9 Actionable Ways To Reduce Food Waste

Thank you so much for landing on this super helpful post!
In this post, you’ll uncover the best ways to minimize food waste and save tons of money each year.
Before, I share those powerful money-saving tips, let me quickly explain why it’s so important to build these habits in our lifestyle so we can pass them to the coming generation.
First of all, look what the MITRE survey on “Edible food waste” have to say.

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Inflation isn’t stable—it increases every year, and so do our bills. Amiright?
No matter how tough the economy gets, we never compromise on the quality of food we buy for ourselves and our families. We want them to have the best quality we can afford—and quality doesn’t come cheap.
Many people think the cost they paid at checkout is the real cost for their grocery, unfortunately that’s not the truth. There are other hidden costs like the gas you use to drive to the grocery store, the time you spend shopping adds up too, and don’t forget the self-control it takes to resist all those flashy deals and ads trying to drain money out of your pocket. Right?
It takes lots of determination to stick to a grocery list, and stay on budget.
Just because of poor meal planning and poor storage habits—we end up throwing away roughly 18% to 20% of our groceries every month.
Wow! 20% is a huge number.
Hidden Costs to Put Food On Plate

That 20% could be invested in stocks and potentially grown by at least 10% each year!
But not anymore. No more waste.
Now let me share the tips with you I personally follow that saved my bank—and if you follow them, it can save yours too.
1
Plan Your Meals for the Week
Check your fridge and pantry to see what you already have. Then make a menu for the entire week and create your shopping list according to it. Stick to the list and only buy what’s on. This habit reduces both food waste and overspending.
2
Buy Only What You Really Need
Don’t guess-shop. When you shop without a list, you might forget essentials like salt, sugar, or toothpaste—or worse, overbuy perishable items like fruits, vegetables, dairy, or meat. These don’t come cheap and spoil quickly.
Grocery stores are open every day—so only buy perishables as you need them.
Bulk buying is great only when you’re sure it will be consumed before it goes bad
3
Understand Expiration Dates
Food labels can be confusing, so it’s important to understand what they really mean:
- Best Before / Use By: The product will be at peak quality before this date.
- Sell By: A guide for stores—not necessarily when food goes bad.
Use your senses—look, smell, and taste—before throwing anything away. Don’t rely only on printed dates.
4
Store Food Properly
Proper storage can greatly extend the shelf life of your groceries. I highly recommend using vacuum sealers, airtight containers, and plastic wrap to keep perishables like meat, poultry, and dairy fresher for longer.
5
Use Leftovers Creatively
Letting leftovers sit at the back of the fridge is a fast track to food waste. Instead, repurpose them:
- Leftover veggies? Throw them into soups or stuff them into burritos.
- Extra rice? Make stir-fried rice.
If you can’t eat it right away—freeze it!
6
Keep Your Fridge Organized
A messy fridge makes it easy to forget what you have, which leads to spoilage.
Follow the “first in, first out” rule—move older items to the front so they get used first. Label containers with dates to help you keep track.
7
Freeze for Later
Your freezer is your best friend when it comes to cutting down on waste. You can freeze almost anything—bread, fruits, soups, even herbs in olive oil—for future use. It’s a simple way to make food last longer and save money. You’ll be surprised how much less you throw away!
8
Serve Smaller Portions
Hosting a backyard party? Serve smaller portions—guests can always come back for seconds. Uneaten food often ends up in the trash. This small habit can make a big difference in your budget.
9
Preserve with a Dehydrator
Use a dehydrator or your oven on low heat to dry out fruits, vegetables, or herbs before they wilt. Store them in airtight containers and use them as needed. Great way to preserve and reduce waste!
10
Bonus Tip: Keep a Food Waste Log
Try measuring or weighing your food waste, the number will shock you…..Keeping a log of what you throw away can highlight the money drainer blind spots.
For example, I used to buy frozen spinach—no waste there, because I didn’t have to worry about shelf life. Then I switched to fresh spinach, and I always ended up tossing it.
Since I started logging my grocery waste, I realized the real problem was poor meal planning. I fixed it and—boom—no more waste!
All the tips I’ve shared are ones I personally follow, and I now save around 18% to 20% on my food budget.
Whatever I save on groceries, I move into my fun budget—and now, me and my family get to have more fun without feeling guilty!