Home

[flickerbulb]

@homedecor1

Once they opened an Aldi store in my area, I was taken in by inexpensive baking items. I figured they were cheap so I would buy more than one.

I have not been in Aldi in a few months, so that helps a lot!

[Katcat1]

I wish I had a pantry to clean!   I have to use cabinet space which I hate because there are not that many cabinets.  That is life in an apt.  

[flickerbulb]

@Q4u

I kept some items that were expired but are still good. The mixes still taste good with fresh eggs!

[homedecor1]

@flickerbulb

never been to Aldis but I used to get carried away on the BOGOs at Publix....until I realized I only needed one YET paying for 2!!!

Dont ask me why I never thought about it until started shopping at our WM for food staples.  

[Desert Lily]

Like @homedecor1 , I purge my pantry (and my freezer) twice per year. But, I do it in May - before summer - and in November - before Thanksgiving. I throw any and all unused baking items out and start fresh. If something doesn't have an expiration date beyond my next purge date, I  throw it out. I rotate items by putting the things I buy new in the back and use the oldest first. Having a child come home from college encouraged me to do this process. I've learned to buy less, and that took a while.

[homedecor1]

@flickerbulb

fyi: just letting you know you've inspired me from reading your post - tackle my walk-in closet.

Its the only large closet I have & it's used as a linen closet, kitchen stuff overflow & more😳🙄 - I have decided out with the excess stuff....including shoes!!!

oh I'm going to be in there for hours....and I bet I surpass your 5 garbage bags!!! Lol

[Mominohio]

---

@AuntG wrote:

My pantry is a kitchen cupboard so I can't picture that much food being tossed out.  Now for a confession; I'll use expired mixes for our own personal use. Found some unopened pancake mix that I will use. I prefer to make pancakes from scratch, but I'm not going to waste that mix.

---

People get too crazy about expiration dates. I will admit that cake mixes and the like don't perform very well if they are more than a couple of months past their date, they don't seem to rise well. 

We eat 'expired' food. Especially commercially canned products. I'd never feed them to guests, and I try not to go over a year or two (and it isn't something we have a lot of, just a few things now and then that get overlooked). 

It makes me sick to waste food. I know there are so many people in the world who are hungry (or starving) every day. I try to be mindful of rotating and using what we have, or give it to a pantry if it is not going to get used before it's date.

But it is a great feeling to get the cupboards organized and cleaned!

[Mominohio]

---

@flickerbulb wrote:

@ID2

It is now up to 5 bags! I admit I was slacking on the pantry maintenance!

My mother died and I had to empty her house and get it ready to sell all by myself. Then the hot water heater exploded and I had to complete remediation on the damage which took me several months.

I also work full time and was finishing a master's degree.

Guess I wasn't paying much attention to those pantry item dates!

My bad!

---

Sounds like your plate was full (pun intended). Don't beat yourself up! You'll do better with it as it has made an impact.

[NYC Susan]

I moved a few months ago (major downsize), and I threw away so much stuff I couldn't believe it.  I've downsized before, but it still was a shock.  And a lot of work!

From now on - once a year  - I'm going to pretend that I'm moving, and go through everything:  food, shoes, clothing, books, absolutely everything.  It's not only a practical thing to do, but also a very liberating feeling.  :-)

[on the bay]

I've always thought it difficult to really clean out, unless I am moving.

I've downsized a lot and moved a lot but I know I have things now that I would probably get rid of if I was moving.

I still like them enough to keep them right now.I try not to get many new things at all, in all categories and that cuts down on stuff for sure.

Congratulations @NYC Susan on your cleaning out!