Organize + Energize: 5 Ways an Organized Kitchen Saves You Money

Organize + Energize: 5 Ways an Organized Kitchen Saves You Money

How much money do you think you are wasting if you are disorganized in the kitchen? I can tell you that in every kitchen I organize, at least 3 full garbage bags of expired food are thrown away. How many of you actually know what’s hiding in the dark corners of your food cabinets?

Here are 5 ways to save money by having an organized kitchen.

Itemize and categorize food. There is a great sale at the market for buy two get two free. You get home and there isn’t enough room on one shelf for the items. You store them all over the closet or they get pushed to the back of the closet.  You now have 4 of the same item floating in different areas.  Six months later, you clean out and organize your closet and find those bottles and they have expired. Initially, you thought you were saving money on this great deal but you have just wasted money and thrown it into the garbage along with the food. Keep like items categorized and stored together so it is easy to find things.

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Plan ahead. When going to the market, make meal plans ahead of time and then make your food shopping list from your organized food pantry. You will avoid purchasing duplicate items and wasting money on things you already have. Many people make the mistake of not checking their food cabinet before they head to the market. Not planning ahead will also allow you to make impulse purchases and you’ll end up spending more than you planned.

Paper products. Don’t forget about paper products, dishes and utensils you keep stocked for casual events or outdoor parties. Keep all these items grouped together.  When you are planning your party, you will know exactly what you need to purchase and you won’t be purchasing duplicate items and wasting money.

Junk drawers. Many people have junk drawers in the kitchen. Do you really need a junk drawer in the kitchen? Could you utilize that space better? Empty your junk drawer and you may be surprised at what you find. You spent $100 at Target last week but you just found a Target gift card in the back of your junk drawer. You may be wasting money if you are keeping that disorganized junk drawer in the kitchen.

Everything should have a home. Never again purchase a duplicate item because you forgot you had it or you couldn’t remember where you placed it. Keep items grouped and categorized together. Don’t scatter items all over the kitchen. When items are categorized together, you will know immediately where to find something and you won’t waste money purchasing duplicate items.

How are you functioning in your kitchen? Are you wasting time, money and energy in your kitchen? When was the last time you emptied all of the contents of your food cabinets down to bare shelves? Create a kitchen where you can be efficient and productive. Put this on your to-do list and tackle it.

It’s time to give your kitchen an overhaul and have less stress, more free time and more money in your pocket. 

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. She has appeared on air on Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio and her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start. She is also available for organizing workshops. Tune into her weekly radio show, Organize, Energize! on talkstreamradio.com.