11 Ways To Save Money In the Kitchen

There are many ways you can save money in your kitchen.  Here is a list of just a few of them to get you started:

1.  Clean out your refrigerator and freezer regularly so you know what’s in there.  You will be less likely to waste food and you will know what you truly need to buy the next time you grocery shop.

2.  Use a slow cooker instead of your oven whenever possible.  They use less energy and won’t heat up your home in the summer.

3.  When using your oven, instead of opening the oven door to check on your baking, use the oven light so you don’t waste extra energy.

4.  When cooking soups, etc. on the stove, use lids to preserve the heat.  Your food will cook faster and less heat will have a chance to escape.

5.  A simple way to save money and help the environment is to get into the habit of using small plastic or glass containers to store your leftovers and for bringing your lunch to work instead of using sandwich bags and excessive plastic wrap.  If you do prefer to use plastic bags, reuse them whenever possible by rinsing them and then letting them dry.  Sticking them to your kitchen cupboard is a great way for them to air out.  Although sandwich bags are not that expensive, if you consider how many you go through in a month, as well as consider the amount of waste you are producing, the environmental and financial cost can add up quickly.  Small plastic containers can be purchased inexpensively at most dollar stores and you can buy them bulk and pay even less.

6.  Clean out your pantry regularly.  It’s amazing what you might find in there and if you keep it well organized, you will save both time and money.  You won’t have to spend so much time digging for that box of cereal in the morning, and you won’t keep buying the same items because you thought you didn’t have any left.  Keeping your pantry clean and organized will eliminate food waste and make your life easier.

7.  Use white vinegar and other natural cleaning products to clean your cutting boards, counters, microwave, etc. instead of buying the more expensive possibly toxic products to clean your kitchen.

8.  If you have a dishwasher, run it only if it’s full.  No need to waste water and energy for a half full load of dishes.

9.  Save on energy bills by waiting until food cools down before putting it into your fridge or freezer.  Try not to keep your fridge and freezer doors open for any longer than necessary.

10.  Instead of buying expensive SOS pads that you can often use only once and then they rust on your countertop, use a small piece of crumpled up aluminum foil to remove the dried on food from your pots and pans.

11.  When reheating leftovers, use the microwave instead of the oven, as microwaves are more energy efficient and much faster.