Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Well Stocked Or Just Plain Cluttered?



A well stocked freezer, pantry and cupboards or a stockpile of often used items found on sale seems like a great idea and then at other times I find it more likened to a great big mess.  In theory, I can argue the “what if” scenario until the cows come home but the reality is I tend to overbuy food and it begins to take over my kitchen.  Other parts of the house too. 

Currently my kitchen is stuffed to the gills.  The pantry is completely full as are two additional cupboards over the stove.  I have canned goods stacked in my bedroom closet, mainly peaches, pears and jam.  The refrigerator and freezer is also full and I still have a sugar pumpkin waiting to be turned into puree sitting on the floor. 

I designate a significant portion of my garage to food storage as well.  We have an additional refrigerator and a small upright freezer, both fully stocked.  Mostly frozen meats, juice and dairy items in the freezers plus flour, onions, potatoes and other miscellaneous items in the refrigerator.

If I am guilty of any type of hoarding tendencies I would have to say it is with food.  I’m not entirely sure why that is because I don’t ever recall a time in my life going hungry.  Right now I have the feeling of being completely overwhelmed by, of all things, food. 

For a family of three I think we currently have way too much food in this house.  With the way I grocery shop, if I don’t do something, I am just going to keep adding more and more and eventually things are going to get wasted due to freezer burn or expiration.  I tend to focus a lot on not wasting perishable items but canned and frozen foods can easily be overlooked. 

Over the next few months we’ll be eating down the pantry, so to speak.  I plan to use up and rotate older items and pare down the grocery shopping in the interim.  Yes, I will probably have to let some of those screaming good deals go by the wayside. 

I also plan to make a complete pass through the kitchen once again to see if there are additional kitchen items I can purge and sell either online or in a yard sale, or just give away. 

Do you tend to overdo it in the grocery purchases at your house?  Is there one thing in particular you tend to overstock?

7 comments:

  1. Easy to over do it isn't it?

    K

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  2. I recently found your blog & really enjoy it.
    I have the same problem! There is just 2 of us & I have way too much grocery items as I can't pass up the deals! Also like having plenty on hand for leaner times.

    Rhonda

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    1. Rhonda

      So glad you found the blog and enjoy it. I agree with you on having stuff on hand for leaner times. I just have to find that happy medium. Enjoy your day! :)

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  3. I am alone and do this also. Just in case something happens, I like to know I don't have to worry about food for awhile.....or garbage bags and TP!

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    1. Oh yeah, I'm big on the TP too. My recent thing has been toothpaste. I'm pretty sure I have a 2 year supply right now. Sheesh!

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  4. Hi, I also have a few too many canned goods, pastas, and jars of spaghetti sauce around here so this is what I've began to do. When something goes on sale and I know that I already have plenty I don't buy more UNLESS it's something at the lowest price that the grocery store will sell it. Then I just buy one or two and that's it. In the meantime I give canned goods, pastas, and spaghetti sauces to my daughter who I know can use them. I've also started making sure that I use up the food that we have here which in turn saves on the grocery bill which is a plus. Trying to decide if 5 of each item would be enough during the Spring, Summer, and Fall? In the Winter I like to keep a little extra because of the bad weather and the electricity goes off sometimes.

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