One of the biggest time and money savers in your home is chilling in your kitchen – the freezer. Freezing leftovers of large meals is nothing new, but there are many more things you can pop in your freezer to save for another time.

1. Butter and margarine can be frozen for up to three months.

2. You can store grated cheese in the freezer for up to four months. It’ll be good to add to dishes straight from the freezer.

3. Bananas go from ripe to rotten very quickly but bananas freeze very well. Frozen bananas make a great addition to smoothies. They can even be used to make healthier ice cream. Make sure to remove the skin before freezing.

4. Cake! Yes, you can freeze some of that birthday cake for the next time you’re craving something sweet. Some frostings like cream cheese and buttercream freeze well, steer clear of the freezer with anything heavy cream based as it will separate.

Chill the cake slices until solid before tightly wrapping them in plastic wrap to keep the frosting intact. Many baked goods such as brownies and cookies, do well in the freezer.

5. Most kinds of bread survive well in the freezer for up to three months. Sliced bread can be toasted from frozen.

6. Milk can be kept in the freezer for up to one month. Defrost in the fridge and shake well before using.

7. Don’t let fresh herbs moulder in the fridge. Chop the herbs, mix them with olive oil and pour into a freezer bag. Seal the bag partway, then carefully squeeze out excess air before sealing completely. Place the bag flat and spread out the herb mixture to a thin, even layer and place it in the freezer.

8. You can store extra cookie dough in the freezer or portion out the dough so you’re ready to go when the cookie baking mood strikes.

Sources: The Kitchn, Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, BBC Good Food