- 10 hours ago
Discover the future of cooking with these 25 unbelievable kitchen innovations that are set to revolutionize your culinary experience in 2026. We've uncovered cutting-edge tools that blend technology with efficiency, transforming your kitchen into a high-performance space. From smart slicers to precision sensors, these gadgets are designed to enhance your cooking and save you time and money.
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FunTranscript
00:00Crackers have holes in them to stop them cracking and breaking during baking.
00:04If the holes weren't there, steam would build up inside the cracker and make it collapse.
00:10Take a look at a soda bottle and you'll notice a disc inside the bottle cap.
00:15This helps seal in the liquid and the drink's fizz, stopping it from going flat.
00:20The long neck on your soda bottle is designed like that to encourage you to hold it there.
00:25That way, the heat from your hand will only warm that top bit of the bottle instead of heating up
00:30your whole drink.
00:32It's always hard to see your food in the microwave because of that pesky black grate on the window.
00:38But it's there to stop harmful microwaves from escaping.
00:41Called the Faraday Shield, it protects you as well as ensures that your food cooks properly.
00:48Food items like chips come with about 43% nitrogen inside their package.
00:53It might seem like they sell you half a bag of air, but it's exactly the opposite.
00:58Oxygen, the gas we breathe, would react with the chips inside the bag and make them go rancid quickly.
01:04It's called oxidizing for a reason.
01:07Nitrogen, on the other hand, is an inert gas that helps keep the foodstuffs fresh
01:12and also protects them from breaking during transportation.
01:16A bag of chips that has this gas cushion lets you enjoy your crunchies without them turning to potato crumbs.
01:23Donuts have holes in them so that the inside and outside cook evenly.
01:28Before the holes were added, the inside would often be greasy and doughy while the outside was crisp.
01:35Margins on paper aren't for writing in dates and numbering lists.
01:39They were originally added to serve a protective function.
01:42Back in the day, rats used to be a pesky problem in people's homes and paper was one of their
01:49favorite snacks.
01:50Margins were added as a safeguard so that the rats would nibble on blank paper rather than taking a bite
01:56out of your important work.
01:58That hole in your hollow lollipop stick isn't to prevent choking should it ever be swallowed.
02:03It's actually there to keep the candy in place.
02:07Excess candy flows into the hollow tube and the hole, which when it hardens, keeps the pop in place.
02:13If it was a smooth stick, the candy would slide off easily.
02:18Vacuums come with so many attachments, but do any of us really know what that one with long bristles is
02:24for?
02:25It's for dusting and is perfect for cleaning framed art, blinds, and lampshades.
02:31What's the difference between a wooden hanger and a plastic one?
02:35Aside from helping keep your clothes in shape, cedar wood hangers also repel moths and bugs.
02:42Salt isn't just used for cooking.
02:44It can get rid of tough smells.
02:46Rubbing salt on your fingertips after chopping garlic should remove the smell.
02:51It also works on shoes.
02:53Toasters have a secret slide in the bottom that can be removed,
02:57so you can clean out all those annoying breadcrumbs.
03:00If you ever had problems with popping chocolates from the box,
03:04look at those little holes around them.
03:06They're there to help you.
03:08If you push a hole right next to the candy, it'll jump out easily.
03:13When you take a sip from a coffee cup with a lid,
03:16it decreases air pressure inside the cup, so air tries to get in.
03:21The tiny hole on the lid allows air to enter that way,
03:24so liquid can smoothly pour out the main hole.
03:28More on beverage lids.
03:30The small button on them let restaurant workers and customers, too,
03:35understand what's in a cup.
03:36Near each button, there's a name.
03:39Just look at which one is pushed down.
03:42The numbers on the fruit stickers tell you how exactly they were grown.
03:46If there are four digits and the first is four or three,
03:50the fruit has been sprayed with pesticides.
03:53If there are five digits and the first is nine,
03:57the fruit has been grown organically.
03:59If there are five digits and the first is eight,
04:03the fruit has been genetically modified.
04:06When you're on your way back to the car after bagging up everything you bought,
04:10use loops on a shopping cart to hang the bags.
04:14Now, softer items like bread, eggs, fruit and veggies won't get squashed by the heavier goods.
04:21If you don't have anyone to hold the other end of your tape measure when you try to measure something,
04:26tap a nail on it.
