Instead of spending money on food you either don't use as you go, or give away, why not put some time and money into building a decent pantry?

A neighbor had her grandson build a nice one. Not all that big, but it sure holds a lot! It is long and narrow (probably about 4'x10'), just off the kitchen inside the garage. Shelves line each long wall & the far wall. The walkway is about one chubby person wide. Judy started near the door, and started filling the shelves with what she eats. Just buying extra each week, she has almost filled up one wall. Gallon water jugs (PET) sit on the floor under the shelves (she got those gradually, too). Things like fresh potatoes, onions and squashes sit in baskets on the bottom shelves (above the water).

She said all she has to do is eat her way down one side of the pantry, gradually replacing what she eats. She keeps a bright yellow sheet of stiff cardboard as a marker, and moves it as she goes. She doesn't bother clumping similar stuff together, she just mixes it all on the shelves, as she is likely to eat it. She said this way, she doesn't have to keep a list of what is there.

Sue