If you live alone

[Jan89]

How much are you spending on the food shop?

Bonus points for meal/shopping ideas. Everything comes portioned for two, and I hate eating the same thing all week!

I often buy stuff to make 4 portions, eat one and freeze the other 3 separately.

Around £100 a week.

When I lived alone I used to have a dinner sized/type meal at lunchtime at work (canteen was great) and just have soup or something in the evenings. Saved a fortune in the long run.

£100-140 a week. Groceries here are fucking ridiculous money....

On average about £50 to £60 pw. I get a weekly Tesco delivery. Since January I haven't really been able to get out, so no top ups. Occasionally I skip a delivery & sometimes I have to order a few bits for restore cupboard to get to the £50 minimum. Other times it's £70-£80.

I have a few health issues, so I eat very low carb & as a vegetarian buy some more expensive things to get in protein that are low-carb.

But obviously, don't spend a lot on treat food.

Before I had these health issues, I could eat a lot more cheaply because my diet was a lot more flexible.

Possibly 50 quid? Always cook for four and freeze 2-3 portions, and then later, about once a month, you hit the sweet spot with no shopping necessary and all food already made…

£60pw on average not including toiletries or cleaning products or pet food

This is reassuring, I think last time I lived alone I was only spending about £20/25, so I’ve been wondering where on earth I’m going wrong or if I’ve just remembered wrong!

Should have said, no microwave so I don’t tend to freeze things.

I also cook for a small family and freeze the rest. In 2025 so far, I'm spending £190 a month on food & drink, excluding alcohol and household items. I buy myself a fair number of treats and one 'luxury' meal - a good steak or something - once a fortnight.

About 40 quid a week for me.

No disrespect but I find it confusing when people reply that OP is not asking to hear from. So this thread is for replies from single people so we can gauge cost and possible ideas singles do for food prep. Doesn’t really help OP you telling her about costs for a family.

I think you have misunderstood. I think this poster was saying she cooked the amount you would for a small family and then freezes the "extra" portions.

I do the same a batch cook then freeze. But with no microwave this isn't so much use for the OP although she could reheat the frozen portions stove top?

Yes, that's it, @Naepalz, thanks.

@Jan89, you could take your self-created ready meals out of the freezer in the morning, then heat them in the oven or a pan (depending on the meal). Steaming gives the same effect as microwaving, but you have to put the food in a very well-sealed container.

Ah okay I thought she meant she literally cooked for an actual family! Apologies @GarlicSmile in that case your budget is pretty fantastic!

Around £100 per week, but I am very greedy and throw a lot away.

I'd say on average about £40 a week... I don't eat meat, I batch cook and freeze whenever possible, and I never waste food. I buy lots of cheese, halloumi, nuts, fruit/veg etc but rarely buy plant based meat replacements (as they are gross). I go to different shops, depending on what I need, as I don't buy same things every week

Thank you, @MoominMai.

OK, some very basic tips:

1. Use frozen veg if you find fresh ones going off before they're finished. You can get a fantastic variety of frozen veg now, so it's easier to ring the changes while using small amounts (and no peeling!!)
2. Buy larger packs of fresh meat & fish. Split the pack into plastic bags and freeze. Check out the freezer aisle for larger packs, too.
3. Batch cook 'sloppy' foods like pasta sauce and stews. Freeze in portions, as these are very easy to reheat without a microwave.
4. I'd still recommend cooking a whole chicken, joint, etc and slicing it up to be frozen. You'd need to be organised enough to defrost them before using.
5. Some lazy options make more sense when cooking for one - my favourite's microwave rice: silly price for a family, but sensible for just me! I use tins, as well, which again become worthwhile when you're only using one at a time. Bagged salads are another win.

I had to do without a freezer for a couple of months, and the impact on food costs was excruciating. That's when you feel militant about the 'single tax'! Making good use of a freezer practically eliminates waste.

I'd say about 60 quid but it varies. I shop little and often but meal-planning is more efficient albeit boring and I mean to get back to it. I also don't buy lunch at work any more, ever, just bring it in (New year resolution), which I factor into the shopping. I don't like waste so I might sometimes make a chilli or stir fry or soup to use up spare bits of veg. I only have a small freezer box but I would use that for half of two-packs of meat if I didn't want it in the next few days. Then you can rotate what's there, but I think planning is key.

Where are you shopping to spend that? Harrods?

Minimum of 90 pound. If you are considering batch cooking I would invest in a microwave.

It probably averages out at about £40 pw

You don’t need a microwave to reheat most things, just use a saucepan on the job instead for many dishes.

Frozen chicken does work out cheaper and most is boneless- so easier to use after defrosted. Same with fish.

biting fresh and then freezing just means it’s not as fresh as the ready frozen, which is frozen much quicker

I live alone and spend about £40 (probably £50 once I include 'treats' I pick up on the way home sometimes).

I will buy big packs of things and cook 4-6 portions of everything I make and freeze anything leftover. And I bulk up my meat dishes with lentils / chickpeas where easy.

I will often make things like spag bol / stews / curries / stir fried meats and then I will cook the sides (pasta, rice, noodles) fresh.

I also like adding a freshly fried egg, or some freshly cooked veg if I think something needs 'freshening up'.

I also don't mind eating 'breakfast' for lunch or dinner - so if I don't feel like I cooking I will have a bowl of oats and a banana / eggs on toast with beans. Super easy and quick to make.

If I have veg that's going off, I will often chuck it all together and make a veg + potato soup or I use it to make a pasta sauce which I then freeze. I always try my best not to throw anything away.

I don't have a microwave, but loads of stuff is easy to reheat quickly on the stove as long as you remember to defrost it / I just eat it cold.

About £40 here, I eat at my partner’s a couple of times a week which helps but other weeks he’ll eat here - it all balances out. We both struggle with supermarkets not selling small enough portions and don’t always have time to batch cook - I eat far too much toast because sometimes it’s too much effort to prepare and cook anything interesting just for me.