Healthier on a Budget - Take Inventory

For the full series of Healthier on a Budget, click here.

Know What You Have
When you know what's in your cupboards and freezer, you won't have to pay extra for doubles of an item you forgot was shoved to the back of the pantry. I like to keep a list on the fridge and by the pantry so I can write down or mark off the foods I add or use. I admit, I'm having a hard time putting this into practice, but the trick is to attach a pen to the list. When I'm grabbing a can of beans for a quick dinner, I'm not goign to go search for an elusive pen. Knowing what you have on hand is also a big help with menu planning, which I'll get into more tomorrow.

Know What You Throw Away
On average, we throw away hundreds of dollars worth of food every year. That's your hard-earned money being tossed into a trash can. Begin paying attention to what you throw away and you'll know how to use your money more wisely next time you shop. Do you consistently dump spoiled milk down the drain? Then buy a 1/2 gallon instead of a gallon. Sure, the gallon costs less per ounce, but you're not saving any money by throwing it out. Do you throw away deli meat every week? Then buy 3/4 pound instead of the whole pound or put some in the freezer when you get home from the store.

How about leftovers - does anyone eat them? If your family doesn't like eating the same thing 2 days in a row, freeze the extra for a later time. If they're just picky and hate the idea of "leftovers," make planned leftovers where the extras are made into a completely different meal. For example, shredded chicken can be burritos or enchiladas one night and BBQ sandwiches the next. Crockpot beef and potatoes can become beef pot pie.

Personally, I throw away quite a bit of vegetables that I've allowed to sit and rot. My recommendation to myself is to not buy it unless I know I have the time to preserve it as soon as I get home from the grocery store. If I'm buying for a specific meal, I need 2 recipes that I can use this vegetable in just in case I change my mind on the first recipe.