Sadly, food and other goods all eventually expire. Well, except maybe Twinkies....
Because of this, it is vital that we look through the dates on our stockpiled goods regularly and make sure to use them before they go bad. There are many different systems you can use to keep track. I find it easiest to just follow the example of grocery stores and always move the old stuff to the front when I being in new inventory.
A good way to avoid losing money on rotten or expired goods is to not buy things you won't use. For instance, you will not find wheat in my storage. I do not own a wheat grinder nor the desire, at this point, to grind wheat. Instead, I fill my shelves with items we use on a regular basis; canned food (no peas), noodles, rice, spaghetti sauce, etc. When you only buy items that you use often, you'll find it is really easy to cycle through your food and not have to worry so much about expiration dates.
Here are just a couple of tips to managing your food storage/stockpile:
--Be organized! Have a place for everything and keep like items together.
--Replace used product in 30 days or less. Most items in the grocery store will go on sale at least once every 1-2 months, giving you the chance to restock at a good price. Replacing your items quickly will help you avoid last minute trips to the grocery store to grab a can of evaporated milk. We all know that it is highly unlikely that you will leave the store with just your can of milk! And if you aren't stocking up during the monthly sales, you are paying full price for that can of milk. No no!!
--Find your system for rotating inventory and keeping track of dates. Google and YouTube are great resources for finding myriad methods! Just work at it till you find what's best for you and then be consistent. Go ahead and mark dates on your calendar, months in advance of when it is time to cycle through certain items, if they are still on hand. Or maybe you'll do a once a month inventory of dates. Mark it on your calendar so you don't forget!
--Ways to use those foods/products that are nearing their exp date:
Have a picnic! This is a great opportunity to get the creative juices flowing! What can you make with a can of applesauce, 2 cups of flour, a bag of beans, and some tomato soup?! Exciting eh?!?!
Send the food in your spouse's lunch box. Make sure they have a can opener!
Donate to your local food bank or Bishop's storehouse. Just make sure they know that the items are nearing expiration.
Again, if you only buy things you like and will use, you won't have to worry about how lentils and sweet potato will go together! :)
Keep up with your expiration dates! Wasted food is wasted money!
Because of this, it is vital that we look through the dates on our stockpiled goods regularly and make sure to use them before they go bad. There are many different systems you can use to keep track. I find it easiest to just follow the example of grocery stores and always move the old stuff to the front when I being in new inventory.
A good way to avoid losing money on rotten or expired goods is to not buy things you won't use. For instance, you will not find wheat in my storage. I do not own a wheat grinder nor the desire, at this point, to grind wheat. Instead, I fill my shelves with items we use on a regular basis; canned food (no peas), noodles, rice, spaghetti sauce, etc. When you only buy items that you use often, you'll find it is really easy to cycle through your food and not have to worry so much about expiration dates.
Here are just a couple of tips to managing your food storage/stockpile:
--Be organized! Have a place for everything and keep like items together.
--Replace used product in 30 days or less. Most items in the grocery store will go on sale at least once every 1-2 months, giving you the chance to restock at a good price. Replacing your items quickly will help you avoid last minute trips to the grocery store to grab a can of evaporated milk. We all know that it is highly unlikely that you will leave the store with just your can of milk! And if you aren't stocking up during the monthly sales, you are paying full price for that can of milk. No no!!
--Find your system for rotating inventory and keeping track of dates. Google and YouTube are great resources for finding myriad methods! Just work at it till you find what's best for you and then be consistent. Go ahead and mark dates on your calendar, months in advance of when it is time to cycle through certain items, if they are still on hand. Or maybe you'll do a once a month inventory of dates. Mark it on your calendar so you don't forget!
--Ways to use those foods/products that are nearing their exp date:
Have a picnic! This is a great opportunity to get the creative juices flowing! What can you make with a can of applesauce, 2 cups of flour, a bag of beans, and some tomato soup?! Exciting eh?!?!
Send the food in your spouse's lunch box. Make sure they have a can opener!
Donate to your local food bank or Bishop's storehouse. Just make sure they know that the items are nearing expiration.
Again, if you only buy things you like and will use, you won't have to worry about how lentils and sweet potato will go together! :)
Keep up with your expiration dates! Wasted food is wasted money!
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