04:28Now, simply hook your tape on it using the tiny hole all tape measures have.
04:34The square-shaped spoon that goes with a McFlurry helps to mix the ice cream toppings through the dessert.
04:41The spoon hooks directly to a machine and spins around.
04:46Padlocks that are used outside quickly get out of order because of rain.
04:50See this little hole in the bottom?
04:52It's made for pouring engine oil inside.
04:55Do this and the key will again turn in the lock without any difficulty.
05:00You keep banging the bottom of a glass ketchup jar, but nothing's coming out.
05:06Here's a little tip.
05:07Turn your ketchup bottle at an angle and tap on the middle of the neck.
05:12In many fast food restaurants, customers fill tiny folded paper cups to get a portion of ketchup or mustard.
05:19Here's the news.
05:21The cups are supposed to unfold and turn into small paper platters to hold a great deal more sauce.
05:28That little hole on the handle of a pot or a frying pan isn't just for hanging them on the
05:33wall.
05:34During cooking, put the end of your utensil in the hole and it'll be propped over the pot to save
05:40your kitchen from extra mess.
05:41The blue or any other dark color bristles on your toothbrush are meant to remind you when it's time to
05:48get a new one.
05:49If you see that bristles have become pale, change the toothbrush or its head.
05:54An extra hole at the upper part of the sink has multiple hidden functions.
05:59First, in case someone forgets to close the tap, the water won't overflow and the bathroom won't get flooded.
06:06Second, thanks to that hole, the water drains faster as it gives an escape for the air, helping the water
06:13flow down.
06:14Most metallic zippers have a hidden lock inside them to save you from awkward situations, such as an undone fly.
06:21Don't leave the zipper handle in an upward position. When you pull it downwards, it automatically locks.
06:28It's all thanks to those tiny grooves hidden underneath the handle.
06:33Spoiled milk emits gases, like most foods when they go off.
06:37A classic plastic milk jug has a concave shape on one side, so when the gases expand inside the jug,
06:45it expands too, and the concave shape curves out.
06:49Also, if you want to save some milk for later and freeze it, the jug will expand when the milk
06:54gets solid as well, occupying more space in a jug.
06:59Bath foam isn't only for fun or a nice smell. It also helps regulate the temperature.
07:04The bubbles keep the water hot, so you can enjoy a bath a bit longer.
07:09Anyway, it works for acrylic bathtubs only. Those made of metal lose heat really fast either way.
07:16Many cups and mugs have little grooves on the bottom on purpose. They're designed for washing machines.
07:23The grooves let the water flow and not spill over your feet when you take the cup out.
07:28Also, those grooves let the air flow so the cup doesn't crack even if the tea is scalding.
07:35A point on an ointment cap is there for a reason too.
07:39Most tubes are usually sealed with foil and it's better to avoid opening it with fingers unless you're ready to
07:45say goodbye to your nails.
07:47A point easily opens even the most safely sealed tube.
07:52Escalator brushes aren't for keeping your shoes clean and polished.
07:56It might be tough to apply wax right on that brush while the escalator's on the move.
08:00It's for your safety.
08:02Brushes won't let you come close to the edge, so a long coat or bootcut jeans won't end up in
08:08between the steps.
08:10All Tic Tac containers are designed to dispense one Tic Tac every time you open it.
08:16The lid has the same shape as the candy.
08:19Turn the container upside down, gently shake it and slowly open it.
08:23You'll notice only one candy stuck between those lid grooves.
08:27So if you just open the container and shake it until five or even more candies fall into your mouth,
08:33it means you've been eating Tic Tacs wrong all this time.
08:37The pom-pom on top of your beanie wasn't put there as a fashion accessory.
08:42The pom-pom was originally added to the hat to prevent sailors from banging their heads
08:47on the ceilings of the ships that were too low.
08:51What's hiding inside Coca-Cola cans and regular household batteries?
08:56Why do magnets affect breakfast cereals?
08:59Do crosswalk buttons actually work or are they just useless decorations?
09:04What does that USB symbol really mean?
09:08I'm not sure I know the answers to these and similar questions,
09:12but I'm eager to learn the truth together with you.
09:15Let's find it out.
09:17Coca-Cola cans have a secret few people know about.
09:21Here's a Coke can.
