We know we’re guilty of throwing stuff away when, truthfully, it would be fine to eat. This is an epidemic we’re seeing nationwide, are you guilty of it too?

Not only is it pretty bad for the environment, but think of the money you’re throwing away! On average, food waste is costing households £470 a year. That sum could easily fund a relaxing break, or other living essentials you’re taking for granted.

With this in mind, we’ve teamed up with electrical retailer AO.com. They have developed an interactive piece of content – A Waste-Less Journey – to help you save money on your food purchases. With a downloadable meal planner, tips on food labels, an array of recipes to try, plus a guide on what you can freeze, AO.com has thought of everything to help prevent waste and help you get saving!

Just take a look below!

The Waste-less Journey has been created by AO.com

I hate waste. It is the first thing I think about when I see something dropped on the floor by one of the children or realise something has gone off in the fridge. It really bothers me. I’ve included some of my top tips for reducing waste below:

• Buy frozen – things like frozen vegetables can help reduce waste. You don’t have to buy everything frozen but switching some products will help
• Don’t overfill plates – if food is left on the plate it is a waste, people can always have seconds, but if you leave it in the pan, if it doesn’t get eaten it can be frozen in a tub for another day
• Make soups out of left overs – this can be especially useful after a roast dinner
• Blend any leftovers and put in pots for your baby or toddler – I never use salt when I cook so this is OK but I wouldn’t recommend it if you do
• If you cook too much rice or pasta for an evening meal one night, make a cold rice or pasta salad for lunch the next day
• Left over chilli or bolognese is great the day after over a jacket potato
• Left over roast meat can be great in a sandwich
• Bananas that are starting to go over mash well and can be great in a banana bread
• Tomatoes that are a bit crinkly to use in a salad will mince up well for a salsa or bake nicely in the oven

Just stop and think before you throw things away – could you still use it?

What sort of things do you do to reduce waste?