The unexpected way you're wasting money in the kitchen
We are always looking for ways to save money in the kitchen, be it through grocery hacks or discount hunts.
But what is often forgotten is that our hard-earned cash could be wasted in a different way.
When you buy groceries for the coming week or month, it can be difficult to gauge how much you will consume exactly. Incorrect estimates can be costly – when the food in the fridge goes bad, the money you have strategically spent goes down the drain.
According to the NSW Environment Protection Authority, the average Australian household discards 20 per cent of the food they buy, roughly equalling to a waste of $3,800 worth of groceries every year.
There are a few things that you can do to keep your food waste to a minimum. Planning your meals ahead could help you organise your shopping list more easily, and using up all parts of the produce – such as beef bone or mushroom stems – can give some variety to your food while making sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
Don’t be so quick to throw out items either. Any food that has gone past its best before date can still be eaten provided that it has been stored properly. Leftovers should also be eaten – if you’re feeling bored, you can repurpose and use them when cooking other dishes.