09:22Let's submerge it in a highly corrosive alkaline solution.
09:26The aluminum dissolves due to a process known as hydrolysis,
09:30and we can see a plastic liner inside the can.
09:33It's made from a polymer or epoxy resin and serves as some kind of a protective barrier
09:38between the aluminum walls of the can and the rather acidic soda.
09:44Despite a popular myth, household batteries don't actually contain liquid,
09:48and if you accidentally cut them open, no toxic liquid will spill.
09:52Most of them are dry cell batteries which are made of electrochemical cells.
09:56Those convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
10:00Larger batteries often house numerous small cells within them too.
10:05Even Tesla vehicle batteries consist of multiple small cells.
10:09When combined, they easily provide the necessary voltage.
10:14Most toothbrushes have differently colored bristles, but they aren't just pleasing to the eye.
10:19Those bristles, often blue, have a functional purpose.
10:23They're called toothbrush indicators, and their colors fade as you use the brush.
10:27The American Dental Association recommends changing your toothbrush at least four times a year.
10:33And by getting paler, these bristles help you figure out when it's time to replace your toothbrush.
10:39You'll probably agree that there's no better snack than a pack of chips.
10:43Some are flat, others have ridges. Is it just aesthetics?
10:48Not really.
10:49The main purpose of those lines on some kinds of chips is to help with the distribution of spices and
10:54seasonings.
10:55In other words, all those substances that make your chips taste like cheese are mostly stored inside the lines.
11:01Plus, the lines make chips crunchier.
11:05Now, this one might be a surprise, but some breakfast cereals are magnetic.
11:10That's because they're often fortified with iron in the form of a fine powder.
11:15Due to the added iron, cereal flakes get attracted to magnets.
11:19All this may sound kinda alarming, but in reality, the iron content in the flakes is minimal,
11:24and doesn't pose any threat to your health.
11:27That clear fluid in gel pens is called the ink follower or stopper fluid.
11:32The gel in such pens contains pigment particles dissolved in a polymer solution.
11:37The main task of the stopper fluid is to be a barrier to prevent the gel from evaporating or leaking
11:42out.
11:43Without this transparent fluid, your gel pen wouldn't function.
11:48The fluid always stays in one position and doesn't get dissolved with the gel.
11:53Neither does it move backwards or flow out of the pen.
11:58Many pedestrian crosswalk buttons, namely in New York, are placebo buttons.
12:03They do literally nothing when you press them.
12:06Originally, they were functional after being introduced in 1964, but today, most of them don't affect traffic lights,
12:12which are programmed based on the real needs of the traffic flow.
12:16Why do such buttons even exist, then?
12:19It's a simple psychological trick, providing you with an illusion of control.
12:25You might have noticed that movie theater seats are almost always red.
12:29This choice isn't random. It has strategic importance, which is rooted in visual science.
12:35The thing is, red light has a longer wavelength.
12:38It means that it's the first color to disappear in low light.
12:41It allows the audience to concentrate better on the screen once the movie begins.
12:45Such a design choice enhances the viewing experience by minimizing distractions.
12:51Speed bumps are crucial for pedestrian safety.
12:54But at the same time, they can seriously increase car emissions due to the non-stop acceleration and deceleration they
13:02cause.
13:03To address this issue, some cities like London are testing fake speed bumps.
13:08Those are optical illusions painted on the road.
13:11They look raised from a driver's perspective, but in reality, they're flat.
13:16Authorities hope that this approach will slow down drivers without having a negative impact on the environment.
13:24Soda bottles are always filled in such a way that there's some space between the liquid and the cap.
13:29That's because soda contains carbon dioxide.
13:32It's a gas that can expand once the bottle's heated.
13:34If there's no gap in the bottle, it can break because of the pressure building inside.
13:40Also, when you open your drink, the gases go out in the form of bubbles, making the drink overflow.
13:46The gap helps with this problem too.
13:50The USB symbol.
13:52Looking like a trident has always sparked multiple speculations about its origin.
13:58One popular idea is that it represents Neptune's trident and symbolizes power and adaptability.
14:04But there's also a little bit less exciting theory.
14:07A man who claimed to have designed the symbol in the 1980s stated that it was supposed to represent connectivity.
14:14The large circle symbolizes a computer.
