Three savvy ways to save cash by cutting food waste

The Sun

16-07-2025

BUSY lives and the demands of running a household can make it easy to lose track of what is in our fridge.
Yet, the average UK family bins around £470-worth of food every year, according to charity Friends Of The Earth.
If you're looking to save some cash, try cutting down on food waste with some of these tips. . .
USE-UP DAY: Try allocating one day of the week to using up food that's in your fridge.
Ideally you should pick the day just before you do a weekly shop and an evening that you're usually at home.
Pick out the food that needs to be used and team it with food from your freezer or cupboards.
Make it fun by setting a challenge and getting your kids or partner involved too.
Set the challenge of who can come up with the most creative dish?
Tesco has a recipe-finder tool where you can enter three ingredients that need using up and it will match them with a dish to make.
PLAN MEALS: Work out what you're going to eat before you shop for the week, so you don't buy food that you don't need or won't have time to eat.
Try buying fruit and veg loose to avoid buying more than needed.
For example, a handful of potatoes or carrots for the meal you planned rather than the big bag that you don't need.
Forget bubble and squeak I make the best left over roast dinner pie-
Make sure you're storing your fresh food to keep it at its best for longer, giving you more time to eat it.
Popping most fruit and veg in the fridge, except bananas, will make them last longer.
FREEZER FRIENDS: If you cook more food than needed, consider popping it in the freezer for another day.
Make sure all cooked food is cool before you freeze it and divide it into portions.
Label and date food when you put it in the freezer, so you know how long it's been in there.
It's not just leftovers that can be frozen — any food that you haven't got around to eating such as bread, milk and bananas can also go in the freezer.
All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
7
Deal of the day
7
GIVE your outdoor space a lift with this arch bench, down from £129.99 to £99.99 at Wilko.
SAVE: £30
Cheap treat
SLIP your feet into these flatform flip flops. Choose from three styles, £4 a pair at Primark.
Top swap
HAVE an easy hair day with help from this satin knot headband, £12 from Accessorize.
Or get this similar look from New Look, for £5.99.
Shop & save
YOUR skin will shimmer when you use this vitamin E body lotion from Superdrug. It's down from £4.99 to £3.32.
PLAY NOW TO WIN £200
7
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.