As you all now, I’m big on frugality and saving food. First of all, food waste is horrible, because there are people out there in the world that are starving. Secondly, when you have to throw out food, it’s like you’re throwing out money. Once again, I’m going to bring you another topic that will help solve both problems. I am going to give you some tips that will help you to stop spending so much money on food and these tips will also help you cut down on the amount of food that you waste. That being said, let’s get started.

#1. Make a List of Meals

It’s important that you make a list of meals you plan to make. Next, you need to go through your pantry and refrigerator to see what ingredients you could incorporate into your meals and which ones you don’t have. Next, make a list of the items you need from the grocery store.

#2. Stop Buying So Much Food in General

If you’re like most Americans, you probably go on a shopping trip weekly or maybe even bi-weekly. In other words, you’re buying enough food to last you the whole week or maybe even two weeks in advance. Buy things that you actually need to prepare your meals, rather than buying things on a whim. Try to stick to the items you’ve marked down on your menu / grocery list.

#3. Clean Your Refrigerator

It’s important that you clean your refrigerator and make sure that it’s not all cluttered up. Having a cluttered fridge will make you forget about things you have in your fridge and you may not consume these items before their expiration date.

#4. Rearrange Your Refrigerator after Grocery Shopping

It’s important that you put all of your new items you purchased in the back of the fridge and bring the older items to the front. That way, you’ll be more likely to use up the older items before they expire.

#5. Make Banana Nut Bread

I buy bananas every time I go out to the store, but bananas go bad fairly quickly if you’re not careful. When bananas get bad, I have an amazing banana nut bread recipe that I employ. That way, I don’t have to throw the bananas out.

#6. Use Your Old Bread for French Toast

Bread is another thing that goes stale fairly quick. When this begins to happen, I get out the French toast recipe and that’s what my family has for breakfast.

#7. Don’t Follow Expiration Dates

Okay, so you can’t ignore expiration dates completely, but you shouldn’t put all of your trust in them. Expiration dates are typically very generous, so if something is “expired” it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s bad.

#8. Use Smaller Plates

Smaller plates will encourage you to dish out smaller portions of food. If someone needs to, they can get up and refill their plate. With bigger plates, you run the risk of serving more than you and/or your family members will eat.