[HardworkinMom]

Do you sometimes buy an item and find out that you still have an unopened bottle or two in your pantry? I have done that so many times that I figured it was time to do something about it so as not to waste money.

I bought a small whiteboard and marker that I hang outside the pantry door. When I run out of something...I just write what I ran out of and when I ran out of it. Come time to go to the supermarket, I just write down the items I wrote on the board. I do not have to open the pantry anymore. As soon as I get back from the grocery and put the items I bought... I erase with each item I place inside the pantry.

[HardworkinMom]

Also....if you are like me and have several bottles and boxes of the same stuff.... arrange them according to the expiry dates.... the bottles/boxes with the earlier dates at the front.

[hrv0323]

1. Empty cabinet in piles of “like” items, such as pastas, baking supplies, cereal, and spices.
2. Check products’ expiration dates and discard any stale products.
3. Take inventory of the remaining items to eliminate buying ingredients that are already there.
4. Transfer contents of opened boxes or bags of food to clear, airtight food storage containers or canisters. The containers will keep the food fresh longer, and their clear sides enable you to monitor how much of each item is left.
5. Return the items to the cabinet, keeping “like” items together, and making space for new groceries as well.

[tater03]

I do that also. It makes it so easy when you are ready to go to the store to know exactly what it is you need. I am terrible about the expiration dates though. I try to go through them from time to time.