How to Stop Wasting Food and Save Money
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Why does food waste still cost American households hundreds of dollars each month?
Here's your Money Briefing for Wednesday, January 3rd. I'm J.R. Whelan for The Wall Street Journal. Aside from putting a roof over our heads and getting around town, food is the biggest expense in our monthly budgets. It's also an expense we can control.
The most important thing to do is to have a plan. So a lot of people do go into the grocery store with a list or maybe like they jot down a few things. But few people actually stick to their list on a regular basis, whether that's buying things that weren't on it or changing their plan because they see something that's on sale.
We'll talk to Wall Street Journal personal finance reporter Amani Moise about how to avoid throwing money away along with spoiled food after the break.
Some prices have fallen in the past few months, but not food. And yet Americans threw out about a quarter of a trillion dollars worth of food in 2022. Wall Street Journal personal finance reporter Amani Moise joins me with ways to reduce your food wasting and food spending. So Amani, what's the most common mistake people make with regard to food purchases?
The most common mistake that people make is what dieticians call aspirational grocery shopping. So that's when you go to the store thinking that you're either going to cook a lot more often than you really do or eat healthier than you really do.
What is 'aspirational grocery shopping' and how does it lead to waste?
What ends up happening is you fill up your kitchen full of a whole bunch of healthy foods and ingredients. And then by the end of the week, you get tired and you order takeout and the food in the fridge goes to waste.
What foods do people waste the most?
The most commonly wasted foods are fruits and vegetables because they tend to have a shorter shelf life. They go bad quickly. And those are exactly the type of aspirational things that people buy, thinking that they're going to eat healthier than they actually do.
Now let's talk about ways to bring your food spending under control. What should we do before even stepping foot in the grocery store?
The most important thing to do is to have a plan.
Which foods are wasted most often and why are fruits and vegetables at risk?
So a lot of people do go into the grocery store with a list or maybe like they jot down a few things. But few people actually stick to their list on a regular basis, whether that's buying things that weren't on it or changing their plan because they see something that's on sale. If you want to really reduce your food waste, you should, one, have your list. And before you make that list is make a plan for what you plan to eat. So look at your calendar. How many times do you plan to eat out?
What should you do before shopping to avoid buying food you won't use?
Do you have a lot of business lunches or something like that? If you have a super busy week, you should probably buy less at the grocery store.
And I guess figure out what you already have in your kitchen cupboards.
Yes. Before you go to the store, definitely check your freezer, check your pantry for those canned items or frozen ground beef that you forgot about and bought some time ago. Try to check what's already in your kitchen to find inspiration. So maybe you only have to buy a few more things in order to make a meal.
So having a list is really important to keep your spending under control, right?
Yes. And there's actually a few tips to make your list more effective. So, for example, there was some research done at Drexel University that shows that people who make a paper list actually do a better job of sticking to it than people who make digital lists. And that's because people who actually take the time to sit down and write down their list on paper, they tend to take it as a more serious planning activity. And that paper list feels more like a final product compared to a digital list, which you can just, you know, edit on the go.
So when I'm in the store and I'm crossing out things on my paper list, I don't look like I'm outdated?
How can making a paper grocery list reduce overspending and waste?
I'm actually doing it the right way?
You're doing it the right way and you're probably saving money.
Well, that's good. But not every household has the same grocery needs. Families with children have lots more to consider when they go to the store, like lunches or after-school snacks.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
Why does food waste still cost American households hundreds of dollars each month?
0:02–1:34
2
What is 'aspirational grocery shopping' and how does it lead to waste?
1:34–2:11
3
Which foods are wasted most often and why are fruits and vegetables at risk?
2:11–2:37
4
What should you do before shopping to avoid buying food you won't use?
2:37–3:38
5
How can making a paper grocery list reduce overspending and waste?
3:38–4:20
6
What special strategies help families with children cut produce waste?
4:20–5:08
7
How can planning for takeout and flexible meal plans lower your food bills?
5:08–6:09
Speakers
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