Groceries are sold for families, not individuals — bags of produce rot, bread goes stale, and you end up throwing money in the bin. Shopping for one is a skill, and it saves a surprising amount.

Plan before you go

  • Decide on 3–4 meals for the week and buy for those, not for a vague “full fridge”.
  • Build meals around shared ingredients so nothing's bought for a single use.
  • Never shop hungry — it's the fastest way to a trolley full of impulse buys.

Buy for how one person actually eats

  • Use the freezer as your ally: buy a loaf, freeze half; portion meat and freeze in singles.
  • Choose loose produce so you buy three apples, not a bag of twelve.
  • Lean on long-life staples: eggs, rice, pasta, tinned beans, frozen veg.
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Cook once, eat twice

Make a double portion and refrigerate or freeze half. Home-made “ready meals” beat takeaways on cost and health.

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