Welcome to Home Economics for Men, the series that teaches you – the single man of the 21^st century – the ins-and-outs of culinary self-sufficiency.

If convenience food is burning a hole in your pocket and giving you that Homer Simpson physique you never dreamed of, then this is the series for you.

In lesson one, we’re introducing the fundamental principle in home economics mastery: the meal plan.

Without one of these bad boys, you’re up home economics creek without a paddle. So sit up, take note and no talking at the back. This is where the important stuff begins.

Scheduling your shopping

How often do you visit the grocery store? Once a month? Twice a week? Every day?

Assuming you’re a single man, I’ll hazard that the answer is “every day.” You probably hit the convenience store or supermarket on your way home from the office after a full day’s work. And, you probably do so knowing that – save for a jar of out of date pickles and three sachets of left over Szechuan sauce from last week’s Chinese takeout – your refrigerator is completely empty.