How to Save Money Immediately with the Food You Have

Every trip to the grocery store is a drag, and it probably feels like you're breaking the bank and your back every time. But despite all of this, when you open your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator, you probably see a surplus of unused food.

Don't let food go to waste just because you're uninspired to use it. Here are some tips to get the most out of the food that's already in your pantry.

USING FOOD WISELY

It may seem obvious, but sometimes it's good to remember that at some point you bought that can of beans that has been sitting in the corner of your pantry. You chose it, you paid for it, and you brought it home. Food waste is simply unaffordable, especially if you're on a budget.

The sad fact is, most food waste occurs because we automatically reach for something at the grocery store, thinking we're out at home. Here's how to break this trend, and start optimizing the food you already have.

Know What You Have

To start this process, get ready to do some organizing and mental cataloging.

• Clean out your pantry. Acknowledge that you probably already have enough ingredients to make dinner right now with a few fresh ingredients added in. You can enjoy the fact right off the bat that you'll save big on your next grocery trip.
• Throw away all expired, stale, or spoiled food items. Make sure you check to see whether something is actually inedible, however. Many "use by" dates are somewhat arbitrary.
• Find recipes for everything you have. You can find online recipe guides that let you search by ingredient. Find recipes for everything you have left in your pantry, and build your next shopping list based on whatever else you need to build your meals.
• Meal plan for the next two weeks. Your goal is to reduce the overstock you've accumulated and save some money immediately.
• Use what you've learned. You've probably noticed that you accumulate too much food, and also what pantry items you rotate through and what you don't. Stock up only on pantry items you use regularly, and stay moderate about the rest.