The Secret to an Organised Fridge That Saves You Money
We’ve all seen those Pinterest-worthy, perfectly organised fridges that make us think, I wish mine looked like that! 🫣 But the truth is, fridge organisation isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s also about keeping your food fresh, reducing food waste, and ultimately saving you money.
That’s right! Investing in proper food storage can actually save you money in the long run. Hello, girl math! 😍 But before you start adding every storage container to your cart, let’s talk about the best ways to organise your fridge without breaking the bank.
You Don’t Have to Spend a Fortune
Sure, a beautifully matching set of containers looks amazing, but that doesn’t mean you have to splurge on a whole new set. If an Instagram-worthy fridge isn’t in the budget, that’s totally fine! The real goal is functionality and food preservation.
Start with What You Have
🧡 First, raid your cupboards and check for spare containers you can repurpose. Most of us have a few extras lying around, and using what you already own is the most budget-friendly way to get started! I love using my glass containers for berries etc as they store beautifully well.
If You’re Buying New, Here’s What to Look For
If you do want to invest in storage containers, here are some tips to get the most out of your purchase:
🧡 Choose Clear Containers – Being able to see what’s inside is a game-changer. Opaque containers often lead to forgotten food, which means more waste and more money down the drain. Transparent storage makes it easy to track what you have before it expires. And this includes those removable baskets inside, while they may seem great most aren't see through and it is easy to forget what's inside.
🧡 Pick What Works for You – There are so many options on the market, and personal preference plays a big role. I personally love the Little Label Co fridge containers linked here, especially the ones with a drainage hole. I’ve tested several brands, including Kmart’s, and found that while Kmart’s are more affordable, I personally didn't like them and didn't find they worked all too well. I've also used more expensive brands so I have tested a lot of different ones and the LLC brand seems to be the best for me personally. I have had some for nearly 1.5 years and they work amazing. Plus I can see through them and they have the little insert to let water underneath and your produce isn't sitting it in the excess liquid.
🧡 Quality Over Quantity – If budget is a concern, consider buying fewer high-quality containers rather than a large set of cheaper ones you don’t love. It’s better to wait and get the ones that truly work for your needs, but again this is how I do things in my life personally. I like to save and buy the thing I really want instead of buying a low quality (not always price dependent but quality) and having to re-buy again. I like to keep things for a long time and really get use out of them. But again we need to do what works for the season of life we are in and what works for us.
Proof That Storage Containers Work
I ran a little test to see how well fridge storage containers keep produce fresh: 🫑 Two capsicums were stored in a container—they kept their shape and firmness for five days. 🫑 One capsicum was left loose in the fridge and it became wrinkly and lost its crunch, it became quite soft.
This is exactly why I love using containers! While some people swear by the crisper drawer, I don’t have enough space for all my veggies, and I find that things can get a bit squished. Using clear containers allows me to maximise my fridge space while keeping my produce fresher for longer. And reducing my food waste of produce going off or getting lost in the fridge.
Final Thoughts
Fridge organisation doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. The key is using what works best for you and your space. Whether you repurpose old containers or invest in new ones, the goal is the same keeping food fresh, reducing waste, and making meal prep easier (and more budget-friendly).
Do you have a favourite fridge organisation tip? Let me know in the comments!