In any kitchen, there is always going to be some level of waste. Whether scraps from chopping vegetables or leftover bits of food, it’s inevitable that not everything will get used. However, it’s important to minimize waste as much as possible. Not only is it better for the environment, but it can also save you money in the long run.

Fortunately, there are easy ways to cut down on kitchen waste without spending much extra time or money. By being mindful of waste in the kitchen, you can help to make a difference in the fight against food waste.

Here are some tips to get you started:

Plan Your Meals in Advance

One of the biggest reasons we waste food is that we don’t have a plan for what we will make ahead of time. Meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Start by taking inventory of what you already have in your fridge, freezer, and pantry. Then, look through some recipes and list ingredients for the meals you want to make during the week. Planning will help you avoid impulse purchases at the grocery store and ensure you use up all the food you buy.

Get Creative with Leftovers

Instead of eating the same thing for lunch every day, get creative with your leftovers. There are endless possibilities for repurposing leftovers into new and exciting dishes. For example, if you have cooked chicken, you can use it in a salad, wrap, soup, or pasta dish. If you’re ambitious, you can even turn your leftovers into entirely different meals like chicken pot pie or enchiladas. The options are endless.

Shop Smart

When shopping for groceries, pay attention to expiration dates and buy items you’ll have time to use before they go bad. It’s also important to check your pantry and fridge before leaving for the store, so you don’t accidentally buy duplicates of items you already have at home. Another smart tip is to shop in bulk when possible—buying in bulk often saves money in the long run and cuts down on trips to the store. Just be sure that you’re actually going to use everything before it expires.

Store Food Properly

Did you know that a tremendous amount of fruits and vegetables go to waste because they’re not stored properly? To make your food last longer, invest in some airtight storage containers. Proper storage will help your food stay fresh for longer to enjoy it at its peak.

We all know that cooking at home is a great way to save money and eat healthy, but it can also generate a lot of waste. However, using these easy ways to cut down on waste in the kitchen can make a difference.

By planning meals, shopping smartly, and being creative with leftovers, you can make a big difference in how much food ends up in the trash each year.

Shopping can truly be a weekly frustration if you don’t have a system in place. Going through what you already have at home, planning meals, making a shopping list, and then actually getting to the store and staying on track can be incredibly overwhelming.

But what if I told you that a few simple guidelines could not only make your shopping experience much more pleasant but also may save you money?

Here is the lowdown on making grocery day as painless as possible:

Plot your path.

You’ve already decided which meals you’re having this coming week, so now it’s time to make your list. As you create the list, group items and ingredients into categories. List all of your produce together, anything from the deli, all of your chilled items, and anything frozen you may need. This allows you to do a once around the store, which is much quicker and more efficient than shopping for each recipe individually. You’ll save some steps and have less chance of being distracted and adding items that weren’t on your list to the cart.

Shop the outside.

Much in the same vein as plotting your path, if you do happen to hit the store with no list, try to shop the outer edges of the store. The outside path around the store typically houses the departments with whole foods. You’ll find fruits and vegetables, eggs, bread, and more.

Buy what is in season.

As you shop, try to choose items that are bountiful. For example, root vegetables are in season during the fall/winter months. By eating fruits and vegetables that are in season, you’ll avoid the extra costs that may be associated with importing out-of-season items, and they taste way better, too!

Choose store brand.

When you do have to wander into the middle of the grocery store for spices or grains, try to go for the store brand option. Not only is it a cheaper option, they usually taste just the same, if not better.

Watch for sales.

If you’re diligent when it comes to keeping an eye out for sales, you can stock up on a few things here and there to fill your pantry. As you add non-perishables, you may see that your favorite berries are on sale. Grab a few to freeze. This doesn’t add much to your total bill but saves you time and money in the long run.

By spending a little more time planning on the front end, you will definitely benefit from it on the back end. When we sit down to create a menu for the week, we end up eating much healthier and filling foods. Often, we even have an extra portion or two to pack for lunch the next day, saving us mental space in the mornings.

Try these tips to save time and money at the grocery store!