There are many ways to save money on the food we buy for ourselves and our families.
Keeping an inventory of your food can help because, when you know what you have, you can avoid buying duplicates. It also allows you to plan meals around what’s already in your kitchen, reducing unnecessary grocery trips and impulse purchases.
I have to admit—while I love getting great deals on groceries, taking an inventory of what’s in my fridge, freezer, and pantry is one of my least favourite tasks. I’ve been putting it off for a while. But I know it’s important. If I don’t know what I have, how can I possibly know what I need to prepare meals at home? Keeping track of my food is key to keeping grocery spending under control.
Running out of staples often leads to last-minute, more expensive purchases—or takeout.
I had planned to tackle this project last weekend—but didn’t. So, I’ve decided to take it one step at a time. First, I’m starting with the refrigerator. As I list everything inside, I quickly notice some produce that needs to be used soon. Looks like salads will be on the menu for the next couple of days. I also spot some apples that are past their prime for snacking, but they’ll be perfect baked into a pie.
Next, I move on to the freezer. It’s a disorganized mess. I start by grouping similar items into clear plastic bins. Then, I write down each food item and how much I have of it. It takes some time, but once it’s done, it’s much easier to see what’s there. While sorting, I find some tomatoes I froze last summer for a future canning project. I set them out to thaw. Soon, they’ll be stewed, placed in canning jars, and processed in a water bath canner. Having home-canned tomatoes on the shelf will be perfect for making pasta sauces, chili, and more.
Now, it’s time to check the pantry. I had no idea I had so many chickpeas! It’s the perfect excuse to make homemade hummus. If you’ve never made your own, you should try it. It’s easy, inexpensive, and a high-protein, healthy snack. Plus, once you’ve had homemade, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.
Tracking my food also helps me spot frequently used items. When I find a great sale, I can stock up on the things I use most.
I don’t pay too much attention to best-before dates. They don’t mean food is unsafe to eat—just that it’s at peak nutritional value before that date. However, I do check expiry dates on certain foods, like meat. If it’s close to the date, I make sure to cook and eat it or freeze it for later. This helps prevent costly food waste.
Keeping an inventory also helps me manage my grocery budget and focus on essential purchases. By updating it regularly, I can make smarter food choices, stretch my budget, and avoid unnecessary spending.
I’m sure that if you inventory the food you have on hand, you too will discover you’ll save money at the grocery store.
Laverne Stewart has spent her entire career as a writer, journalist, and communications professional.She’s won multiple literary and journalism awards for her work. After a year in radio, she made the move to TV news, spending 11 years with CTV in Halifax, Saint John, and Fredericton. Stewart has also worked in government communications, most recently in the Office of the Premier. Stewart is a published author and now works on feature stories from her community and beyond. Her life is full and happy thanks to the people who are in it. She is married to her husband Robert. She is mother to Mary Louise and Nicolas. Also included in her family is Sally, a Labrador retriever, and three cats; Dusty, Joe, and Clancy. She can be reached at lavernestewart24@outlook.com.
