How I Save Time and Money With an Organized Freezer

Have you ever been at the supermarket with your list, thinking you’re saving money because you’re sticking to it? Then you get to the meat section and think, "Did I check my freezer? Do I have enough chicken?" So you grab some, just in case, only to get home and realize you already had enough. Now you've spent money you didn’t need to spend! We’ve all been there.

To avoid this, I divide my freezer into sections—one for vegetables, one for meats, chicken, and fish, and another for miscellaneous items. This way, in less than 30 seconds, I can see exactly what I have, helping me plan meals and save money. Organization is key!

Tools You Need for Freezer Organization

Before we jump into the tips, you’ll need a few tools. I’ll leave a link to my favorite vacuum sealer in the description box.

1. Freezer Bags: Name brand or store brand doesn’t matter, but get them on sale!
2. Containers: I picked up round and square trays from the Dollar Tree. They’re great because you can label the lids!
3. Permanent Marker: Trust me, you want a marker that doesn’t smudge.
4. Vacuum Sealer: My secret weapon for saving groceries. It’s small, discreet, and saves so much money.

Once the bag is full, I use them to make vegetable stock in my crockpot. I leave it on the lowest setting overnight, and voilà—homemade stock! You can use it for soups, flavoring rice, or deglazing pans. It’s a tip I got from a chef friend, and it adds nutrients to meals. Just make sure not to fill jars or bottles to the top when freezing liquids—they expand and could break.

Tip #2: Skip the Salt and Preservatives

Whenever possible, I avoid added salt and preservatives. Instead of buying canned beans, I buy a bag of beans (kidney, black, etc.), cook them in my slow cooker, and freeze what I don’t need. It’s healthier, cheaper, and I can control the flavor better.

Tip #3: Cook Once, Eat Twice

Whenever I make a meal my family loves, I double the recipe. It doesn’t take much more time or money, and I freeze the second batch for a future meal. I use containers from the Dollar Tree, and I always label them with the name of the meal and heating instructions.

Tip #6: Freeze Fresh Vegetables

You can make your own frozen vegetables! Whenever a vegetable is at its rock-bottom price, I buy extra. I boil or steam it, let it cool, and freeze it. When I need a vegetable for a meal, I just pull it from the freezer, thaw it, and cook it. It’s as fresh as can be and saves me money when produce prices go up.

Tip #7: Freeze Fresh Fruit

If fruit is on sale, buy extra and freeze it! I chop up fruit, vacuum seal it, and freeze it for smoothies or cocktails. I even made watermelon margaritas with frozen watermelon recently—such a hit with my friends!

Tip #8: Leftover Wine? Freeze It!

Yes, wine can go bad, so I freeze leftover wine in ice cube trays. These wine cubes are perfect for keeping your drink cold without watering it down. I even use them in sangria! A neighbor of mine combined this tip with frozen fruit to make the best sangria ever.

Tip #9: Buy in Bulk and Portion

When meat, chicken, or fish is on sale in large packs, I always buy it. Even if you don’t need all of it right away, portion it out and vacuum seal the individual pieces. It prevents freezer burn, and you’ll always have fresh meat on hand without paying full price.