Home meal replacement ("HMR") is a single person's mantra. HMR is everywhere -- in restaurants both mainstream and upscale, in supermarkets, and at eating establishments that specifically market themselves as HMR providers -- with a few tables and chairs thrown in for good measure, of course. Appetizers, entrees, salads, side dishes, breads, desserts (and wines and spirits) are packed up and ready to go and usually just require a quick reheating before you serve them. While it's a handy alternative, and many of these establishments are well-stocked with nearly anything your stomach desires, consumers pay for convenience, and sometimes they pay dearly.

According to Census Bureau data, average single person earns $28,000 per year, while average married couple earns nearly $49,000. The bureau has also found that single people save less than marrieds; average single saves $1,300 per year, while married couples manage to stash an average of $3,521. So it behooves a single person to think about putting that chef's hat on every once and a while. After initial expense of buying a few ingredient staples, it's a good idea to put aside your ideas about dividing a recipe down to one or two servings, and instead following it to letter. Spending a half-hour in kitchen on a dish that will last you several nights is a time-saving strategy. After all, if you're entering kitchen either every night or every other night to start cooking all over again, cooking may soon become a chore.

While there's too much variance among consumers to determine how much money average person could save by brown-bagging it to work, or merely cutting down on business/social lunches, it goes without saying that if you're used to going out every day, ordering drinks and/or appetizers and/or dessert, and paying a tip, you're going to see substantial savings if you start packing your lunches, at least occasionally. While it's a conservative estimate, let's say you spend $5 each weekday on food -- that could be your morning cup of coffee, or a relatively inexpensive lunch out with your co-workers. That's $100 per month, or $1,200 per year. Keeping a spending diary will quickly open your eyes. If you purchase insomniac's special -- a jumbo latte -- for $3 every morning before you face office, that's $60 a month.

If you've seen light and have committed to gracing your kitchen with your presence -- but you're stumped for ideas -- go online. It's a cook's paradise -- even a single cook's paradise. You'll find everything on Internet, from simple recipes to more adventurous ones. And for those of you who want to see what finished product will look like, you'll occasionally find pictures online, as well. Some suggested sites include

Pillsbury

CompuCook

Southern Living Online

Safeway.com

Cooking Light Online

all of which have comprehensive, easy-to-use recipe indexes for all skill levels.

If your idea of a kitchen is a room where you store your empty take-out boxes, consider these tips before you begin your next culinary adventure:

* Although you might be tempted to divide a recipe that feeds four or more, many cooks find that recipe doesn't turn out as successfully if they attempt to modify it. It's best to follow recipe exactly, then freeze your extra portions. You've just saved yourself time and effort, because you'll have at least two meals -- if not more -- ready to defrost, and you'll appreciate them on nights when you're tired and have no desire to cook. * Water boils more quickly when you cover your pot with a lid. * If you're planning to cook vegetables along with your pasta, toss them into water a few minutes before your pasta is ready. You'll have less to clean up later. * If you're cooking pasta (a single person's friend -- it's both versatile and inexpensive), cook enough for two nights. * Get a Crock Pot. You can toss in as little or as much as you like, and you can't possibly make a mistake.

So get familiar with that kitchen of yours. It may be a galley, but it's still home. What have you got to lose, other than money?

Joan Crawford was right. No more wire hangers...ever. The thin wire wears a groove into clothes and causes unsightly lumps in anything with a knitted fabric. Knits should be folded and stored. Wherever possible, get your hands on coat hangers or plastic hangers and use those for your hangables.

3. Decorate with some of your favorite wearables. Is your hat collection taking up too much room? Hang one on your bedpost, make an arrangement on wall. Accent with bunches of upside down dried flowers. No way to keep your ties neat? Create a rack on one wall or use as a headboard. Ties can add color and style. Add to your collection with funky ties from back of Dad's closet or Salvation Army.

4. Put everything on walls that you can, including lighting. Lamps take up a lot of room on small bedside tables, room you may need for other things. Brace small shelves on wall on either side of your bed and present your lamps like works of art. Invest in shelves that you can take down and take with you when you move. Create vignettes on shelves that can be useful and bring color and urban wit to your bedroom - books, memorabilia. Decorate with items that are distinctively you.

One of most charming decorative items from past are wall shelves, brackets and sconces. If you go into new furniture stores, you will see that wall storage is making a huge comeback and at very expensive prices.

5. If your bedroom isn't large enough to accommodate kind of furniture you really want, paint a tromp-l'oeil version of what you want. Tromp-l'oeil is art of painting or fabricating something so that it looks like real thi ng. One decorating style book suggests painting a canopy on wall and ceiling behind and above bed to give illusion of elegance. Rooms with small windows can be similarly fooled with paintings that feature windows and pictures of beautiful views.

6. Change way you study, pay bills, or work at home. Move "home office" out of bedroom and find a convenient place in your more spacious living room area.

Psychological studies show that when you study, read or do work that requires concentration, you will perform better away from areas associated with relaxation and sleep. The reverse is true also. You will sleep better away from demanding reminders of projects due.

7. Keep it simple. A few large pieces of furniture will have more utility than scaled down versions of more items. Use one nightstand instead of two, but make it a large one. Use a large dresser that can accommodate all your foldables. Out of season items can be stored in boxes and put in closet or under bed.