You probably don’t hear many people say this, but I have an organized refrigerator. It’s partly due to the fact that I am a neat freak, but even more so because I’m a cheapskate and can’t stand to waste money– or food!
Knowing what I have in my fridge is the most important aspect of saving money. When I keep it nice and neat, ingredients and leftovers aren’t pushed to the back and forgotten about, so rarely do things go to waste. I make sure to store half-eaten bell peppers or leftover casserole in clear plastic containers right in the front of the refrigerator, so I can easily see what’s inside.
Instead of keeping fresh fruits and veggies in the crisper drawers where I can’t see them, I put my produce in a large, clear container on one of the shelves. Whenever I open the fridge, it’s the first thing that I see. Similarly, I keep a big, beautiful bowl on my kitchen counter to display fresh produce. The vibrant colors are a beautiful addition to my kitchen– and a constant reminder to not let my nutritious produce go to waste. I’m so cheap, I’d pick an almost rotten banana over another snack just to make sure it didn’t go to waste!
Giveaway Winner
Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway! I think almost everyone got the 3 scores correct. I’ll have to make it harder next time!
Here’s your winner: 40
Silk Light Milk – 82
banana – 91
Quaker Old Fashioned Oats – 57
I hope I win… that chocolate looks delish!!
Congrats, Lindsay! Please email me at thaupert@nuval.com with your full name and mailing address.
NuVal Around the Web
Check out Cassie’s post about her NuVal shopping experience at Meijer in Louisville.
Making Healthy Choices at HyVee
Developed by an independent panel of nutrition and medical experts, the 
I’m the same way with my fridge! My roommates think I’m nuts, but I think we save so much money this way! Leftovers on the top shelf, produce in the middle, and dairy and other often-used items on the bottom. I hate throwing food away.
I’m the same way with my produce! I often choose to eat less tasy things because they are closer to going bad than the more tasty, yet fresher option.
thats a really good idea, tina! my fridge is always so packed that we end up wasting so much food.
i love the idea of putting produce front and center in your fridge!
I am exactly the same. I am frugal (aka cheapskate) and a neat freak. I make sure to never waste anything
I need to follow your lead. My fridge is awful, and I’m always throwing stuff out.
I’m the same way. You should see my freezer. There’s like 3 things in it…and that’s no joke! I only buy what I need each week so we don’t have a lot in our pantry either. I like doing it this way. The only bad thing is sometimes if you don’t feel like stopping at the store you REALLY have nothing in the house. LOL
I’m organized as well. Every single time I buy groceries I reorganize my freezer & refrigerator so that I know what I have & what needs to be eaten first.
I love how you keep your produce on the shelf! I am inspired to re-organize our fridge when we get back from our weekend getaway. Thanks for sharing!
I HATE wasting food too!! I so wish I was crazy organized but sometimes things just fall between the cracks (or the back of a shelf). I like the idea of a clear bowl for produce in the fridge. I may just have to incorporate that into the mix.
I am such a neat freak in my fridge! Pantry is another story
I love your title…organizing the fridge to save money…I never thought of it that way but now I see it in a whole different light…thanks for sharing!
By the way….NUVAL needs and iPhone app!!!! =) =)
[...] week, I wrote about how I keep my refrigerator nice and neat, so foods don’t get pushed to the back and forgotten about. Well, look what I stumbled upon [...]
This is a great idea..it really is true that things get lost and then are wasted in my fridge..I like your clear container idea!
I just stole the idea of putting all my fresh veggies in a big clear bowl in the top front shelf of my fridge! It’s such an “in your face” reminder of all the tasty veggies I have left and that need to be used ASAP. Otherwise they get lost and go bad in the hidden veggie tray.
[...] Knowing what I have in my refrigerator is the most important aspect of saving money. When I keep it nice and neat, ingredients and leftovers aren’t pushed to the back and forgotten about, so rarely do things go to waste. I make sure to store half-eaten bell peppers or leftover casserole in clear plastic containers right in the front of the refrigerator, so I can easily see what’s inside. Check out my full post about reorganizing your refrigerator. [...]