10 hidden ways you're wasting money in the kitchen

When we want to trim the budget we often look at where we can cut back, but another way to save money is to consider where you might be wasting it. Often this happens without us noticing, with small habits adding up to extra spending on groceries, utilities and more.

One place in the home this happens more than most is the kitchen, but if we know where we are pouring money down the drain we can start to fix it.

Here are 10 ways you might be wasting money in the kitchen:

1. Not cleaning fridge coils

They are out of sight, out of mind but fridge coils covered in grime and dust are wasting money without you realising it. According to Fast Fridge Repairs, dirty coils have the potential to add $10 to $20 to your power bill each month by making the appliance less efficient.

2. Not checking what you have before grocery shopping

This is just one of many ways you might accidentally waste money when grocery shopping. So along with making a list before you go, have a look in the fridge and pantry to see what you already have so that you don't double up – especially if the food is fresh and needs to be used ASAP.

3. Poor storage

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From plastic containers that don't seal properly to putting the milk in the wrong section of the fridge, storing food incorrectly means it won't last as long as it should and you'll have to buy it again well before you would've needed it.

4. Confusing use by and best before dates

When an item has a use by date it's advised we don't consume it after that time. That's not the case with best before dates, where the product is still OK for a little while after, it just won't be as good quality (that is, if you're not doing number three on this list).

5. Using disposables instead of reusable options

Paper towels, plastic wrap and snap-lock bags are all very handy items, but with all the reusable options out there we probably don't need to use them as much as we think. If we use them less, we won't have to buy them as often, saving us money by stretching out the one purchase.

There are many instances when cloths will do the same task you're using paper towels for, while containers and silicone ziplock bags work just as well for leftovers and snacks as plastic wraps and disposable bags.

6. Pre-rinsing dishes

Turn off the tap! Trust us when we say you don't actually need to rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. There are two very good reasons for this; one is that it wastes a huge amount of water, which makes your water bill higher than it needs to be, and the second is it means your dishwasher won't clean as well because it will detect less dirty dishes.

7. Leaving the microwave on

We often leave things like the microwave on standby for convenience, but that is actually using power that you have to pay for. By turning vampire appliances off at the wall you could save yourself $100 to $150 annually according to Engie.

8. Using more than you need

This could also be titled 'buying more than you need' when it comes to food, but in terms of cleaning products most of us tend to use too much at a time. This is typically true with dishwashing powder and washing up detergent, where less is usually more. Remember the more you use each time, the quicker you'll run out and the more often you'll have to replace in the long run.

9. Not fixing leaks

A leaking tap might seem like a little annoyance but all those drops of water add up both in terms of volume and cost. So getting this fixed promptly can save you money.

10. Always using the oven

The oven is the most expensive cooking appliance to run in the kitchen, so where possible consider if you could get the same task done in the microwave or if it's the griller you need for bread, use the toaster. According to CHOICE the smaller the appliance the lower it costs to run, especially if it doesn't need pre-heating first.

The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.