14:16While the attached shapes, the circle, the triangle and square stand for different outputs.
14:24The design of a tennis racket has a specific feature known as the throat.
14:28It's an open space below the head of the racket.
14:32This space isn't just for storing balls.
14:34It also improves the racket's aerodynamics by letting air pass through.
14:38It seriously reduces drag during swings.
14:43Speaking of tennis.
14:44Tennis courts are usually built with a north-south orientation.
14:48It helps minimize the impact of the sun's position during the game, ensuring that neither
14:53player has the sun directly in their eyes.
14:57Look closely at a tram's overhead lines and you'll see that its contact wires zigzag back and forth
15:03instead of going in a straight line.
15:05That's because all trams have pantographs attached to their roofs.
15:10The upper part of the pantograph is gradually worn down by the overhead wire and eventually needs to be replaced.
15:17To wear it down evenly, the wire is not installed strictly along the tram's path, but in zigzag patterns.
15:24As the tram moves, the pantograph slides along the wire and it wears down evenly.
15:31Those cone-shaped water cooler cups?
15:34Their shape is intentionally designed to prevent users from setting the cups down.
15:39This allows employees to minimize the risk of spilling water on their desks around various electronic devices.
15:45Plus, less material is used to produce cone-shaped cups, which makes the process less wasteful and more cost-effective.
15:53It also kind of supports sustainability by encouraging people to drink their water quickly
15:58and dispose of their cups immediately after.
16:02Most suitcases have two zipper pulls, and it serves several purposes.
16:08First of all, if one zipper fails, the other can keep the suitcase closed.
16:13Even better, having two zippers allows you to have easier access to small sections of your suitcase without having to
16:19open it entirely.
16:21And finally, when you have two zippers, you can connect them with a padlock for increased security.
16:29Some plastic milk containers have dents on their sides.
16:33These dents serve several purposes.
16:35When milk spoils, it usually causes swelling and high-pressure buildup inside the container.
16:41That's when the dent pops out and doesn't let the jug blow up.
16:44Plus, if you decide to freeze the milk, it will expand like any other fluid.
16:49And then again, the indentation will pop out and prevent the container from breaking inside your freezer.
16:58If you ever had a problem figuring out why fake pockets exist, you need to hear this.
17:03The main reason is that if a clothing item has a specific cut or shape, pockets may spoil it.
17:10They can alter the item's shape either in the warehouse or already on the retail rack.
17:15The solution? Getting rid of the pockets in key areas.
17:19Plus, fake pockets are obviously cheaper, and they don't get stretched out.
17:25The thermos wasn't actually invented to keep your coffee warm.
17:29It was made by a Scottish scientist who wanted a safe place to keep his chemicals at a stable temperature.
17:36So, he took two bottles, put the smaller one inside the bigger bottle, and vacuumed out the air between them.
17:45Have you ever wondered what these extra holes at the top of your running shoes are for?
17:50They're designed so that you can tie the shoes in multiple different ways.
17:54That's useful when you want to compensate for things such as a bad stride or even a damaged toe.
18:01Plus, you can change the look of your shoes the way you prefer.
18:07Many people use a dust jacket of their book as a bookmarker.
18:11No problem with that, it will save your book from bent page corners.
18:14But the primary purpose of a dust cover is to keep the book safe from distortions.
18:19For instance, if you spill juice or drop some of the food on your book while reading it.
18:26The tic-tac dispenser has this little groove on its top, so you can dispense only one tic-tac at
18:32a time.
18:32Even though, let's be honest here, nobody does that.
18:35Most of us just spill a whole bunch at once, and then we wiggle all those extra tic-tacs back
18:41in.
18:43The rubber bumps you see between the tire treads are there for your safety.
18:47The raised edges tell you what the minimum height of your tread is.
18:51If the bump and the edges are even, it's time for you to visit the tire shop as soon as
18:56possible.
18:57But if the bumps are well beneath the level of the edges, you're good to go.
19:03What about that black grating on the microwave window?
19:06It's something called a Faraday shield.
19:09And it's there to prevent microwaves from getting away and turning the entire room into a Faraday cage.
19:14If the microwaves escape, your meal won't cook properly either.
19:18So yep, the cage is not there to make it difficult for you to see your meal while it's cooking.
19:23It's keeping the electromagnetic energy inside.
