15 Ways to Stop Wasting Money on Food

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OMG, just playing around with my phone and ran across this information! I am so glad that I ran into it. All the ideas that was stated is amazing. I cannot wait to implement them. I just want to say thank you for sharing your time and most of all your wonderful ideas.

Judy Thomson of CA 3:14AM April 09, 2012

I'm a little underwhelmed that you didn't include the biggest tip for produce.

Buy local, and buy in season.

The longer something takes to be trucked in to your region, the longer it sits in a warehouse/truck/store before it gets to you. I have seen produce at otherwise decent grocery stores that was brown and moldy the day they unloaded it off the truck.

Locally grown stuff gets to your table quicker, and you're not paying for the hidden cost of fuel for some 18 wheeler to haul it in from the coast.

Judy of IL 1:55PM February 01, 2012

Throw your stale (but not moldy) bread into the freezer and bring it out anytime you make a casserole or meatloaf. For salads, use Lexi's suggestion and make croutons from the frozen cubes; thaw them in a warm oven and take it from there! Even bread that's had freezer burn makes great breadcrumbs for casserole topping and mixing into meatloaf. Bon appetit!

Holly of CA 12:57PM January 03, 2012

Maybe I'm crazy, but it seems like bread goes moldy a long time before it actually goes stale. I mix it up and alternate between the more expensive fresh bakery breads and the store-bought ones and the store-bought breads will eventually smell sour to me about a day or two before they mold. But they will still be just as soft and tender as the day they were bought! Bakery bread, with fewer preservatives (or none at all) just goes straight to mold, usually only 1-4 days after purchase. Once I get a whiff of "that smell", it's in the trash. It's nauseating.

Tom Servo of AL 2:47AM November 09, 2011

Another great use for old bread/bread ends that no one wants to eat: croutons! We take the ends of all the bread, and throw them in the freezer. Then, when there's at least 5-6 slices in there, I'll make croutons- all it takes is dicing the bread, drizzling with olive oil, throwing on your choice of herbs/parm cheese/spices, and putting them int he oven at 400 until browned (turning once during cooking.) If you've ever looked at the ingredient list for boxed croutons, it's an unpronounceable jibber jabber. Why not save money and eat better?

Lexi of NY 11:47AM November 07, 2011

Just wanted to say thanks for this. I have been trying to both lower my grocery bill and not waste as much food. One strategy I have been trying is trying to work through my fridge/pantry and hold off as much as possible on going to the grocery store.

Marie of VA 9:47PM November 04, 2011

i miss my USNews and World Report in my hands, after 50 or 60 years.... what a loss.

m.meredith of TN 8:11PM October 26, 2011

I disagree with shopping every day....it might work in cities, where you have more specialty stores, but for many of us we'd be more inclined to buy impulse items. I can't count how many times I've gone in "just for a few things" and because it was late and I was tired, I spent an extra 20 dollars.

Veronica of NH 3:40PM October 26, 2011

Love these ideas!

Shondell of GA 3:04PM October 26, 2011

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Alpha Consumer

Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about making smarter financial decisions. She’s the author of Generation Earn: The Young Professional's Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back.

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