Single Money Saver living on my own

determinedtodothis

brilliant thanks guys! i didn't know you could freeze cheese!

Bronnie

I buy a bag of baby spinach leaves instead of lettuce for salad, lasts well in the fridge. It's quite a big bag , so check for the freshest date before you buy. I shred the leaves and use it as the leaves for salad (I eat a salad with my meals every day anyway) and have it cooked too. Sometimes shove a handful to wilt into my bowl of soup. It's more nutritious than lettuce, but I finish the bag off every week as I like it anyway.

I like the odd Indian takeaway, but I always divide this into 2 or sometimes 3 portions when I get it home and freeze them. Partly this is because it's less fattening than stuffing my face, it's also MS. Add your own accompaniements from home, rather than buy in too large a quantity. I try to keep my accompaniements low cal, but mini naans can be kept in the freezer and warmed in the toaster from frozen, jar of mango chutney in the fridge, raita is quick and easy to make with a couple of spoons of natural yogurt and onion or bit of cuc

Agree with former poster, sometimes you do have to just eat things up when you're on your own, although the freezer is invaluable.

crafty*kate

Ooooh I like this thread! I didn't know you could freeze cheese either. Mind you, there's lots of things I didn't know you could freeze.

I always cook extra - either enough to freeze in those takeaway-style plastic pots, or for meals tomorrow/next day. I buy bulk packets of meat, mince etc when they are on offer, and freeze them in individual portions. I seem to do a lot of washing but I guess that's something I could cut down on...otherwise I use the quick cycles just to freshen things up.

I have recently moved back into my own home after staying with my parents while I had treatment for cancer. I had to clear out my cupboards and start again....I am going to try very hard just to buy things as I use them, it will be interesting to see what I actually *need* to buy.

LolaLemon

ok, it has taken me all day to read all of this!
I dont have much to add, other than i am a single mum of 1 boy, so im a bit inbetween on where i go on these forums... do i look at the family stuff or the single stuff? (obviously i look at everything lol) Im an ok cook, i just dont seem to have the time! im at uni most days till 5/6 at night, my sons bed time is 7.30 so i have to make a dinner as quick as possible so he can eat it and let it digest before bed time.
Im not a morning person, just cant get myself out of bed at the best of times never mind to get up and start prepairing dinner.
We also have really bad cows dairy allergy so cant have 'quick' things like pizza, macaroni or even plain old cheese sandwiches/toasties!
We go through a LOT of fruit and veg, but we also havea lot of wastage from food too
I dont buy buscuits, crisps and sweets often, maybe once every 3 months or less.
I generally make my own crisps using root veg (parsnip, potato, sweet potato, carrots etc) i slice them to the thickness of a £1 coin put in a plastic sandwich bag, add flavour (salt and peper/ paprika/ chilli flakes/rosemary and thyme/etc) add 1/2 - 1 tablespoon of oil, close bag over and give a good shake to get all the veg coated, spread out on an oven tray and cook for 10-20mins at 190^, depending on the veg used and the crunchyness ur wanting...
Buscuits i do come from an usborn childrens cook book.
100g butter, 100g flour, 50 sugar (if u want flavouring add now, if its powder i use 1 tablespoon full i.e cinnamon powder, if its liquid a few drops to a teaspoon i.e. vanilla essence, and if its 'bits' i put in a handfull or two i.e. chopped chocolate) mix all together by hand, roll into small balls, flatten a little and cook for 12-15 mins at 180^ should get between 12 - 24 depending on how big/fat u make them

Hope taht helps to use up some of your veg
Ive chopped carrot and parsnip up into small cubes with paprika and sat watching a film with them ina bowl to munch on... fantastic

grumpyoldwoman41

Hi all,
I was pointed to this board by some kind people on another board where I posted about being terrified of having my income drop to JSA alowance level of £65 per week only.

Before I manage to find another job, I need to learn how to live on that money and frankly I havent got a clue

I had a look at quite a few threads here but they all refer to family set ups, buying in bulk (cheaper of course) etc etc.

I live with my daughter but we have separate budgets food/cleanign stuff etc etc so need to plan for myself only.

Any single poeple on here that could offer some advice?

Or was there a thread on here like that already?

I mean like a smaple shopping list for a week, sample menu for ONE person for a week etc?

Thanks a lot for any pointers...

I_luv_cats

Staples: Bread/Pasta/Rice/Noodles/Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes/Oats

Fillers: Beans/Lean Mince/Cheese/Eggs/Chicken/Tuna

Cupboard: Tin Tomatoes/Flour/Yeast

Fridge: Spread/Milk

Fresh: Garlic/Seasonal Veg/Onions

Snacks: Basic Apples/Pears/Citrus Fruits/Bananas

Make: Bolognese, Jacket Potatoes, Stir Fries, Own Pizza, Omlettes, Lasagne, Shepherds Pie, Flans, Pies,

Flapjacks/Crumbles/Fruit pies, Shortbread


Look for value brands, offers, reduced to clear.

Vaila

i usualy only buy fruit and veg thats in season, and usually go for the value brand

simple things like buying loose or frozen veg keeps the cost down too

my list usually contains

preserves-value salt,pepper,vinegar,value tinned tomatoes,kidney beans,dried lentils,value porridge oats

frozen-vegetables ie mixed veg,broccoli,peas

fresh-seasonal fruit,seasonal veg,soya marg,tofu,supermarket brand soya yoghurts

i usuallu have a store cupboard of things like quinoa and cous cous, but i tend to make a lot of stir frys,and pulse based sauces and use things like oats,legumes and carrots to bulk meals out

i guess this wont be of much value though seeing as im vegan and im assuming that you eat meat

cheap mealk ideas could be porridge,jacket potatoes with a filling, batch cooking things like lasagne,pasta sauces, soups etc

Caroline73_2

Assuming you have a freezer batch cooking an easy way to make price per meal cheaper although you obviously have to lay out more to start with.

VfM4meplse

arran_m wrote: »

i guess this wont be of much value though seeing as im vegan and im assuming that you eat meat

Nothing wrong with that. If only necessity would drive more people in this direction, the environmental benefits would be fantastic.

VfM4meplse

I_luv_cats wrote: »

Snacks: Basic Apples/Pears/Citrus Fruits/Bananas

Alwaays from a fruit and veg stall, never a supermarket if you really want to save money.