I am a tad embarrassed that here is the end of the month and I am just putting up July’s Simple Budgeting series post but life has been crazy. At any rate, here it is!
Last month, I wrote about Knowing What You Have. I gave the example of our pantry clean out and organizing effort. This month, I am going to take that one step further and suggest that you Use What You Have. I know you are thinking that isn’t a novel concept or even a bright idea but think about what you have in area of your life … your pantry, your closet, your shoe organizer, your cleaning supplies, your garage (ACK!) … I could go on and on. Do you really use what you have or do you buy because items are on sale?
Last year, I went over the top with couponing and sale matching. We ended up with a huge stock pile in our garage pantry, our kitchen pantry, and every other storage area I had. It took a comment from husband that we don’t six packages of toilet paper hanging out in the garage for me to take that step back and say, we need to use what we have. So we now have limited areas where items go and what fits in that area is what I keep on hand. Six huge packages of toilet paper aren’t need on hand at all times. Yes, there is a sale this week but my toilet paper area is full so I pass on it.
I have seen a lot of challenges about cooking out of your pantry and freezer for a week … a month … however long they are. Maybe this idea is for you? This week we skipped the grocery store after coming home from our super short beach trip and have eaten out of our pantry and freezer. And you know what, they aren’t empty yet!!
So as we go into August, I challenge you to Use What You Have. Pick an area to try this in your life. Maybe it is your pantry … your clothes … your garage … everyone has some area they do this. If you realize you have items you don’t use or don’t need, donate them. Someone else will more than likely accept them with open arms!! If you get a chance to do this, let me know.
If anyone is interested in a pantry or freezer challenge, let me know and I will work towards hosting one here and begging my cooking husband for some of his recipes! (He does love a good challenge but I need to come from YOU not me! 😉 )
Hope to hear from some of you soon!!
I really wish I had storage to really stockpile on good deals!
Love to hear some good recipes, I am a lousy planner for meals and shopping. This month I did make an effort and try not to shop for the whole month.
I noticed I have more pantry and freezer space by doing this. With an extra family living with us i was trying to make sure we didn't run out of anything, but I just ended up clutter things instead.
I think I need to use/purge/organize my room…then maybe I could see the floor. =)
Another wonderful post. I am guilty of doing the same thing. It's really addictive to want to catch all the deals. But If were spending constantly and replenishing more than we are using well where's the savings in that?
Hugs…Tracy 🙂
Just posted on use what you have. You are right on the mark there.
Thanks for another entry…Tracy 🙂
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Spot on! This is something we are mindful of at home, thanks!
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We have been using what we have out of total necessity the past three weeks, as my husband is out of work. Suddenly that huge stockpile I had, was even more awesome than it was before. We've been eating meat out of the freezer, and using up pasta and canned veggies, and we are well stocked on toilet paper and laundry detergent.
A stockpile is sooo useful, especially when you don't have the money to spend, but it is only useful if you USE it. 🙂
i totally agree I use everything i havedown to the last drop it drives mecazy when my brother frivolously buys more of osmething we already ahev a ton of
With times so tight, "Use What You Have" has become a way of life. When I found 5 unopened bottles of shampoo in my bathroom cupboard, and three LARGE bottle of the same BBQ sauce in the kitchen, I knew I had to make a change.
I fell in love with the couponing game earlier this year and I think I have reached the stock pile point. Now I know exactly what I need and how much my house can hold. I did not grocery shop this week and we are fine. If things still look good at the end of the week I may not shop then either. Thanks for the post!
I really loved your concept Use What You Have.This is a great way to save and still make your house look good with What You Have.
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I very often go digging around in my pantry to use what I have and have been eating out of my freezer also. I try not to keep more than a few days frozen food because I live in Hurricane country and once had to toss a whole freezer full (and refrigerator full)of food. I still need to work on the pantry thing though from last month's post.
My husband is the stockpiler and his two favorite items are paper towels and toilet tissue. I used to question his needing to buy so much at one time, but now that he's deployed, I'm seeing some logic to it because I constantly have to run out and buy more. I may have to start myself.
I am guilty as charged for stockpiling. I just discovered that we had 6 bottles of shampoo bought over the last couple of years. They get shoved behind other things and you think you are about out.
We have a moratorium on shampoo, paper towells and toilet tissue until it is almost used up!