It feels so satisfying, saving all that money.
Yeah, us too.
Food waste is no small problem.
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In the U.S, an estimated30% to 40% of food is thrown away.
Heres how to reduce food waste to make the most of your grocery spending andsave money.
You brew coffee at home, you dont walk into Target and you refuse to order avocado toast.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
Consumers waste more food, collectively, than restaurants or grocery stores, Gunders said.
And the average household of four spends about $1,800 on food they never eat.
Growing food and getting it to our tables is a huge investment in resources, Gunders said.
Heres how to stop throwing away food, and with it, a whole lot of money.
Consider some of these tips for how to reduce food waste at home.
Make a Grocery List and Stick to It
Overbuying leads to food waste.
Gunders suggests thinking double duty.
If you need fresh cilantro for a meal, plan a second meal that will use it too.
Then you wont end up with half the sprigs in your package wilted and headed for the trash.
A free site calledRakutenwill even pay you to skip going to the store and shop online instead.
Buy Frozen Instead of Fresh
The bright, beautiful colors of fresh fruits and veggies tempt me every week.
Then I remember how quickly fresh produce can spoil.
Now, Ive turned to stocking my freezer with produce.
I call this the Too Many Avocados Left Behind Act.
I dont freeze avocados, but I do buy most fruits and veggies frozen now.
I can thaw them in a flash and count on having an assortment of ingredients on a whim.
Planned meals get abandoned as you nosh on a spontaneous (and unbudgeted) meal out.
Rethink Expiration Dates
Sell-by, use-by and expiration dates all mean different things.
Many people throw out perfectly good food because of date stamps.
Use Your Freezer
you might extend the life of your meats, bread and vegetables byfreezing them.
Itll all be there when youre ready, so it will save money and food waste.
Dont you feel better?
Store Items Where you’re able to See Them
Some produce slips into the crisper abyss.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Keep items where you’re able to see them.
Youre more likely to use items that you’re free to physically see.
Additionally, learn how to store each throw in of produce.
Some ripen faster and can speed up others nearby.
Consider investing in special airtight containers that keep produce firm and fresh longer.
Having a tidy fridge helps you see exactly what you have and inspires you to use it.
Can You Survive 10 Days of Budgeting?
If it’s crucial that you wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge.
Try Composting
Skip the landfill, and start composting.
Everything from your coffee grounds to celery ends can find their way into your bin.
In turn, you’re able to eventually use it toward your next home gardening adventure.
Learn to Preserve or Can Foods
Pickle?
Theyre all options gaining popularity.
But these practices have been around for centuries and have helped folks survive harsh winters and economic downturns.
This can prolong their shelf life and reduce food waste and costs.
Explore the darkest recesses of your pantry before adding more supplies to the mix.
Mix It Up
Leftovers youre tired of eating can be repurposed into new recipes.
Other food scraps can be used in a myriad of ways.
Theres a practical use for almost any piece of food you might throw away!
Ive put coffee grounds in my soil, and a friend of mine makes corn silk tea.
Leftover potato skins can be turned into delicious chips in a matter of minutes!
Host a Potluck
Im a picky eater, yet I love to cook.
So, Ive hosted potlucks to use said ingredients.
Youll help everyone else also clean out their cabinets.
Here are a few to consider:
15.
Channel Bob Ross
Ever wish you could make art with your food outside of Instagram posts?
Let the bright colors of your leftovers become the colors of your clothes or the paint on your canvas.
Even the brownest thumbs can turn green.
Try regrowing your food scraps, and see what happens.
Put seeds in the backyard, or try sprouting them over a cup of water.
Is Your Paycheck Not Going As Far As It Used To?
We get it.Everythingis more expensive than it used to be, but your paycheck hasnt kept up.
When money is tight,these resourceswill help nearly everyone.
Its not going to happen overnight.
Stephanie Bolling is a former staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
Freelancer Michele Becker contributed to this post.
