Always make a grocery list before shopping. Check out the weekly specials at your local grocery stores. Shop at the store with the best prices on the majority of items you have on your list. If you can arrange a time to go shopping with a friend who also lives alone the two of you can help each other out. You can save gas by traveling together to the store.
Once at the store you can separate and shop on your own. As you shop take notice of store specials and lower prices on family pack items. Discuss these items with your friend to see if they want to share a family pack with you.
If you and your friend share the cost of a family pack of meat both of you will save money. Just divide the pack once you get home, possibly freeze part of it. Multi packs of paper products can also be divided when the price is lower than buying two small packages.
When you prepare a meal using a standard family size recipe divide it into portions and freeze it. They make quick easy meals for days when you just don’t want to cook. Another way to make cooking more enjoyable is to arrange a “switch a meal” night with a friend. Designate a specific night when you will cook a meal for your friend and they will prepare a meal for you.
One of you will deliver the meal to the other in exchange for the meal they prepared for you. This is a good opportunity to experience new foods prepared by your friend and a good opportunity to try new recipes that you most likely would not prepare just for yourself.
Having a friend over for dinner and having them return the invitation also relieves the boredom of dining alone. When going out for a meal, try to take advantage of lunch specials. If dining alone you can take part of the meal home to enjoy as dinner or for lunch the next day. Dividing a lunch or dinner plate with a friend is permissible in many restaurants. This helps cut the cost for both of you.
Following these tips will help you save money. It can encourage the growth of friendships and relieve some of the loneliness that often comes when living alone.
