I just read the thread about feeding a family of five or more frugally. So does anyone have any super saving ideas for singles? I see a lot of ideas for kids and families. What about those who are eating alone? How much are you spending food and rent??

I'm single and I find it so much easier to spend next to nothing on food. My rent is high ($725), but I had to move out of my apartment for safety. I think it's a good trade off. But, if you like to cook, you can spend next to nothing. I cook a lot of pastas or rice & beans. I also grow sprout in my window sill to cut down on the cost of fresh produce til my container garden starts producing. I also just bought a smaller fridge. My duplex came with this HUGE fridge that would take me forever to fill! So, I bought a small bar-type fridge. I've figured that it costs less than $.20 a day where the big fridge was over $1/day.

See, I never thought of getting a smaller fridge. I had thought about getting a small freezer because I can use it to store sales, but didn't even think about downsizing the fridge. If I fill it up stuff just goes bad in there, and that is NOT frugal. I just accepted the fridge that came with the apartment.
That is why I started this thread. I'm sure there is stuff out there I haven't thought of because, well. I can be a bit dense sometimes...

Good Thread!!!
I pay $500 in rent and $35 for water (this is nonegiotable).
I spend about $75 per month in food and usually less than $50. I have kept my apt refrigerator and never thought about buying and utilizing a smaller one. I regularly fill up my freezer. I freeze EVERYTHING!! I make large quantities of food and then freeze it into serving size containers like chili etc. I then microwave the containers at night, this offers me a variety every day. I have found that many of the tips related to families apply to me.

I pay $280 a month, electric and (well) water included. As far as I'm concerned, it's a steal considering that it's tucked away on 19 acres and mostly surrounded by woods. It's on the second floor of a horse barn/indoor riding arena, and is well-constructed and clean.

I've found that that I buy refrigerated items less and less. I wish my freezer were the larger part, as I stock meats and veggies in there. Refrigerated items tend to go bad while you're not paying attention, so I don't buy too much at a time. Keeps me from wasting food.

I agree, as a single I would find a larger freezer compartment more useful, maybe so there were equal in size instead of the 1/3 to 2/3 ratio it seems to be.

I cook mostly from scratch, but tend to eat a lot of the same meals in a row. Like if I make spaghetti sauce it'll last me for 3 or 4 meals. Since I don't mind eating repetitively for a few days I'll eat the same thing for several days, but I know if I wanted more variety I could just freeze and rotate the meals.

I'm not sure what I spend monthly on food...but I do know (hopefully) that it's less and less as I learn more tricks and tips. Right now I freeze bags of milk, then thaw as needed and mix with powdered milk. Less cost, plus that way I can shop less often, trying to get it down to once or twice a month.

I guess I should start tracking my costs better, but while I love being frugal I really do dislike tracking my grocery spending. Not sure why that is....

I do try to calculate cost a rough per meal when I cook though, I find that motivating, like when I can make a meal for like 75 cents or something.

Hmm... I wonder if there would be a market for fridge/freezer combos that were equal in size. Maybe someone out there could make some money on that idea....

i do intentional leftovers, which get packed immediately for next day's work lunch. i also freeze portions in the freezer. i have a list of quick easy meals on the front of the freezer in case i draw a "blank" for what to cook or get stuck in a rut.

i plan meals, which has helped. i also eat very little meat.

i pay 700 a month to maintain, insure, and pay taxes on a mortgage free home.