Cooks on a budget can do more than rethink what they buy for dinner — they can think about using their kitchen more, and using it more wisely when they do. Here's how.

We drilled the experts to find out the best, safest and easiest ways to store our food. Understand the rules: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for three or four days, ...

3. Potatoes. Keep them in a dark and cool place, but don’t refrigerate. The cold, damp air in the refrigerator causes their starches to turn into sugars, which can affect taste and texture.

More information on preparing and storing food in a way that will help it last can be found here. Sarah D. Young Reporter and Editor. Sarah has been writing and editing for ConsumerAffairs since 2015.