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Insights
Practical tips, user stories, and financial strategies that help you track expenses, organize your finances, and make better spending decisions.
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Insights
Practical tips, user stories, and financial strategies that help you track expenses, organize your finances, and make better spending decisions.
Meal planning for one person is both an opportunity and a challenge. Without the structure of feeding a family or partner, it is easy to fall into habits that increase both food waste and grocery spending: spontaneous take-away orders, oversized grocery trips, or buying ingredients that spoil before being used. But with the right strategy, cooking for one can become efficient, cost-effective, and surprisingly enjoyable.
The key lies in planning small, not just planning ahead. A household of one rarely needs bulk purchases unless items are freezable or have a long shelf life. For fresh produce, buying two- or three-day quantities reduces waste dramatically. Many supermarkets now offer āmicro-portionsāāsingle chicken breasts, mini vegetable packs, or half loaves of breadāideal for solo living.
A second powerful tactic is batch cooking with intentional variety. Preparing a baseāsuch as roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or a pot of riceāand turning it into different meals (salad today, stir-fry tomorrow, wraps the next day) keeps the week interesting without repeating the same dish. Freezing single portions also prevents the fatigue of eating leftovers for four days in a row.
Shopping hacks make a big difference in the monthly budget. First, avoid shopping when hungry; impulse purchases can inflate a basket by 20ā30%. Second, build a rotating list of 10 go-to meals that are quick, healthy, and inexpensive. Repeating these ensures predictability without boredom. Third, embrace store brandsāmost are nutritionally identical to premium products but cost significantly less. Finally, apps that track receipts and compare local prices help solo shoppers stay within budget without spending extra time in the store.
Singles also benefit from adopting a āuse-it-upā week every month, focusing on finishing what is already in the fridge and pantry. This simple habit can reduce food waste by up to 40%, which translates directly into savings. Combined with planning, portion control, and clever freezing, cooking for one becomes a financial advantage rather than a burden.
Planning meals has become easier with the rise of dedicated apps, and data shows this trend is gaining momentum worldwide. Diet and nutrition apps, including meal planning tools, are used by 30% of smartphone users globally.
The global meal planning app market was valued at $1.38 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $4.46 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 16.2%. User penetration for nutrition apps is expected to rise from 4.22% in 2023 to 4.96% by 2027. North America leads the market, forecasted to grow from $1.12 billion in 2024 to $2.88 billion by 2033, while Europe and Asia-Pacific are expanding rapidly due to health awareness and smartphone adoption.
Popular apps like Mealime, Paprika, and Forks Over Knives offer features such as recipe management, grocery lists, and personalized plans.
Growth is driven by health consciousness, busy lifestyles, AI personalization, and integration with grocery delivery services.
The global meal planning app market is projected to grow from $2.45 billion in 2025 to $6.77 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of ~10.5%. Other forecasts estimate growth from $1.38 billion in 2024 to $4.46 billion by 2033, driven by health awareness and digital adoption.
Key growth drivers include:
Meal planning apps appeal to several key groups. Health-conscious individuals use them to manage diets or chronic conditions. Busy professionals rely on these tools for quick, organized meal solutions. Families benefit from structured plans and grocery management. Fitness enthusiasts use them to track calories and macros. People with dietary restrictionsāsuch as vegan, keto, gluten-free, or allergy-specific needsāfind tailored options. Finally, tech-savvy users appreciate the convenience of digital tools for lifestyle management.
Sources:
Long-term forecasting helps families prepare for the bigger predictable milestones: braces, school transitions, summer camps, or technology upgrades.
Singles need larger emergency funds due to higher vulnerability, and globally, South Korea leads savings (~35%), while Sweden tops Europe (~25%).
How much does a solo person spend on subscriptions?