Do you have a hard time food shopping? Don't worry, you're not alone. It's hard to plan ahead and food shop for for just yourself, or even for a family on top of everything else you have to do. Oftentimes, you end up buying too much and you end up throwing out a ton of food (along with your hard earned money)! Today, we'll share common foods, how long they keep, plus a little secret for simple food storage. It'll help you plan better! Read on.

Tomatoes should be kept on a counter-top in a vented container for 5 days.

Avocados on a counter-top are fresh for 4 days once they're ripe. If you use up just a half, squeeze lemon juice on the flesh, and wrap it up in plastic and store it in the fridge. Be sure to use it within one day!

Unwrapped, whole garlic can be stashed in a dark pantry for up to two months.

Ground coffee and coffee beans should be shelved in an airtight container and kept away from light, heat, and moisture.

Potatoes are surprising! We've always just tossed them in the fridge, but they should be kept in a dark pantry, stored in a paper bag for one to two months.

Whole, unwrapped onions are stored unwrapped in a dark pantry for one to two months. Once halved, it should be kept in baggie in a drawer in the fridge for 3 to five days.

Bread can be stored in the freezer for up to three months if you like to buy in bulk. Once you start to use it, store it in a sealed bag, cut-side down for three days on your counter-top. (Use those tomatoes and avocados to make a delicious veggie sandwich!)

Fresh basil is kept with stems in water, lightly covered in plastic, on a counter top for up to a week.

Bananas should be kept on the counter top for 5 days. Ripe bananas can be frozen for baking (banana bread, anyone?). To keep your bananas fresher longer, give Happy Bananas a try. Happy Bananas keeps bananas at the perfect ripeness, for up to two weeks!

Did any of these foods surprise you? We hope your next grocery shop is a bit easier!