19:28How about a wrench compatible screwdriver?
19:31Cover your screwdriver with the end of your wrench and you can increase its torque.
19:35That's why the head of your screwdriver is designed the way it is.
19:39When you have odd angles, you can use this strategy.
19:44You've probably heard those myths, the blue side of the eraser can erase the pen.
19:48False.
19:49Its purpose is to erase a pencil, but in case you're writing something on heavier paper.
19:55The blue side can remove smudges you see after using the pink eraser too.
20:01Have you ever wondered why oranges in supermarkets mostly come in the red mesh bag?
20:06It's a trick to make this food look more orange and encourage you to make a purchase.
20:11An extra tip, don't throw away the mesh bag.
20:14Tie it up so you can have a small pot scrubber to clean your sink, kitchen, appliances and dishes.
20:22You can see golf balls don't have a perfectly round shape.
20:26Their surface is covered with many little dimples, something golf balls didn't always have.
20:31At one point, experienced golfers started noticing how through time,
20:36older balls with imperfections such as nicks and bumps could travel further.
20:41Such things create turbulence in the air around the golf ball, which eventually reduces drag.
20:48So, manufacturers started producing balls with dimples so they could go farther and faster.
20:55You might have noticed that sometimes there are ridges in toothpick tops.
20:59It's more hygienic because when you break that off, you can prop the toothpick up on it and it won't
21:05touch anything.
21:08Another safety feature you'll find, this time in your car, is a tab on your rearview mirror.
21:14With it, you can change the position of the mirror so you don't get blinded if there's a car behind
21:19you with its high beams on.
21:21So, this little tab helps you control the glare of lights coming from behind.
21:25This feature showed up in the 1930s, but in the early 1970s, it became a part of standard equipment in
21:32most trucks and cars.
21:35Do you see that tiny hole on your iPhone right next to the rear-facing camera?
21:40It's a microphone, and it's there so your phone can record sound as you turn your camera around.
21:48Some cables have a thick cylinder towards the end of the cord.
21:51It's called a ferrite core or a choke.
21:54It's a magnetic iron oxide that stops high-frequency electromagnetic interference.
22:00For example, you know that annoying static noise you get if you bring your phone too close to a speaker?
22:06This interrupts your call, which is why cable cords with big cylinders are pretty useful because they prevent these things.
22:15Do you know why nearly all luggage bags and backpacks have two zippers?
22:19It's way more convenient and easier to open in that way.
22:23But not just that, you can also lock these two zippers together to keep the stuff inside your bags safer.
22:31You know how toilets at public spots like malls have those big gaps at the bottom?
22:36It's primarily for better circulation of air.
22:39This type of door also makes it easier to clean the toilet or check if it's occupied if you're standing
22:45in line.
22:46Other than that, if you get stuck there and the lock gets broken, you still have a way to escape.
22:52You can just crawl out.
22:55Ever notice those plastic end caps on utility knives?
22:59And they also have scales on them, which indicates you may use them multiple times but with sharp edges.
23:07You can separate the blades through these plastic end caps.
23:10Then, you can move the slider and bring the sharp blade to the front.
23:14If you've ever taken a moment to examine a regular grocery cart, especially their fold-out section,
23:20you probably noticed those metal loops jutting out.
23:24They're designed to protect the items you carry in your cart.
23:28You can use them to hang bags with soft items.
23:31You don't want to accidentally squish with heavier products like bread or easily breakable things like eggs.
23:40Many coffee mugs come with curved notches on their bottom.
23:43When you're washing your mugs, put them against the rack at an angle in your dishwasher.
23:48This way, the water won't pool in there, so your favorite cup will be completely dry by the time you
23:53take it out of the dishwasher.
23:56If you're a McFlurry fan, you've probably noticed there's a square hole in the handle of the spoon.
24:02It's there so you can attach it to the special machine that mixes the ice cream and your favorite toppings
24:07together.
24:08The machine has a bar that slips into this square-shaped spoon and then thoroughly stirs it.
24:14And you get the spoon so they can minimize the mess during the process.
24:19Quite neat, wouldn't you say?
24:22A regular milk jug has a dent on one side.
24:25Some might see it as a random design decision, but a dent has several purposes.
24:31One of them is to get bigger if there's a gas buildup.
24:34This happens when your milk is spoiled.
