I'm not sure how this problem came to be exactly but a problem none the less. I consider myself a good bargain shopper and nothing I like more than getting a "deal" on something. In fact, I never buy anything for full price. NEVER! Especially groceries. Groceries go on sale regularly but it is cyclical. So for that reason, I buy more than just what I need so I have it on hand when I need it again and don't have to pay full price. I have always shopped this way. It has always worked for me but sometimes I get so disorganized I don't know what I have on hand and buy even more.
We are pinching pennies right now with me being laid off ......again. So I decided to start using up our excess and plan my menu for the week around what we already have. Great idea right?
To do that I needed to know what I have...so I did an inventory. OMYGOSH!
Can you say excess?
Oh I have the staples like this
But how much tea does one need? That whole lower shelf is all tea! (kool aid is in the green container)
Some of the excess:- 26 individual bags of microwave popcorn
- 24 boxes of jello gelatin
- 10 boxes of jello pudding
- 13 boxes of rice mixes
- 24 packets of dry soup envelopes (like onion and vegetable mostly used for dips)
We have two large red racks with food. This is the first one:- 4 boxes graham crackers
- 3 boxes Bisquick
- 12 cake mixes
- 9 cans of frosting
- 4 boxes brownie mix (there would be more but we make these a lot)
We have- 8 jars BBQ sauce
- 6 enchilada sauce
- 8 gravy
- 6 Alfredo sauce
- 20 cans tomatoes
12 cans fruit- 15 cans tuna
- 8 mushrooms
- etc, etc
- 6 jars peanut butter
- 8 jars jelly and preserves
- 64 boxes of pasta (lots of variety)
WHY do I need 10 bottles of dish soap?
My freezer is the same way. I figure with the exception of fresh produce and some meats we can last for months without spending too much on food. This should get us through the lean months ahead. That is the plan anyway!In the mean time I have spent a lot of time deciding on my menu for the next month and enjoying it. Mark thinks I'm a bit nuts but that is ok with me.
4 comments:
Diana I don't think you're a hoarder..... just a good shopper taking advantage of the specials, especially if you don't buy things that will expire or get old before using. What you're doing now is the reason you purchased them in the first place. they are there if you need them and with being laid off that's a good a reason as any. I always used to shop this way until we moved into a townhouse where there just isn't the luxury of having enough extra storage. diane
I don't think you are a hoarder at all. I'm a mega couponer and it just doesn't make sense to pay full price for groceries or anything else for that matter. Hope you find employment soon but it looks like we don't have to worry about you haveing plenty to eat for awhile.
Your in the shop and stock wisely club...my pantry always lookd like your garage. Even now with just 2 of us it's a mini version just the same. I know for sure there are 8 can's of coffee, 17 can's of soup, 8 jars spag.sauce...etc. So you see it pays to be in the club especially when we're unemployed.
Have fun with the menu...you'll have to let us in on what you decide. :)
Hoarder??? I don't think so. Smart shopper?? Oh Yeah! Why would you even think of paying full price for anything? Your menu is going to be so much fun! I had to enlarge your photos so I could see what you have and I don't. :)
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