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Saturday, March 2, 2013

Fresher Friday

I have this fun little thing I do at the grocery.
Well, it's fun to me. ha.
I check out the scratch and dent section and buy up
whatever I think our family will use,
even if it isn't on my grocery list.
I really don't care if a box is crushed or a can
has a dent.  And it's even better if I have a coupon
for it on top of the discount!
I've been known to stop in the grocery for bread and
milk and come out with a cart full of dented items. ha.
I also check out the meat clearance counter and have
filled the bulk freezer with meat that has a label
that says, 'Use today or freeze!'.




When we built on one of our additions (we've done it three times!),
I was fortunate enough to be able to have an overflow pantry
added in the back of the house next to the laundry.  It's a great place
to store those bulk items from Sam's and extra things that I don't need
in the small kitchen pantry.  Well, that's where the Fresher Friday comes in.
 The overflow pantry needed to be freshened. :)


So this week I took everything out, wiped out the shelves and the floor,
and organized things in categories.  Now I can see what I have and plan
my menus around the scratch and dent.
The best part was that I have only had to buy fresh produce to round
 out the meals.  Well, and I buy more from the clearance shelf, too. :)


I even had room to move the carpet steamer to this closet, which
needed a home when it wasn't being used.

Very thrift!  And much fresher!


39 comments:

  1. Look nice, I have to order mine too :(
    Maybe tomorrow:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't frown! It's fun! haha....well, it's fun when it's all done!

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    2. the best is when is ready like yours LOL

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    3. True...it was a nice cleaning project to get done! It looks so much better!

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  2. Looks good! I need to work on mine too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hadn't done mine in a couple of years...much better now!

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    2. I think dont clean mine about a year!!!:)

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    3. Really I clean but dont order I need it:)

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  3. nice..the clearance shelf is the way to go...i do the same with toys too...always check the clearance at wallmart and collect stocking stuffers through out the year...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it's amazing what you can get on those shelves! I always check them out! Shoes, too! ha.

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  4. Yep always have a look
    At what they are clearing at my nook
    Not usually food though
    As pfft to that at my show
    I couldn't even touch your display
    The fridge is barely full at my bay haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, the luxury of feeding one!
      You save money by the ton!
      haha.

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    2. haha eating healthy isn't cheap though
      But with 14 cats added to you show
      You surely beat me
      Even if I feed high class to orlin and cassie haha

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    3. Nothing is ever done in a small way
      from birthing babies to pets at my bay.
      Geesh! How did all of this come about?
      Guess I'll just be happy and not pout.
      At least I'm not insane!
      and from any comment about that you should refrain.
      lol....

      Delete
  5. Someday I will have myself a "Fresher Friday" too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That's a good plan. Only for me right now I don't worry so much about overflow. They eat it up as fast as I stock it. :) Andre (oldest son) stood in front of the open fridge tonight and said,"Mom I could eat your whole fridge." Haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha...oh, that is so funny and cute....and it says he loves your cooking! :) Growing boys can eat a ton. I am always amazed!

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  7. I have a walk-in pantry in the kitchen, so I've never had a problem with it being too disorganized.

    (I was at the grocery store today for the express purpose of checking out their discount meat section. Yikes! When did beef get so expensive?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I don't know how you do it....my pantry in the kitchen gets disorganized, too! haha. Maybe it's not me...maybe it's the five men rummaging through it all the time? haha.

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  8. You have a lot more energy than just about anyone I know. I get exhausted reading about all you do each day. I sorta remember those types of days and hopefully they will come back some day. I too love to check the clearance shelves before I do any shopping. At my grocery store they put it in the alcove that leads to the bathroom. Usually I am in that area by myself checking all the shelves. Other shoppers just walk on by and usually give me a funny look. I think they are wondering what I am doing. But sometimes someone will come join me and we start talking about all the good deals we find there. I just love finding deals. Even when I shop online I go looking for their clearance section. A lot of places do not even have their clearance section easily marked and you really do have to make an effort to find it. One can sure save a lot of money shopping this way and I too do like Brian and shop all year round for the gift bags that I make at Christmas time. Without doing that they would be more like "Air bags".

