memes

Bulk make your food. I find that making cooking an "event" you do every week or so is much more manageable than trying to cook your own food each night.

I'm a big fan of soups, stews and chili. I have a large stock pot and I'll basically make one of those to where it's almost full. It can take a long time to cook that much food, but it makes tons of servings. Then I'll freeze 1/2 to 2/3 of it for future meals. I actually find these types of dishes are even better once you thaw them out. Nutrition wise it's basically a ton of veggies/beans and some meat, so fairly cheap per meal made and super nutritious.

Bodybuilder style "meal prep" is also awesome if you don't mind having the same meals multiple times a week. I like bulk making brown rice in a rice cooker along with some kind meat or fish and finally then adding in a microwave steam pack of veggies. If you have an Aldi available to you their California blend is awesome and fairly affordable for the convenience of just popping it in the microwave. Shout out to Sam's Club and Costco who both have bulk packs of frozen meat and veggies to help on cost.

It can get more complicated if you live with others who have different tastes and preferences from yourself. Another hurdle is having the ability to freeze all the excess foods. But when I was single living in my own apartment I don't think I ever ate more simply and affordably than that. Sprinkle in the occasional "treat" of some kind of takeout and you're living the good life!

E: This is obviously from a US perspective, but I'm sure my non-us counterparts can substitute in their equivalents where needed.