My family's meals were all planned ahead for the week and I was feeling quite organized. I made out the menu, put together the grocery list, and got my shopping all done in one trip. This week we were not going to waste any money on fast food or delivery meals. I was on a roll.
My bubble was burst, however, when I got home and started putting my groceries away. Lo and behold, I had purchased several items that I already had in my pantry. Now that wouldn't be a big problem except that I bought those items earlier at a great sale price and now have paid full price simply because I didn't remember I had them. Unnecessary pantry items purchased at full price. Ugh! Talk about wasting money.
So, starting today, I'm implementing a plan to organize and itemize my pantry so I never buy duplicates again at full price. To make it work for me, I'm going to set up 4 steps to follow. Here we go.
Step 1: Remove Everything From The Pantry. This will take a little time, so pick a day when you can dig in. Have a strong cup of tea or coffee, and begin. Pull all the food items, canned and dry, and check each one to see if they are damaged or expired. Throw out anything questionable. Now's your chance to wipe out the pantry and shelves.
Step 2: Mapping Your Pantry. This will take some organization, but it isn't difficult. You'll actually be sorting your food items into categories so that you can make an inventory of what you have. The basic items could be sorted into baking goods, soups, broth, canned diced tomatoes, canned tomato sauce, oils, barbeque sauces, crackers, dry snacks, canned snacks, rice, and so on. Then you'll need to do the same with your spices. This can be tedious, but start arranging your spices in alphabetical order so that you can check for duplicates. You'll be amazed how many duplicates you have. Again, check the expiration dates and throw out any spices that you know, or suspect, are old.
Step 3: Make A List Of Your Basic Items. Making a list of all your most used items may seem like a lot of work, but it will really be a useful tool. Once this "most used" item list is made, stick it on the pantry door. Now you can routinely update your items, keeping a tally of items as you buy them and use them. (Highlight them when they get low and cross them off once you run out.) A very simple grid type paper will be easy for the entire family to follow. Just some rows and columns, and you'll have a handle on everything that is in your pantry. This is very simple once you start using it.
Step 4: Shop For Pantry Items Using Your List. Now when you make your grocery list for the week's meals, refer to your list and you'll know what you have and what you need. One exception to this is when you find a food item on sale that's on your "basics" list, items like diced tomatoes or chicken broth. These items are always welcome in my pantry, but only at a reduced price.
I love looking in my pantry and knowing that all my basic items were purchased at a special sale price. That doesn't happen if I keep buying something at full price because I forgot I already had some on hand. Now that I have all my pantry items identified and accounted for, I can check my basic list before I go to the store and eliminate all those extra full price purchases.
My bubble was burst, however, when I got home and started putting my groceries away. Lo and behold, I had purchased several items that I already had in my pantry. Now that wouldn't be a big problem except that I bought those items earlier at a great sale price and now have paid full price simply because I didn't remember I had them. Unnecessary pantry items purchased at full price. Ugh! Talk about wasting money.
So, starting today, I'm implementing a plan to organize and itemize my pantry so I never buy duplicates again at full price. To make it work for me, I'm going to set up 4 steps to follow. Here we go.
Step 1: Remove Everything From The Pantry. This will take a little time, so pick a day when you can dig in. Have a strong cup of tea or coffee, and begin. Pull all the food items, canned and dry, and check each one to see if they are damaged or expired. Throw out anything questionable. Now's your chance to wipe out the pantry and shelves.
Step 2: Mapping Your Pantry. This will take some organization, but it isn't difficult. You'll actually be sorting your food items into categories so that you can make an inventory of what you have. The basic items could be sorted into baking goods, soups, broth, canned diced tomatoes, canned tomato sauce, oils, barbeque sauces, crackers, dry snacks, canned snacks, rice, and so on. Then you'll need to do the same with your spices. This can be tedious, but start arranging your spices in alphabetical order so that you can check for duplicates. You'll be amazed how many duplicates you have. Again, check the expiration dates and throw out any spices that you know, or suspect, are old.
Step 3: Make A List Of Your Basic Items. Making a list of all your most used items may seem like a lot of work, but it will really be a useful tool. Once this "most used" item list is made, stick it on the pantry door. Now you can routinely update your items, keeping a tally of items as you buy them and use them. (Highlight them when they get low and cross them off once you run out.) A very simple grid type paper will be easy for the entire family to follow. Just some rows and columns, and you'll have a handle on everything that is in your pantry. This is very simple once you start using it.
Step 4: Shop For Pantry Items Using Your List. Now when you make your grocery list for the week's meals, refer to your list and you'll know what you have and what you need. One exception to this is when you find a food item on sale that's on your "basics" list, items like diced tomatoes or chicken broth. These items are always welcome in my pantry, but only at a reduced price.
I love looking in my pantry and knowing that all my basic items were purchased at a special sale price. That doesn't happen if I keep buying something at full price because I forgot I already had some on hand. Now that I have all my pantry items identified and accounted for, I can check my basic list before I go to the store and eliminate all those extra full price purchases.
About the Author:
Nicole Dean is the mostly-sane mom and owner of ShowMomtheMoney.com - a fun and informative site to help moms achieve success working from home. She welcomes you to learn more ways to save money in her Kitchen Organization section. Be sure to sign up for her free tutorial for work at home moms.
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