, the Water Board will fit one for free and then you have about a year to see how you get on with it. If you decide to keep it, you can't then change your mind and if you buy a place with one fitted, you can't have it taken out.

My neighbour is a single mum of 1 DD - her water bill is about £54 per month whilst mine is £13.50.... I have a water butt in the garden for my plants and I always takes shaowers. I also have a dehumidifier and when that is full, I tip the water from there into my bird bath.

One of the best things ever if you live alone - probably not so good for families - but its one other good thing for us single..ies:j

Fiona

ZCC72

I too am a single DFW! There are a lot of us out there!

Unfortunately, I inherited the debt when split from OH, but am getting myself sorted.....

Am currently a fan of Soup and Chilli con Carne. Latest soup - fab recipe:

Spiced Parsnip:

1 1/2lb Parsnips;
1 onion (chopped);
1tsp ground coriander;
1/2 tsp ground cumin;
1/2 tsp ground turmeric;
1/4 tsp chilli powder;
2 pints chicken stock.

Melt the butter, and fry the onions & parsnips (diced) for about 3 minutes. Add the spices, fry for a further minute. Add stock (cubes are fine!), season, and simmer for 45 minutes. Blitz in a processor/with a blender. It's lovely!! It makes enough for 6, so loads left to freeze. If you wanted to, you could make it a bit posher for a dinner with friends, etc - warm the prepared soup, add a small carton of single cream (bought reduced, of course!!) and snip some (homegrown) fresh coriander over the top!

Will keep watching this thread for handy hints - well done everyone!

Stephen_Leak

IMHO, this thread is also useful for us singletons ...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=731373

GavB79

I am trying to embrace OS and am cooking with a lot of fresh veg etc., but being single I find I'm wasting a lot!
I cannot eat a whole thing of broccoli or cauliflower without getting sick of it, and bags of carrots and parsnips etc. are often cheaper in value bulk bags than smaller bags. How should I be storing this stuff to make it keep best? Cool dark place or fridge?
Freezing isn't really an option.

Also, I know it's nothing to worry about but what is the nutritional value of fresh veg? I've gone from consuming too many calories to wondering if I'm consuming too few!

shimmigirl

I am not single - but only one in my house that eats broccolli - I just break off as many florets as I want from broccolli stalk in supermarket, so buy only what I will use.
Carrots keep well in the fridge usually 2 weeks.

givememoney

GavB79 wrote: »

I am trying to embrace OS and am cooking with a lot of fresh veg etc., but being single I find I'm wasting a lot!
I cannot eat a whole thing of broccoli or cauliflower without getting sick of it, and bags of carrots and parsnips etc. are often cheaper in value bulk bags than smaller bags. How should I be storing this stuff to make it keep best? Cool dark place or fridge?
Freezing isn't really an option.

Also, I know it's nothing to worry about but what is the nutritional value of fresh veg? I've gone from consuming too many calories to wondering if I'm consuming too few!

See my thread about Lakeland bags

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=672813

I have bought some and they are really good.

sparrer

GavB79 wrote: »

I am trying to embrace OS and am cooking with a lot of fresh veg etc., but being single I find I'm wasting a lot!
I cannot eat a whole thing of broccoli or cauliflower without getting sick of it, and bags of carrots and parsnips etc. are often cheaper in value bulk bags than smaller bags. How should I be storing this stuff to make it keep best? Cool dark place or fridge?
Freezing isn't really an option.

Also, I know it's nothing to worry about but what is the nutritional value of fresh veg? I've gone from consuming too many calories to wondering if I'm consuming too few!

I buy my fresh fruit and veg in the market, that way I can buy as little or as much as I want. Market traders (especially the men ) are quite amenable to selling for singles, it's much fresher and a lot cheaper than the vacuum packed produce which you can't open and inspect in a supermarket. I see where you're coming from re cauliflower, I buy the smallest one I can and use half for veg on its own, the leaves for a green, and the other half for cauliflower cheese. Again the market is pretty good at bringing the price down for a small cauli as most people want a family-sized one. It doesn't hurt to ask nicely, and usually works.

Austin_Allegro

Trying_to_save wrote: »

Hi Everyone :hello:

I guess this idea for single money savers is probably already on a utilities thread somewhere, so sorry if its 'old hat' - but one way of saving is to have a water meter fitted. I was going to have one out in but when I bought my flat, there was already one fitted.

In my area, the Water Board will fit one for free and then you have about a year to see how you get on with it. If you decide to keep it, you can't then change your mind and if you buy a place with one fitted, you can't have it taken out.

My neighbour is a single mum of 1 DD - her water bill is about £54 per month whilst mine is £13.50.... I have a water butt in the garden for my plants and I always takes shaowers. I also have a dehumidifier and when that is full, I tip the water from there into my bird bath.

One of the best things ever if you live alone - probably not so good for families - but its one other good thing for us single..ies:j

Fiona

Dehumidifier water is distilled - so don't waste it on the birds! Use it in irons or clothes steamers.

ceridwen

...and Woolies (aka Woolworths) right now has a cute little clothes airer - just right for us "singlies". It looks about half-size. Just right for that O.S. style refusal to use a tumbledryer if we can help it.

ms_london

Another single MSE-er here!

I havent been on this site as much as I used to, as I am travelling at the moment (currently in NZ) - but just being back here reminds me how much I used to love it.

I doubt there are many other traveller MSE-ers out there, but who cares! My MSE habits have got me to where I am today - so ner ner ner ner to them

Oh, on the subject of plastic containers - I used to buy the ones that you usually get your takeaways in - $1 shops usually sell them, and Wilkinsons - places like that. Pretty cheap, freezeable, microwaveable etc etc.

Its great reading the replies - I really have missed this site!

At the moment I am flatsharing, and I will probably have to for a while when I return home - however, my ultimate plan is to buy my own house - 2 bedroom so I have the option of renting out 1 room - but I cant wait to live on my own! Really looking forward to it! No doubt, THAT will be the point I end up meeting 'the one' - hehe!!

I know living on your own is more of a struggle, but I am not one to rely on others, and I know I willl manage! I cant wait!

Another fan of batch cooking - I dont see the point in making a 1 portion meal personally. I used to use 1 pack of mince, get a lasagne out of it (6 portions), bolognese (3) portions and chilli (2 portions) - all put in the freezer - perfect! Yum, its making me hungry (lunchtime here!).

I cant even remember what I used to spend in London on food - but I am a fan of Nettos, Lidl & Aldi (used to have a saturday job at Nettos when I was at school actually - source of embarrassment, as you could , imagine, and wouldnt tell anyone where I worked!), but it does have a fondness in my heart! I know which food to avoid, but the best deal are brand foods!

I hope you are all enjoying your weekends!

xx