Organizing "stuff"

It seems that in my house, every inch has to be used efficiently to maximize space.  One thing that I LOVE to use is shoe holders!  However, I don't use them for shoes.  I hang them on the backs of my doors for various things.  In my front closet, the pockets hold various seasonal things.  In the summer it holds hats, sunscreens and other things that the kids can come get. In the winter, the pockets hold mittens, scarves, ear warmers etc.  Each kid has a whole row for themselves, so they always know where their stuff is.

In the bathroom, the organizer holds bows, barettes, hairsprays, brushes, combs, etc.  I like the clear ones so I can see exactly where everything is.This is especially helpful as the kids know where each thing goes- and they can put it away where it goes.

In my kitchen pantry, the organizer holds our cell phones, chargers, sunglasses, ipods and all the little electronic gadget-y things that I use in the kitchen and with my computer in the kitchen.  I know the pantry seems an odd place for this, but that is where I use it.

These wonderful shoe organizers have helped us save space, and be organized.  Each one is only about $7-9.00 at Walmart or Target.

Freezer Inventory Sheet

When cleaning out my freezers, all items were taken out, organized, and then put away.  Before putting away, I wrote each item down (what it was, how many pounds it was, and the date I froze it- if I had that info).  Today, I put all the info onto a Freezer Inventory list that I made.  This is now on my freezer door with a wet erase marker attached to it.  Each time something is added or taken from the freezer, I update the list.  I use a wet erase marker- the dry erase comes off too easily.  This sheet is a tally sheet, so I can know what I have just by looking on it.  I will use this list before I buy more-  Do I have room for it?  Do I need it? I will also use this list as I plan my menus.  I want to use up everything that I have stored first, before using something I just bought, to make sure everything in my freezer is rotated.  For the freezer inventory list (.pdf) click here.  For the freezer inventory list (.doc) that you can make changes to, click here.  Make sure to print on cardstock and then laminate.  This way the wet erase marker will work!
Happy organizing!
Freezer Inventory

Time to Clean the FREEZER!!

We all know it.  Food costs a lot of money!  I think most of us are very conscious about our food budget.  We try to save money by shopping sales, using coupons, etc.  Think for a minute- how much food has your family thrown away over the past month?  Year? I hate to say it, but I have thrown away quite a lot (leftovers that didn't get eaten, vegetables that went bad... etc).  Just this week, I sent my daughter to the freezer to get some pork chops.  She came back in with frostbitten hands (well, almost), and no pork chops. I knew we had pork chops somewhere buried in the freezer.....  Well, I found them, buried, and much to my dismay, they were old & freezer burned.  I try to be so frugal- and when I calculate how much money that I waste from discarded food, it made me think-  What can I do to make sure this doesn't continue?  I came up with a couple of ideas that I hope will help me:
1.  Clean the Freezer
2.  Inventory the Freezer
3.  Continue to use a shopping list
4.  Plan and stick to a menu
5.  Have a "leftover night" once a week

So, lets get started. 

1.  Cleaning the Freezer:
I should have taken a before picture (honestly, I was too embarrassed).  Over the past several months, our garage freezer (we have three freezers: Garage, Kitchen side by side, and downstairs side by side) has had to be locked because it was so full that it wouldn't close tight. The overwhelming task to clean the freezer was managable with the following steps.

•  Wear gloves.
• Get 7-8 bins or laundry baskets to put the food into: 1 bin for chicken, 1 bin for pork, 1 bin for beef, etc.
  
• Start at the top shelf and separate each item into the bins, continue for the rest of the shelves, and the door.  Now, all like items should be together in the bins.
  
• Using hot soapy water and a scrubbing sponge, start with the door, top to bottom.  As soon as each shelf is clean, quickly wipe it dry with a dry towel. Any moisture left will quickly turn to ice.
• Continue with each shelf, and the walls of the freezer.  
• Lastly, do the bottom.  This is a bit tricky since it is so cold.  I put my hot soapy water down, scrubbed, and quickly dried again.  If it turns to ice before the scrubbing is finished, use a spatula to remove all ice.  Once again, make sure everything is completely dry.
• Assess your food- What do you have the most of?  What space would it fit in the freezer best? I had the most chicken and beef- so those went into my two big drawers.
• Put like items together: I put the pepperoni and pizza sauce in its own bin, since the kids make pizza every Friday night. 
  
• As you put your food back, write down what you have.  This will go onto your freezer inventory that remains on the outside of the freezer.  
• I labeled each shelf.  When my kids help with things, everything goes a lot smoother when they know where to put (and to find) things.  To get a copy of the labels, click here.
  

Now, as I plan my menu shopping list, I can quickly look at my freezer inventory and use first what I have.  If you have a deep freeze as well as a side by side with your fridge, you may want to consider this.  Why not use your kitchen freezer only for the items you will be using for the next 2 weeks-1 month?  Every two weeks when you do your menu, bring in the items from the freezer you will use next.  Then, everything gets rotated, you know exactly what you have, and where, and things are a bit more organized. 

Watch for the next post: Freezer Inventory