Viral Grocery Shopping Hack Helps Reduces Waste And Saves Money

Lex Gabrielle
woman grocery shopping
Unsplash | Boxed Water Is Better

Going grocery shopping is a regular activity that people do weekly, or bi-weekly. Many people do some planning when they go to the grocery store to make sure they know exactly what they need.

However, there are times when we go to the store and get things that we already have at home—wasting some money. However, TikTok is here to help us all out.

Making a grocery list is something many people do when going to the store.

grocery list
Unsplash | Glenn Carstens-Peters

Making a grocery list of everything we need so we do not forget things is a normal habit to do when going food shopping. However, there are so many times we forget we do have some items at home.

Sometimes things are hidden in cabinets or in the fridge.

fridge
Unsplash | nrd

Have you ever put a jar of sauce all the way in the back of the fridge or you totally missed the bottle of OJ you had that wasn't even open yet? It happens to the best of us, we totally end up doubling up on groceries.

It ends up costing us a bunch of money.

rotten bananas
Unsplash | Giorgio Trovato

Expiration dates are a real thing and when we have two of something, we don't always end up using everything. Throwing out food is not only a waste of money, but it's a waste of food, too.

Now, thanks to TikTok, there's another way to make food shopping easier.

scissor and paper
Unsplash | Joanna Kosinska

TikTok user annielaurel shared a small but useful trick that helps her in her own kitchen and all you need are some magnets and some art supplies—two things that are inexpensive and easy to get.

The TikTok user said she makes magnets for all the things in her fridge and things she buys.

Fridge Magnets of Food
TikTok | TikTok l annielaurel

The TikTok user said she uses magnets to keep track of all of the food that she buys. She puts them into groups based on the food type and organizes them on the front of her fridge.

When she runs out of something, she has a system.

Food Magnets on Fridge
TikTok | TikTok l annielaurel

Using the magnets, she moves the food item that she has used up to the other side of the fridge so she knows that when she goes shopping, she needs to replace it.

She even goes as far as to make specific brands.

Small Hummus Magnet
TikTok | TikTok l annielaurel

The TikTok user goes as far as to make specific magnets for the brands that she knows and loves to buy. Truthfully, they're adorable and really cool! She also says the system saves her time and money, too.

For those who do want to try this hack, the TikTok user has a tutorial video online.

Food Magnets on Fridge
TikTok | TikTok l annielaurel

As long as you have a printer, some magnets, laminating paper, and a hot glue gun, you too can create these small and adorable magnets for your own fridge.

Cut out your printouts of food and using laminating paper, place them on.

Woman recording tutorial tiktok
TikTok | TikTok l annielaurel

Peel off the sticky side of the laminating paper and put the picture of the food face down so that the top is now laminated and protected. This way, the food photo won't get water damage or anything like that.

Next, cut out the food on the laminating paper.

Woman recording tutorial tiktok
TikTok | TikTok l annielaurel

Then, you can use a hot glue gun or probably use some crazy glue too, to secure it onto a magnet. You want to glue the backside of the food photo onto the magnet and make sure it's secure.

Then let them dry and you're done!

Food magnets on fridge
TikTok | TikTok l annielaurel

After the glue has set and dried, you can start moving and maneuvering your food magnets all over your fridge. Fun and adorable—and best of all, a great way to save money and food!