Hey Lykkers, did you know that your daily habits could be affecting your wealth? You might not think of your fridge as a place that holds financial secrets, but it actually says a lot about how we manage our money.

Financial planner Katsuko Murakoshi from Japan explored this idea by studying fridges across homes in Japan. What she found may just surprise you—certain habits in our kitchens may be contributing to financial habits that aren't helping us save.

1. Overstuffing the Fridge Door

We all love to try new flavors and seasonings, right? But sometimes, our excitement leads to cluttered fridge doors. If you've ever bought a bunch of seasonings and only used them once, only to find them later covered in dust or even expired, you're not alone. This isn't just a matter of food waste; it's a sign of an underlying habit of overspending. Filling up the fridge door with random bottles, sauces, or drinks may seem harmless, but it often leads to throwing away what we don't use in time—costing us more than we think. Let's take a step back. Next time we shop, let's think carefully about what we actually need and will use.

2. Hiding the Bottom of the Vegetable Drawer

When was the last time you cleaned out your vegetable drawer? If you find that you can't even see the bottom of it due to the excessive packaging, it's time to reconsider. Over-packaged veggies often spoil faster, and it's such a waste, especially when you have to toss out moldy, expired produce only to buy more. With the rising cost of vegetables, this is a habit that's both wasteful and expensive. We don't need to buy an excess of vegetables that will end up going to waste. Let's aim for buying only what we will eat and consume in time. Small adjustments can prevent that unnecessary double loss.

3. Buying Duplicate Seasonings and Items

It happens to all of us at one point or another: we buy the same thing twice without realizing it. Maybe it's because we didn't check the fridge before going shopping or simply forgot what we already had. But this habit not only leads to fridge clutter, it also means money is going down the drain. Think about it—if we're consistently buying duplicate items, we're wasting both money and food. Next time we head to the store, let's take a quick inventory of our fridge to avoid this simple mistake.

4. Using Opaque Containers

Who doesn't love a cute ceramic container for food storage? While they look great and don't absorb smells, they can also be a real issue when it comes to keeping track of what's inside. If you're using opaque containers, you may forget about the food stored inside, which often leads to spoilage. Instead of using non-transparent containers, consider switching to glass jars or containers that you can easily see through. This simple change could save you from the nasty surprise of discovering forgotten leftovers. If you do prefer non-transparent containers, add a label to remind yourself what's inside. This is a small change that can make a huge difference in reducing food waste.

5. Freezing Meat in Foam Trays

How many of us bring meat home and simply toss it into the freezer without removing it from the foam tray it came in? It's a common practice, but did you know that foam trays don't keep meat frozen as efficiently as other packaging? The poor heat conduction from the foam affects the freezing process, which in turn, affects the quality and flavor of the meat. To get the best out of your purchase, remove the meat from the foam tray and store it properly. A little extra effort can prevent wasting money on subpar meals later on.

Are We Really Saving?

As we can see from the habits listed above, it's clear that the way we store food in our fridges is directly tied to our financial habits. If we constantly buy more than we need, fail to organize, and forget about what we already have, we're essentially wasting both money and food. These are the kinds of habits that can lead to a “spend without thinking” mindset, which could be preventing us from building wealth.

Let's try to be more mindful in how we manage our kitchens and, in turn, how we manage our finances. With a little more planning and organization, we can reduce waste, save money, and ultimately improve our financial well-being. So, Lykkers, the next time you open your fridge, take a moment to think about how your fridge habits could be helping—or hindering—your financial goals. Small changes can lead to big results!