I have to let you in on a secret. I’m a bit ashamed of this. I mean, I am probably the most organized person in the circles where we hang out. How is it that this happened?
My freezers. I never really knew what was in my freezers. They didn’t look messy and I always had a rough idea of what was in them. But then one day as I was putting away meat from a grocery trip, I got super annoyed. So I grabbed my notebook and went downstairs to the chest freezer.
I took all the meat out and laid it on the dryer and washing machine (the chest freezer is in the laundry room). I wrote down how much of each type of meat I had. Then I went back upstairs to my freezer above the refrigerator and did the same thing.
I was amazed to find out that I didn’t have what I thought I had. I just couldn’t believe how poorly I had been keeping track of my freezers. I had more of some stuff and less of others. I know I was wasting money as I was buying more of what I already had. It was time for a change on how I kept track of our freezers.
I have now created a sheet that goes on the side of the refrigerator. There are rows for each type of meat I usually buy then columns for “big freezer” and “little freezer.” I then put it in a sheet protector and folded it in half. With the sheet protector, I can use dry erase markers on it. Each item has how much of it I have in the big freezer and the small freezer. When I take something out for dinner or purchase more at the store, I can easily change the number of packages I have in the freezer. This makes it so much easier when I’m planning my grocery trip.
I wish I had thought of taking a freezer inventory sooner. It is a super simple and easy way to keep track of what I have. No more wasting money on meat I already have. I now feel better prepared when going grocery shopping or meal planning. It’s amazing how something so simple can make such a big difference.
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About Jessica says
Great way to stay organized! I definitely need to do this!
Julie @ Loggers Wife says
I’m hoping I can keep it up. 🙂
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup says
Great tip! I don’t take the time to inventory my freezers on a regular basis, but only when I am doing a Pantry Challenge. Knowing what we have and using it before it goes bad is one of the best ways to save money. Thanks for the reminder!
Julie @ Loggers Wife says
I can’t believe how much easier it has made my life. I’m still learning to remember to adjust the number when I take something out of the freezer. But to actually know what I have….huge time, money, and sanity saver. 🙂
JES says
I am there with you! I started something similar recently. It is especially hard to keep track with a chest freezer! Thanks for sharing your system on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! Please join in again next week 🙂
Julie @ Loggers Wife says
Yes, the chest freezer is what I write down as “big freezer.” That was my worst one. I need more baskets! lol.
Thanks for swinging by! I am hoping to join in next week. I love link parties, not just for the exposure, but for making new bloggy friends and reading a bunch of great posts. 🙂