The Great "Single MoneySaving" Hunt

MSE_Martin

Being single has its perks: no Valentine’s pressies to buy, free reign over the TV zapper, no one to sneakily finish off the biscuits without telling you. Yet life can also be more costly for single MoneySavers.

So I thought I’d collect your top tips for saving cash while solo. How can you cook cheaply for one, avoid holiday single supplements and get by when you can't split the bills?

Please click reply to add your ideas.

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MrsTinks

Bulk cooking and freezing in one portion size is a must! If you only have a couple of tubs use plastic bags once the food is frozen and pop them into a bag to store so you still have neat shapes
Buying small amounts of fresh veg etc can be expensive so buy larger amounts that are cheaper like carrot, onion and sweet potato - chop up and freeze loose so you can grab a handful to add to dishes. Much cheaper!

Fern_Merkin

Cooking for one can be a bind. My top money and timesaving idea is cook a lot of something you like and freeze. The meals can last for a month in the freezer and once it's done, it's done for a bit Try to have at least two choices in there at once then it doesn't get too repetitive.

My stalwart recipes at this time of year are Potato Hash and Curry and rice where the rice is cooked in with the curry for last 20 mins. All in one pot then. I have to say I generally only use these as lunches at work but they are much tastier, nutritious and CHEAPER than what's on sale at the butty van.

Fern_Merkin

tine wrote: »

Bulk cooking and freezing in one portion size is a must! If you only have a couple of tubs use plastic bags once the food is frozen and pop them into a bag to store so you still have neat shapes
Buying small amounts of fresh veg etc can be expensive so buy larger amounts that are cheaper like carrot, onion and sweet potato - chop up and freeze loose so you can grab a handful to add to dishes. Much cheaper!

Great minds! :rotfl:

horsechestnut

Thank goodness for margarine tubs!
Large pressure cooker full of freezable food e.g. Bolognaise sauce, Chilli con carne, Curry, Soup.
300ml in a 500ml tub and sap in the microwave whilst cooking the pasta or rice.
Rice can be frozen in sandwich bags.

I don't like frozen veg, so I will prepare them freshly each time. Potatoes in pan, steamer with veg on top and is I am cooking a piece of fish that goes covered on a plate on the very top with a lid on. One ring on the cooker.

Fern_Merkin

If you are paid monthly, do a monthly shop. Include in this all the things you might need for a month. Tinned products, toilet roll, cleaning fluids etc, any pet foods, personal care, and start the list about a week before you are to shop. Keep jotting down anything you notice running out.

A good comprehensive list will stop you having to pop out to the shop for cat food and spending £10! It's a great opportunity to take advantage of multibuys and special offers ON THE THINGS YOU ACTUALLY NEED

I have to get a taxi when I do this but it is worth the expense as I generally save much more over the month by not being tempted in the shops.

misskool

Do everything that families and couples do. to save on electricity and gas, turn down the heating to just about bearable, turn off all the lights except the room you're in or if feeling really cheap, use a candle.

Bulk buy things for washing and cleaning in bulk, use it slower because there's only one of you. Share offers in supermarket with another single friend. If holidays have irritating single supplements, go on a free and easy one, book a hostel where you can mix and mingle with people. Or find a friend who will go with you.

Don't forget your council tax rebate!

squeaky

A few other threads that may be of interest...

Single moneysaver living on my own!

Saving Money On Food For a SINGLE person

What can a single person use on this board? (Old Style)

Help a Single Saver




HTH

Paula4612

Buy meals for two which are not proportinately more expensive than a meal for one and eat for two nights!!!

mum2one

if you want a hol look through a wack of brocheres, if your lucky some hotels offer no single rm supplement, or very cheap.

I managed to pick up 2 weeks in Gambia -no single rm supplement - all yr round.

The thingis you need to book early to get the best discounts x

cwp500

Have a look at Costco and other large retailers. You can buy in bulk in one hit and if you have the space can make savings. Example, I bought 60 toilet rolls for a tenner and they are still on the go 12 months later.