24:37So you don't even have to try to check this out.
24:40Also, the dent is there so the jug doesn't burst if you accidentally drop it.
24:45The dent allows the expansion space that deals with the sudden pressure that happens when you drop the jug.
24:52Dental floss.
24:53Sure, it's important for your dental health and it's easy to assume what you do with it.
24:58But dental floss is great in the kitchen as well because it's a very precise cake slicer.
25:04Way better than a regular knife.
25:08Most kitchen shears have a serrated opening right there at the center where the blades and handles meet.
25:15It's something you can use to trim difficult herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or chives.
25:20Because of this opening, you don't need to pick the leaves off by hand, but de-stem them in one
25:25motion.
25:28The majority of gelatin containers or single-serving yogurts come with a tin foil lid.
25:33And in most cases, you can use this covering as a disposable spoon.
25:38Just peel away the covering and after a couple of simple folds, you'll have a perfect little spoon for your
25:44midday snack.
25:46Well, it's a nice Sunday afternoon and you're shopping at your regular grocery store when you stumble upon a bloated
25:53package in the fresh produce aisle.
25:55If you check the product information, it seems well within its expiration date, then why the unusual shape, you may
26:02wonder?
26:03The answer is not always straightforward.
26:06For some types of fresh products, such as meat, fish, or seafood, sometimes even salads and cheese, scientists came up
26:13with something called MAP, or Modified Atmosphere Packaging.
26:17To ensure that these types of products with a relatively short shelf life stay fresh for as long as possible,
26:24a combination of gases is introduced in the packaging.
26:28It happens even before the product reaches your local grocery store.
26:31A French professor at the Montpelier School of Pharmacy stumbled upon this method after he noticed that fruits tend to
26:39stay fresh for longer periods of time in low-oxygen storage conditions.
26:43The types of gases in MAP packaging can vary from product to product, but the main idea is to replace
26:50or reduce the content of oxygen.
26:52It's generally replaced with either nitrogen or carbon dioxide.
26:56Keep in mind that just because a bloated bag of salad is within its expiration date, it doesn't mean it's
27:03always safe to eat.
27:04The gases inside the bag may very well be there for their own purpose, but they can also be a
27:10sign that the product is spoiled.
27:12That's why the best course of action when shopping would be to check if the product is not expired.
27:18If it's still within the date, check for any unusual odors or damage to the packaging.
27:23If something seems off, it's best not to risk it.
27:27You can reach out to any of the store staff if you have any questions or concerns.
27:31Most supermarkets these days have a layout which allows for a logical shopping order, like buying non-perishable items first,
27:39then adding refrigerated or frozen products.
27:42Fruits and vegetables should come last since you won't want them at the bottom of your shopping cart.
27:47Nobody likes a squished tomato.
27:49While I'm on the subject of fruits and veggies, try to get them earlier in the morning if possible.
27:56Veggies that have been sitting out all day may lose some of their shape and texture, while others may be
28:01a bit wilted away.
28:03Quick tip on waste management.
28:05Never buy more produce than you intend to use in a week.
28:08Most fruits and vegetables don't even last that long, so it's best not to give in to cravings.
28:14Shopping on a full stomach might help with that as well, just as much as going shopping with a pre
28:19-made list of things you need to buy.
28:22Thoroughly inspecting the package of every product might save you some hustle later as well.
28:28Refrigerated products need to feel cold to the touch, while frozen ones need to be solid and with no sign
28:34of leakage.
28:35When you get home, make sure you refrigerate all the necessary items as soon as possible.
28:41Generally, they shouldn't be out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.
28:44Otherwise, their quality won't stay the same.
28:47Buying potted herbs from the grocery store may not be the first thing on your list, but it's surely something
28:53to consider.
28:54Not only are they available for a fraction of the cost, but they're also easy to grow and take care
29:00of.
29:00Just picture a nice herb garden right there on your balcony or even in the kitchen.
29:05Wouldn't that be nice?
29:07You'll always have fresh basil to top a mouth-watering pasta dish.
29:11Since you're still at the grocery store, pick up some coffee filters while you're at it.
29:15You may not have a machine at home that actually uses filters, but there are a lot more things you
29:21can use them for around the house.
29:22They can be used for straining liquids, safely stacking delicate china in your cupboards, or even polishing windows, or shoes
29:30for that matter.
