Tips for knowing when you need to re-stock on household essentials

MSE_James

I saw on Facebook recently a post where someone suggested buying three bottles of washing up liquid at a time (green, yellow and red) and always using them in that order, so you knew you needed to restock when you were on the red bottle.

I can't find the FB version now but here's the same idea on TikTok:


Source: https://www.tiktok.com/@claireholstead/video/7382635580812725537 

Do you have any similar habits that help you keep track of your stock of everyday essentials? 

JGB1955

I keep one spare of everything (flour, ketchup, salad cream, salt, pepper, sugar, etc etc) on the top  shelf of my larder.  When an item is moved 'down' to the 'currently-in-use' shelf, it's time to add a replacement to my shopping list.  No need for 3 bottles of anything - just one spare is enough.  It's possible to have too much of a stock pile and items can become, unnecessarily, out of date.

annieb64

That's what I do too, JGB1955. I only like the green washing up liquid so couldn't use the tik tok system and how would it work for things like flour?

p00hsticks

If it helps people then fine,  but it seems a bit OTT to me, and suggesting a solution to a problem that doesn't really exist.

It can take me months to get through a single bottle of washing up liquid, let alone three, and it's not that complicated to put another on the shopping list when there's only an inch or two left in the one I have. 
I really don't have the storage space to keep multiples of everything.  

shandyclover

I home I once visited had an entire shopping list on a clipboard in the kitchen, the idea was when anyone opened a new bottle/packet etc. they'd tick the item on the list - and that way the shopping list was generated.

MSE_James

Personally I use the Alexa shopping list synced to the AnyList app, shared with my wife.

If we're getting low on something, I just say 'Alexa, add <whatever> to my shopping list' and next time either of us are in the supermarket, there it is on the AnyList app. 

Phoenix72

I mean, opening the cupboard/fridge doors normally works for me.

maman

I'm an advocate for a store cupboard, if you have room and the funds , but mine is based as much on being mse as convenience.

First, it wouldn't be cost effective to have to buy something from the corner shop if I ran out of something essential. Then there are things I like to use but from shops I only visit occasionally. An example is wine stock cubes from Tesco or dishwasher products and cornichons from Lidl. I stock up on those because it wouldn't be sensible to drive there for a single item. Also, special offers like tins of pulses at 3 for £1 or similar or wine at 25%off 6 bottles! 🤣

Although I do rotate stock and check dates occasionally, the majority of store cupboard items are long life. 

subjecttocontract

We have a spare larder store where we stock 4-6 of most things. We shop once or twice a month to top up what we have used. We shop using Tesco click and collect and it saves last order/ usual orders/ everything ever ordered. It's easy, works for us and takes 10 minutes twice a month.

We buy in bulk if there is a special offer e.g. Last offer was on toilet rolls.....currently we have 7 x 24.

We buy freezer stuff from Iceland.....good selection, excellent prices, order online/ free next day delivery similar system to Tesco....last orders saved. Easy system takes 10 minutes.

Life is to short to spend loads of time and effort doing small shops.......we are fortunate to be able to get someone else to do it.

Sarahspangles

Phoenix72 said:

I mean, opening the cupboard/fridge doors normally works for me.

Same. I normally put store cupboard and freezer items in roughly the same place/order and rotate fridge contents so the shortest life items get used next. Running out of one thing is a good trigger to scan stores, make a list, shop.

StevieDavison

All seems a bit over the top for me, when something is running out I buy a new one.  But whatever system works for individuals I suppose