Ever notice the tendency for grocery stores to place the freshest items near the back of the display case? If you want the freshest milk you have to reach to the back. The freshest fruit – again search the back of the bin.
This placement is done on purpose to ensure the oldest items are purchased first, cutting down on wastage and saving the grocery store money.
You can use the very same trick to save money in your own home. Let me explain.
The other day I realized that after grocery shopping I tend to shove items in my refrigerator to the back to make room for newly purchased groceries.
The same thing happens with my cupboards. The old items are pushed to the back to make way for new groceries in the front. This same behavior is common in kitchens around the country.
The problem is that the last two eggs in the carton, the quarter stick of butter, and left-overs from last night are pushed to the back to make room for the new groceries. In the process it becomes less likely that these older items will be consumed and more likely they’ll end up in the trash can.
The next time you’re putting away your groceries in the refrigerator or cupboard take a cue from your local grocery store. Rotate the newly purchased items to the back while moving the older items to the front.
Rotating the items in this way will help ensure older items are eaten first instead of being wasted. Rotating items may take a little longer to do but could save your family hundreds of dollars a year.
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My parents could definitely benefit from this trick. Of course, another way to save money is to only buy what you are going to eat that week. My mother is constantly buying stuff that is on sale, even when it’s something she doesn’t normally eat. A couple of months back I cleaned out their pantry and threw out all the stuff that was expired. It ended up filling two garbage bags. What a waste!
Hey Alissa,
Thanks for the comment. You are so right with regards to cleaning out the pantry and having to throw out food. I read one study where they estimated that nearly 12% of all the food we purchase ends up in the garbage can.
Something I would add is to make sure that you label your leftovers. Use a sharpie or freezer tape to write the date. You don’t want to leave leftovers in fridge too long cause might cause food poisoning.