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

Sea_Shell

shandyclover said:

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.

We do this.  We have preprinted lists of our most often bought groceries, and tick what we need.

It's in "walk round the shop" order too 😉😇

PollyWollyDoodle

Keep a list!  I have a chalkboard in the kitchen, when something is nearing it's end/runs out, I write it on there and buy another one next time I go shopping.  Why overthink it. 

Brie

Every morning after breakfast (if I'm not going to work early) I do a sudoku and then when it's finished I turn it over and think if we need anything, ask the OH as well.  If there's not a lot on the list it gets left on the table.  If there's some essentials urgently needed it goes in my pocket or goes with me to my desk where I might think of a few more things to add.  

Now i'm going to have to add Tesco's wine stock cubes thanks to @maman !!!

joedenise

Morrisons also do the wine stock pots but ours unfortunately doesn't always have them in stock!

I keep a shopping list on my phone and whenever I think of anything I just add it and if DH notices something needs topping up he'll pick up my phone and add things to the list.

subjecttocontract

There's a lot to be said for retaining a housekeeper.......

Mnoee

I do supermarket deliveries, so that's my list. There's a base of fresh things I get weekly, then it's just topped up with things as and when I realise I need them. Occasionally if I'm mid-cooking and don't want to get the app open I'll ask alexa to remind me later, though I've finally got my partner to use the supermarket apps too, so I can now ask him instead! I also give the fridge a wipe out the day before my deliveries, so I can double check what's there. 

As deliveries can be somewhat unreliable, I also keep a spare in stock for most long life things - if nothing else it means I can wait for an offer to come along for the few branded bits I like.

I also have a giant chalkboard sticker on the side of my fridge, but that's strictly for doodling on while waiting for things to cook. They're good as a concept though, and could equally be used for lists! 

YoungBlueEyes

subjecttocontract said:

There's a lot to be said for retaining a housekeeper.......

Very true, they keep the rest of the staff in check.

Except the butler, who's above such nonsense.

subjecttocontract

Don't be ridiculous, nobody has bothered with a butler since the 1930s although it's been suggested that some Royals still retain one (presumably at our expense).
Housekeepers are now quite common, sometimes called PA's. They often do anything and everything that their employer can't be bothered to do.

Floss

subjecttocontract said:

There's a lot to be said for retaining a housekeeper.......

I divorced mine after he began housekeeping somewhere else...

PipneyJane

I have a pantry in the kitchen and “deep storage”, elsewhere.  Having “one in use and one in storage” works for me.  It’s the “Pantry Principle” at work:  shop to replenish the basic ingredients in your pantry or freezer and not just for this week’s meals/emergencies.  For example, I know I’ll use 6 to 8 tins of chopped tomatoes a month, so I buy them by the tray when they’re on offer and consider restocking when I’ve refilled the relevant shelf in the pantry and the latest tray is empty.

Additionally, when I open a bottle/jar/packet, I’ll write the date opened on the bottle with a sharpie together with how long the other previous one lasted, then I’ll know approximately when I’ll need to get a replacement.  I’ll put it on the shopping list in the section “if offer”.  I’ll even put an approximate price, if I remember it.

- Pip