If you have a 'stockpile'....

[mrsklamc]

Do you keep 'inventory' so to speak? Probably a few months ago I read a blogger that said she kept a list of everything in her pantry, fridge, and freezer. I thought that seemed extreme but we seem to keep missing an expiration date here and there and it makes me nuts! I work too hard to make the most of my budget to let that happen!

 

[LilyWDW]

Do you keep 'inventory' so to speak? Probably a few months ago I read a blogger that said she kept a list of everything in her pantry, fridge, and freezer. I thought that seemed extreme but we seem to keep missing an expiration date here and there and it makes me nuts! I work too hard to make the most of my budget to let that happen!

I currently do for the freezer and I plan on doing one for the pantry next time it gets a "deep cleaning". I actually do mine on the computer and then print off one copy to keep in the kitchen. As I use something, it gets crossed off. At the end of the week I update my computer one. This allows me to do my meal planning and grocery list on my computer without having to try and remember what is on the list.

 

[NYCDiane]

The only things I really "stockpile" are:

Toothpaste (will always have 6 - 10 tubes on hand)
Body Wash (4-8 bottles)
Shampoo/Conditioner (4-8 bottles each)
Deodorant (6-10 sticks)
Toothbrushes (however many I can get on sale or at Dollar Tree)

Dry goods (such as rice, rice mixes, pasta) various types, about 20 packages in total (of all types, not 20 pkgs each)

Canned veggies (a few cases when my store has a stock up sale)
Canned pasta (about 10-15 cans)

Other things like laundry detergent if it's on sale I'll buy a bunch of bottles to keep in the car for when I go to the laundromat.

Cat food. I'll always have 2 bags of dry on hand. For their wet food, I'll buy a lot when I have coupons and keep maybe 20 cans on hand.

I don't have much room since I live in a small apartment but I try to do the best I can!

 

[ilovemk76]

Do you keep 'inventory' so to speak? Probably a few months ago I read a blogger that said she kept a list of everything in her pantry, fridge, and freezer. I thought that seemed extreme but we seem to keep missing an expiration date here and there and it makes me nuts! I work too hard to make the most of my budget to let that happen!

I am not a stockpiler but I want to do this for the freezer. This way we know what is in there without opening it.

 

[charming23]

I keep a list of what we have in the deep freezer and cross off things when we use them. That way I know what needs to be replenished when I see it for a good price.

This fall I am going to do this with our pantry as well.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

I never thought of doing that for our extra freezer. I just defrosted it. Next time I will take inventory of my freezer and keep a list.

What a great idea!!

 

[runwad]

I need to make a list for what's in the freezer so DH on the odd times he comes home from work early can't say well I don't know what you have in there,( reason he can't do dinner)

 

[SamSam]

A list for the freezer is an excellent idea! I'm always trying to keep it 'in my head'...you know how that goes.

 

[lts862]

I just took inventory of my freezer in the garage because we were going through Hurricane Irene.....since I already have it completed, maybe I should keep up with it!

I really should keep inventory of my pantry. When I go to get something that I am "sure I have stocked up on", I never seem to have it there because I keep using and thinking I have "plenty" on hand!

 

[rackofelk]

I do, but it's very loose. I don't keep exact numbers, just a "we have this".
If a big sale turns up, I double check quantities then.

I would love to be detailed, but I know I won't keep up with it.

 

[pannm]

I keep inventory. I have a list on my fridge for my deep freezer and pantry. I have a different one for my deep freeze and fridge freezer, because I've organized my fridge freezer into my 'once a month cooking' meals that I've made up. I don't do too much of the OAMC, but usually make double or triple batches of things that freeze well and I can just take out of the freezer and bake or defrost and re-heat.

I write down numbers on my sheet on the fridge (if there's canned tomatoes on the list for example, I'd write how many I'd used that week)...then, I update my computer list every Sunday/Monday- before my shopping day Tuesday.

On the computer list, I have what the last price I paid for the items listed- that way if I notice a good sale and have coupons and see that I'm running low, I'll stock a few more of those items when I go shopping.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

I do for our health & beauty supplies. I should for our freezer and pantry.

I keep a small notebook in our linen closet and keep track of what I have in there as far as toothpaste, shampoo etc. When I take one out, I cross it off. Not rocket science by any means, but I always know if I need to buy my DH deodorant or a new kids' shampoo!

 

[crystaldawn]

I don't keep an inventory but I can "eyeball" what is on hand quickly. For example if I see that toothpaste will be free I check how many I have and see if I really "need" more. Otherwise I just watch til it's getting low (like 2-3 tubes) then start looking for a deal.

The freezer is a little different for me. I do keep an inventory but not really for stockpile purposes but rather so I know what is in there without digging. We were gifted an upright this spring and I was shocked at the things I found in the bottom of our chest freezer. Our upright is easier to organize but I still like to KNOW now what is floating around in there! I also do freezer meals in the winter. It really helps me to have those on my inventory so when I meal plan for the week I know what freezer meals I have to work with... again mostly so I'm not digging through the thing figuring it out.

 

[gr8tdame]

I don't really keep an inventory but I number my items with a magic marker. Let's say I buy 3 jars of peanut butter. On the top of the jars I write 1/3 ,2/3 and 3/3. When I am using jar 3/3 I know I am on my last jar and need to buy more.
Before I did this I would by stuff on sale because I thought I was running low and then I would have more items in my pantry than I could use up before their expiration date.
The opposite was also true. I would think I had extras in the pantry and run out of things.
I do this with toiletries as well.
My laundry det is kept on a shelf above my washer so I always know how much I have.
I also keep my freezer in order so that all items are stored together.
One shelf for chicken etc.

 

[buzz5985]

I have a computer program - Living Cookbook - that will keep track of your inventory for you. As you put recipes into your monthly calendar it will click off from the inventory and populate a shopping list.

Janis

 

[annsteere]

No way. I take a quick look when I'm adding new things.

If once in a great while I miss an expiration date I shrug it off. Like you, I hate to waste money. But, I save a LOT by buying on sale and if I make a mistake once in a great while, that's how it goes.

Missing an expiration date teaches me that the product is something we don't actually enjoy using/eating.

If it happens to you often, try adding new stuff behind older stuff so that things rotate automatically.