Stock up vs Use up?

Shortie

At the moment I'm starting to build up my store cupboard for winter, like many people, with things like porridge, tinned tomatoes... but then I suddenly have the urge to use up the stuff in my freezer to have a restock for Christmas....

Does anyone else ever do this really contradicting thing or is it just me being odd? :rotfl:

trying-very-trying

Oh, I'm fairly well stocked up, but I do have to clear a lot of space in my freezer for the rtc's on christmas eve.

pigpen

I have 2 stashes.. I have my christmas bits.. tins of biscuits/treats which are locked in a chest in my bedroom.. and the store cupboard stash.. porridge, pulses, beans, tins and packets... if I can save myself a trip out in the rain and cold and snow I will!!!

Other than the treats bought through sept/oct/nov I only do a 'regular' shop for christmas.. let's face it the shops are closed for 1 day!!!

oliveoyl

I wish I could use up... I seem to have some form of OCD which makes me keep buying food. If all of the shops closed tomorrow I could probably survive for 6 months quite ridiculous!

Shortie

Absolutely PigPen, never understood why people go potty fwith basics for one day..

Soory I meant stocking up for Christmas as in nice nibbles for the day, a couple of nice bits of meat.... not 5 loaves and 12 pints of milk to cover boxing day, lol! :rotfl:

Olliebeak

I've got space for a turkey (or whatever) - and will be checking out the shops over the next few weeks to work out what I want.

ZoeGirl_3

I think if all you ever did was stock up food would be out of control lol

There is only so much room/ food storage.

Stocking up is great, but unless you are actually using up those 30 tins of pickled mushrooms then whats the point?

I was a stock up queen for years, and only recently have been working on being a use it up queen. :A

The two can go hand in hand, someone has to control that freezer, or the door would never shut and that is not very OS :rotfl:

whatatwit

I think it's an idea to do a list of what is in stock...then you can see where the surplus is...did I really need 5 tins of sardines whrn I can't remember the last time we ate sardines

It is a lovely feeling if you can just buy milk and fruit for a couple of weeks and eat from stock.

2boysmum

I am nearly finished using up the contents of my freezer, not much left. Hubby will be pleased as I won't be feeding him Ice Lollies anymore, they are finished now. All thats left is a few pies and some homemade soup for hubbys lunches for work

D&DD

I think the key is to strike a balance between having a bit of surplus (as Pigpen says in case of bad weather/illness etc and not being able to get out to the shops) and making good use of what you have in already

You also have to assess how things best work for YOU and YOUR family...for example I can't just run to the shop for a few bits due to our circumstances so have to have 'stuff' in at all times as a matter of course.Also due to our financial situation if we have any 'blips':eek: I can't always afford a shop each week so need to have spares..
I do have a large store of food BUT this has been built up over a long time and always using special offers BOGOFS etc so it hasn't cost me and it does save us a lot of money shopping like this
I tend to replace anything I use if it is something we use all the time and the key to success is only buy what you know you will use or it can get out of hand!!! I rotate my food and always put new stuff at the back and it works for us..as I say each to their own you need to do what feels comfortable for you

donnajt

I'm rubbish at shopping - i hoard food as if i have to hibernate for 12 months at a time - take last week, i did a store inventory - had enough food to last at least a month - did my weekly shop on line £29.31 and somehow over the next 6 days spent another £115 - ridiculous...i am determined to beat my addiction of supermarkets - this week i have only spent £27.50 - i will need to buy bread, milk and strawberies on sunday but i am only going to take £6 in cash (no other money/cards) to Mr T, is there such thing as a grocery-a-holic club?