I've finally cleared out my kitchen cupboards!!

Soapy955

I have been really fed up with my kitchen for ages. There's been so much stuff in the food cupboards that I bought thinking I'd use it and then didn't! So wasteful I know and not at all moneysaving but today I tackled it.

There was so much in there I could never find the stuff I actually DID need and all the cereal boxes had to sit on the counter as there was no room for them in the cupboards. Some things were best before 2008!! :eek:

I have binned two carrier bags of stuff and although that is so naughty of me it has totally energised me! I now have all the boxes and things that didn't fit in the cupboards put away and have enough room on my counter to now display my pretty cake storage tins. This will mean my homemade cakes and biscuits will now actually get eaten instead of being shoved up on top of the cupboards out of sight forgotten, and going mouldy!!

I vow to never buy anything on a whim again. At my age I should know what we like and what we eat and therefore will make sure not to waste my time and money buying stuff we won't eat again!!

Rainy-Days

I do my cupboards out about three times a year. I know that sounds allot but when I bulk buy and get in BOGOF's I make a point of rotating all my supplies bringing the old things to the front and putting the new stuff behind it. I have quite a bit of stock out in the garage, tins and jars mainly so I have to be careful on stock rotation and dates. The one thing i hate more than anything is running out of stuff but I also hate having to throw anything away as well.

Might be worth you taking a picture of your lovely tidy cupboards and keep it as a motivator to not get back to old habits again. When you have done it it feels good doesn't it, but even better is not having to chuck out things as well. You should be alright now!

raven83

i need to do this, but keep putting it off! maybe i will take some of your inspiration and get on the case!

Lazy_Liz

Hi, menu planning is the next step, then you only buy the things you need to fit your plan. Its also a good way to use up some items, make a list of things to use up and try and incorporate some in each weeks meals. I did this with my freezer, now its empty of junk and full of sensible things I can make meals outof plus some space for extra special offers opr bargins.r

Soapy955

Menu planning sounds a good idea.
We've been tackling the freezer trying to eat our way through the leftovers etc that have been frozen. Yesterday we used up a couple of half used bags of frozen mince, some frozen baked beans that had been left over, some mushrooms from the bottom of the fridge, some frozen peppers, some leftover kids' pasta shapes and some garlic bread and had a gorgeous bolognaise!!

We found a lovely farm shop near here that sells their own marmalade sausages which are gorgeous! Once we've used up our bag of Wall's we'll be getting those from now on!

I can't wait to get through all the bits and pieces that are in our freezer and then, like you say, meal plan so we have appetizing, delicious food in there that we know we'll eat! :j

valk_scot

I go through the larder and the freezer every three months or so. I pull out all the stuff that needs using up soonest and have a cheap week where I get inventive with my random collection of ingredients, lol. The family are okay with this, fortunately, and sometimes we end up with new family favourites. Sometimes not though!!

YORKSHIRELASS

Well done! I need to do this too. After my father-in-law died my MIL cleared out her kitchen cupboards and gave me a carrier bag full of tins of things that he liked. Most of these tins I knew I would never use but I didnt have the heart to say so!

Some of it we have now eaten but a year later there is quite a bit left. Everyone here hates tinned salmon and I have 3 tins of that. I cant even remember what the rest is but there is definitely some cans of carrots and peas that I really should use up.

I keep thinking I should just do what you have done and chuck out what we will never use. It just feels so wasteful though.

YORKSHIRELASS

Well done! I need to do this too. After my father-in-law died my MIL cleared out her kitchen cupboards and gave me a carrier bag full of tins of things that he liked. Most of these tins I knew I would never use but I didnt have the heart to say so!

Some of it we have now eaten but a year later there is quite a bit left. Everyone here hates tinned salmon and I have 3 tins of that. I cant even remember what the rest is but there is definitely some cans of carrots and peas that I really should use up.

I keep thinking I should just do what you have done and chuck out what we will never use. It just feels so wasteful though.

CH27

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

Well done! I need to do this too. After my father-in-law died my MIL cleared out her kitchen cupboards and gave me a carrier bag full of tins of things that he liked. Most of these tins I knew I would never use but I didnt have the heart to say so!

Some of it we have now eaten but a year later there is quite a bit left. Everyone here hates tinned salmon and I have 3 tins of that. I cant even remember what the rest is but there is definitely some cans of carrots and peas that I really should use up.

I keep thinking I should just do what you have done and chuck out what we will never use. It just feels so wasteful though.

Could you give it to your local homeless shelter?

sillyvixen

CH27 wrote: »

Could you give it to your local homeless shelter?

we did this when my grandfather died - his cupboards were filled we stuff we would never eat (tinned ham, tinned pies, tinned stewing stake, tinned custard,tinned potatos etc.) they were all in date but we were never going to use them - i took a big box down to the local community project and they were so greatful. i think my grandfather would have been happy they were used rather than cluttering up our cupboards.