29:31If your favorite fruits and vegetables are on sale, but buying large quantities would mean they go to waste, consider
29:38freezing them.
29:39You can stock up on items for smoothies, especially for the colder season when there are limited options for fresh
29:45fruits.
29:46And don't just grab the first thing on the shelf, especially if it's likely to go bad quickly.
29:51Stores restock their produce following a first-in-first-out layup, so the items at the back of the shelf
29:58will always be a tad bit fresher.
30:00The same goes for tea if you prefer it to coffee.
30:03Switch to buying loose-leaf tea, and you'll not only reduce the cost, you'll also be able to make your
30:09own homemade tea blends.
30:11Loose-leaf tea also has a stronger flavor than tea sold in tea bags.
30:15As for the other household stuff, stock up on items such as light bulbs, paper towels, or batteries.
30:22Chances are you'll always be needing at least one of these items, so it's best to buy them in larger
30:27quantities when on sale.
30:29They never go to waste, and let's face it, it's always annoying when you run out of batteries at home
30:34and your TV remote stops working.
30:37Hey, tell me about it!
30:38Try to reduce the number of times you go to the grocery store to buy just one item.
30:43It's inefficient, and most likely, you'll end up buying things that you don't actually need.
30:48That shopping list starts to make a lot more sense now, doesn't it?
30:53Another list worth making, the one containing whatever you have in the fridge.
30:57Try to create such a list at least twice a week.
31:00Meal planning for at least a week in advance will also help you reduce impulse buying.
31:05If you already know what you'll want for dinner on Wednesday, why add anything else to the cart if it's
31:11unnecessary?
31:12At the same time, start getting creative with your leftovers.
31:16There's no need for them to go to waste when you can mix and match or add some additional herbs
31:21and flavors to spice them up.
31:23Store leftovers in transparent containers for added visibility, and don't be afraid to set out a leftover day during the
31:31week.
31:31It's also nice to look at them as ingredients rather than leftovers.
31:36Use extra leftover pasta or steamed vegetables for a frittata or an omelet.
31:42Blend together cooked vegetables with some tomatoes to create a pasta sauce.
31:46Put together some wraps for the next day's lunch with anything from leftover cooked rice to meat and vegetables.
31:52Or, if you're really looking for the easiest method to save leftovers, you can always turn them into soup.
31:59Last night's vegetable side dish can turn into a wholesome lunch if you simply add a can of broth and
32:05blend it all together.
32:07Even a two-day-old loaf of bread can be salvaged if you cut it diagonally, sprinkle the slices with
32:13some herbs and olive oil,
32:14and pop them in the oven for a couple of minutes.
32:17You'll then have yourself some nice homemade croutons for that previously mentioned soup.
32:22A little label know-how never hurt anyone either.
32:25Be on the lookout for ingredients you've never heard of or those you can't pronounce.
32:30An item that usually has more than five ingredients listed on the packaging should be avoided.
32:36Even the way you carry your groceries in the supermarket can affect how and what you buy.
32:41If you prefer baskets to shopping carts, you're more prone to impulse searches.
32:46That's with a study published by the Journal of Marketing Research claims.
32:50It happens due to the effort you put in actually carrying the items around.
32:55Choosing a shopping cart will most likely make you comfortable enough to browse through enough products and read labels thoroughly.
33:02When your grocery list is not too big, go for the self-checkout aisle if available.
33:08Studies have shown that impulse purchases are lowered by up to 32% if you actually scan your own items
33:14on the way out.
33:15That's because the regular checkout line is specially designed to keep you from letting go of any items you might
33:21have reconsidered buying.
33:23There's literally nowhere you can put down your undesired products outside of your grocery cart.
33:29And if there's anyone else waiting in line behind you, good luck sliding out.
33:33The food arrangement on the shelves can also pose a threat to both your budget and your habits.
33:39Since people are more inclined to buy the items they see first, the most expensive products are placed at eye
33:45level.
33:46And the budget options are placed on the top and bottom shelves.
33:50Take your time and scan your aisles of interest.
33:53You'll be surprised to see that most items placed on higher or lower shelves are often not only more cost
33:59-effective,
34:00but also less packed with additives or artificial flavor.
34:04Hey, be careful.
34:05It's a jungle in there.
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