This article appeared in SoFi's On the Money newsletter. Not getting it? Sign up here.

You meant to make that stir-fry. Really, you did. But now the bell peppers are shriveled, the chicken’s past its prime, and the cilantro? It’s gone full slime. If your fridge had a “science experiment” drawer, you’d be all set. Most of us accept that we’ll waste some food. It’s pretty hard to avoid it entirely. But how much do you throw away and what is it costing you? The numbers are pretty startling. Over a third of food in the U.S. is never eaten, and the average person wastes an estimated 256 pounds (!) of food — $728 worth — each year, according to a recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency. For a family of four, that works out to $2,913 a year — or $56 each week — in uneaten groceries, takeout, and restaurant food. That’s enough to cover the average household’s utility bills for eight months. All told, in 2023 Americans spent $261 billion on food they didn’t ultimately eat, which represented nearly 14% of their annual spending on food at home and 7% of their spending on food away from home, according to the non-profit ReFed. As a nation, food is wasted at every step of the process — whether it’s unharvested on farms, rejected by grocery stores, or left on your plate at a restaurant — making it a significant drain on the economy. And then there are the environmental impacts: Wasted food squandered an estimated 16.2 trillion gallons of water in 2023, and is responsible for over half the methane gas generated by landfills. But nearly half of all food waste occurs at home, making your own shopping and eating habits a key part of the solution. So what? Small changes at home can add up, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars and chipping away at a systemic problem. You don’t have to be perfect to get better, either. Start here:

•   Take note of what you’re wasting. Is it spoiled herbs and salad greens, leftovers from dinner, or your kid’s lunchbox items that aren’t getting eaten? Being mindful of what it is you’re wasting is half the battle as you adjust your habits.

•   Take a quick inventory before you shop. Check your fridge before shopping to avoid buying produce, meat, and other perishables you already have.

•   Check your calendar before you shop. When you’ve got two work dinners coming up and your kids are at sleepaway camp, it’s probably not the best week to buy a huge loaf of fresh bread or all the ingredients for that new summer salad recipe.

•   Schedule your leftovers. When you have leftovers from a meal, take a minute to consider your schedule for the next three days. If you’re not going to be home much, consider putting them straight in the freezer.

•   Be careful about buying in bulk. Prices can be lower if you buy bigger quantities, but you’re not saving money if you don’t end up eating the extra food. Skip bulk buys you may not finish.

•   Be creative about using leftovers or other groceries that need to get used. You don’t have to like eating leftovers to use leftovers. Turn the rest of those veggies from last night’s dinner into a soup or make an egg scramble with unused sausage. Make a stock with wilted veggies or a tasty quick bread from mushy bananas. Chances are most of it is still edible. And all of it is paid for.

•   Make sure you’re storing produce properly. Keep greens wrapped with paper towels, tomatoes and bananas on the counter, potatoes and onions in cool dark places, and herbs in water. Keep frozen fruits and veggies handy. Wasting food wastes money, time, and resources. It hits your budget and clogs landfills. Plus, getting more from what you already have feels good. If you save $20 a week, your cell phone bill or a month’s gym membership is covered. Or some of next week’s groceries — enough to buy those stir-fry ingredients again.

Related Reading

Do 'Ugly' Produce Delivery Services Actually Save You Money? (Tasting Table) The 10 Groceries You’re Most Likely To Throw Away, and How To Stop Wasting That Money (All Recipes) Food Expiration Date Guidelines (Real Simple)

---

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

OTM20250714SW