Dragonlady
Designing Woman
As a single, retired person who lives alone on a fixed income, I have developed an effective and low cost way of eating well and staying healthy. But I'm curious what others here who live alone are doing.
When I get my pension cheque, I do a big household shopping, and fill my pantry with everything I'll need for the coming month, including tooth paste, shampoo, laundry detergent and softener and food. I use coupons and sales flyers to find the best deals and spend a couple of days making the rounds of the local stores. I also have a menu for the month, so that there's little waste or unnecessary purchases.
Next comes "cooking week". Every day for a week, I make a new dish. I like "one pot meals", like stew, lasagna, or shepherds pie, which make 6 to 8 portions. I freeze the leftovers in one or two portion size containers. By the end of cooking week, I have enough entrees to last until the end of the month. I also make pancakes and giant breakfast muffins and freeze the leftovers.
For the rest of the month, I simply thaw and nuke. The only things I have to buy are fresh milk, bananas or berries for desserts, and salad greens.
I've also done some canning this summer and have enough homemade jam to last until next summer, as well as canned tomatoes to last until at least March.
I buy eat mostly organic fresh foods, but I make everything, including salad dressings, soups. And occasionally, bread. Total grocery costs, including cat food, laundry stuff and personal care items is around $7 a day even buying organic.
When I get my pension cheque, I do a big household shopping, and fill my pantry with everything I'll need for the coming month, including tooth paste, shampoo, laundry detergent and softener and food. I use coupons and sales flyers to find the best deals and spend a couple of days making the rounds of the local stores. I also have a menu for the month, so that there's little waste or unnecessary purchases.
Next comes "cooking week". Every day for a week, I make a new dish. I like "one pot meals", like stew, lasagna, or shepherds pie, which make 6 to 8 portions. I freeze the leftovers in one or two portion size containers. By the end of cooking week, I have enough entrees to last until the end of the month. I also make pancakes and giant breakfast muffins and freeze the leftovers.
For the rest of the month, I simply thaw and nuke. The only things I have to buy are fresh milk, bananas or berries for desserts, and salad greens.
I've also done some canning this summer and have enough homemade jam to last until next summer, as well as canned tomatoes to last until at least March.
I buy eat mostly organic fresh foods, but I make everything, including salad dressings, soups. And occasionally, bread. Total grocery costs, including cat food, laundry stuff and personal care items is around $7 a day even buying organic.