Use More – Daily Financial Tip

I mentioned a few posts back to use less by using half the amount to save money. The question you’re probably asking yourself now is how in the world do you save money by using more? The answer is by using more of what you already have instead of throwing it out.

Use More

According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, families in the United States waste about 10 percent of their food dollars by purchasing groceries that they never use. This is because the food rots, molds, or spoils before it can be used. Therefore, it has to be thrown away. With the average house purchasing approximately 10 percent of their income in groceries a year, that means a family that earns $40,000 is throwing about $400 a year directly into the trash.

There’s a simple way to avoid this waste. Take the time to go through your refrigerator and shelves every couple of days. Try to incorporate the food that’s aging into meals. Old bananas are perfect for banana bread. A stale loaf of bread can be turned into a wonderfully delicious bread pudding. Make a monthly inspection of your pantry. Use whatever cans that have been shoved to the back. Locate all the items that are nearing their expiration dates.

If you have never done this type of cooking before and find yourself at a loss of what to do with certain food items that will go bad soon, try to post on the forums. Those who have been doing this type of saving should be able to help you come up with a recipe to save the food.

By using more of what you already have, you won’t need to buy as much at the grocery store. This ultimately means more dollars into your pocket.

Jeffrey Strain

Jeffrey strain is a freelance author, his work has appeared at The Street.com and seekingalpha.com. In addition to having authored thousands of articles, Jeffrey is a former resident of Japan, former owner of Savingadvice.com and a professional digital nomad.