7 Simple Habits To Cut Food Waste and Save $150/Month

🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.

1. Plan Meals Around What You Already Have

You know that half-open bag of rice in your pantry? It’s still perfectly fine.

Use what you already own first. It’s like giving your wallet a break and your fridge a fresh start.

• Check your fridge and pantry before making your grocery list.
  
• Write meals based on ingredients you already have at home.
  
• Use leftovers creatively, like turning last night’s chicken into tacos or soup.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Before you shop, open your fridge and list five things you can cook with this week.

Make It Easy: Consider a magnetic meal planner board for your fridge so you can see your plan daily.

2. Organize Your Fridge To Avoid Forgetting Food

You know that mystery container in the back of your fridge? Yeah… It’s time to end that saga.

When your fridge is organised, you can actually see what’s about to go bad before it becomes a science project.

• Group similar foods together so you know what’s missing and what’s not.
  
• Keep expiring foods upfront, where they’re visible and easy to grab.
  
• Clean it out weekly so nothing gets buried under the chaos.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Pick one day a week to do a quick fridge sweep. Toss, clean, and rearrange.

Make It Easy: Consider clear stackable bins so nothing hides behind your leftovers.

3. Buy Only What You’ll Actually Eat

Ever buy kale just because it “felt responsible”? Then it dies slowly in your crisper drawer?

You’re not alone. But that habit costs you real cash every month.

• Make a list and stick to it (no more “just in case” snacks).
  
• Shop with smaller carts to physically limit what you can buy.
  
• Skip bulk deals unless you actually finish them before they expire.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Before shopping, plan only three dinners and repeat ingredients across them.

Make It Easy: Consider reusable produce bags so you only grab what you truly need.

4. Store Food In Clear Containers

If you can’t see it, you’ll forget it. Period.

Clear containers are like giving your fridge and pantry X-ray vision.

• Store leftovers in glass or transparent plastic, not old takeout boxes.
  
• Label each container with what’s inside and the date.
  
• Stack containers neatly so you can spot what’s ready to eat at a glance.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Transfer open packages into clear containers right after unpacking your groceries.

Make It Easy: Consider glass meal prep containers with airtight lids. They’ll keep food fresher longer.

5. Use Leftovers For Tomorrow’s Lunch

Leftovers aren’t boring. They’re your midweek sanity savers (and secret money makers).

You’re already cooking once, so why not get two meals out of it?

• Pack leftovers into lunch containers right after dinner.
  
• Add small twists like extra sauce or fresh toppings to keep it fun.
  
• Reheat smart. Some foods taste even better the next day (hello, pasta!).
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Each night, pack one portion of dinner into a lunch container before doing the dishes.

Make It Easy: Consider a leakproof lunchbox that keeps your reheated meal just as tasty.

6. Prep Food Right After Grocery Shopping

You know that feeling when you unload groceries and promise to “prep later”? Spoiler: later never comes.

Prepping right away saves time, sanity, and a fridge full of regrets.

• Wash and chop produce so it’s ready to cook or snack on.
  
• Portion meat and freeze extras to avoid spoilage midweek.
  
• Pre-pack lunch boxes to make weekday mornings smoother.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: After unpacking groceries, take 15 minutes to wash, chop, and store your most-used items for the week.

Make It Easy: Consider a set of airtight glass prep bowls to keep prepped veggies fresh longer.

7. Make A “Use First” Shelf In The Fridge

Think of this shelf as your fridge’s VIP section. Only for food about to expire.

You’ll never forget that lonely yogurt cup again.

• Label a single shelf or bin “Eat Me First” and stick close-to-expiring items there.
  
• Check it daily before grabbing something new to cook.
  
• Teach your family to look there before opening anything else.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Dedicate one fridge shelf for near-expiring food and put a bold sticky note on it.

Make It Easy: Consider bright fridge organizer bins so your “Use First” zone stands out.

8. Turn Expiring Food Into Quick Snacks

Those bananas turning brown? They’re not trash. They’re banana bread waiting to happen.

A little creativity can turn “almost gone” into “wow, that’s delicious.”

• Blend fruits into smoothies before they get mushy.
  
• Bake veggies into muffins or casseroles for easy meals.
  
• Use stale bread for croutons, French toast, or breadcrumbs.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Check your fridge once a week for food nearing expiration and plan one fun snack using it.

Make It Easy: Consider a compact countertop blender for smoothies, sauces, and leftover transformations.

📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