    I really enjoyed this post.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's the fountain of youth, you know. Pat and I found it...or so we say. haha. I totally agree about the clearance shelves. Sometimes they are hidden away. One store I go to has them in a cart and if you aren't looking for it, you could mistake it for a customer's cart. I, too, like to stock up on little gifts through out the year. It's nice for the money and also when you have a spur of the moment need and don't have to run out shopping for it.

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  9. Ahhh... one of my "pending projects"... reorganizing the pantry/laundry room. I just can't seem to get a good time or place to jump in and get started. Maybe you've inspired me a little. Maybe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, good for you to get inspired. I wouldn't have wanted The Mister organizing my pantry/laundry stuff. We most definitely would not think alike in that situation. haha.

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  10. well good for you Betsy, I will often buy the clearance meat too...nothing wrong with!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. nope, nothing wrong at all...just need to freeze or use it that day.

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  11. Good job. Betsy...
    I also buy discounted meat...either eat that night or freeze...
    Same with berries...but usually I freeze those, and then they are ready for crisps or to add to my cakes...
    We are home....made it in 2 days...only stayed one night in Knoxville Tn...
    Passed the exit for "Xenia'...couldn't get the boyfriend to turn off!!!
    I said that you would be "Thrilled" to see us!! hahaha...
    We drove 11 hours the first day...and 13 the second....POOPED!!! but very glad to be home....
    Vivian is napping in the other room...She remembered me!!! YAY!!! so cute!!

    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, hey! Welcome back!

      You were REALLY close if you passed the exit for Xenia. I live 11 miles from Xenia...work and grocery shop there! Can't believe you did that in 2 days! I bet your bodies are in shock from the cold. Isn't it grey and freezing in northern USA? Hope you have sunshine, but we do not again.

      Of course Viv remembered you! Sweet gramma...how could she forget?! :)

      I accidentally deleted your shamrock comment. Yes, it's a shamrock...love those! I had a purple one, once too...really lovely with pink blooms! I should look for one in the stores this month while they are plentiful!

      Delete
  12. It looks great. Just had a look in my pantry (not my panty).... but it's depressingly empty. It does look tidy, though. No wonder if it's empty, I know. Have a great weekend, Betsy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol....glad you clarified there. :) yep...emptiness kind of makes it tidy! lol...I guess it's time to head to the grocery! Don't forget to check out the clearance!

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  13. I wish I had your pantry. I have a lot of cupboards in my kitchen and those cupboards they call pantrys... but I want a big one.

    I have never seen them sell dented cans at our store. They probably sell them right in with the regular ones for the same price.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I'm very fortunate to have this extra space...I guess that's a plus for putting on an addition.
      I really wish I had a butler's pantry or a walk-in kind. That would be a luxury! Our Wal-mart does that...just sells the dented cans at full price. Look at your Kroger or King Sooper or whatever you have near you in that line of groceries. Hope you find a scratch-n-dent!

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  14. And I thought my store cupboard was overstocked! I'm like you I store tins, packets and anything edible that's going cheap, just in case I'm ill or snowed in and can't get to the shops. I felt guilty about hoarding so much stuff until I saw your pictures. I only have about half as much as you.

    I'm off to the supermarket now to get some more now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Half as much for one person? haha...I guess you still beat me in ratio. It's a wise thing to do and I agree..it's nice to have things on hand when you're busy, ill, or the weather is yucky. I've even found bags of cat food there...which I always take! :)

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  15. I kid you not. I just this afternoon took snaps of my kitchen areas that I'm about to redo. So fun to do this kind of stuff. And I love all your sales. I'm a big old couponer, and clearance is a word that makes me happy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Whisk! :)

      Great minds, right? I'll look forward to the redo...love that kind of stuff!

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    2. It is fun. And I'm pretty sure I'm removing a
      few kitchen cabinet as well. They are just in my way.

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