While the stockpiling benefits allow me to avoid any impulse purchases, plan my menus based on what I have on hand in my pantry and freezer, as well as the freedom to completely avoid the grocery store for a week, it also has a few downsides for those of us (ME) who aren’t a Type A organizer type.
I was challenged to clean out my pantry this week, and gladly knew this was one accountability step on which I would rise to the challenge.
The reason?
Stockpiling had started getting the best of my children.
First, it has led them to believe that if there are ten boxes of fruit roll-ups in the pantry (because mom got them for only $.50/box), then they have free reign to help themselves to treats at any given time of any day.
And the rest of the boxes are thrown haphazardly back in the pantry, much to the chagrin of their momma.
I can’t believe that this bottom floor is actually going to be seen in its full, large sized bedlam, but it is….as an inspiration… that this could be you, if you’re not careful.
(Sorry, for the big picture, but I don’t want to reload them all)
BEFORE:
AFTER:
I reclaimed the floor, and “shopped my house” for some organizational help.
In the attic, I found this 2-tiered shelf that housed some kid toys.
It’s being used in all its glory right here on the floor.
Since I buy potatoes and onions in bulk, the worst thing ever is the smell of a rotten potato.
Keeping them in the bags has led to that horrendous smell more times than I care to remember (once is enough).
And yes, that before picture is the exact same floor space – hard to believe, isn’t it?
Quite often, canned goods are on sale at incredible prices with the double coupons.
When they go on sale BOGO free, I stock up.
I have labeled the shelves – soups, veggies, and fruits.
The blue bin is where I am now holding all my bags of dried beans (not the beans that I buy in bulk).
I will make sure and rotate them so that the dates are always current.
I won’t have to buy any more for awhile.
The reason I do this was permanently etched in my brain today at the grocery store, when I saw a woman buy 2 cans of soup at $2.59/each that I had just bought two weeks ago for $.50 each.
Don’t worry, I didn’t tell her – that would have made her feel awful. 🙂
That is why I stock up. I ONLY purchase items when they are at my “target” price.
If they aren’t, I don’t buy them, and we wait til they go on sale.
Fortunately, my Homemade Gourmet items always make me feel organized.
I keep all my bulk mixes and seasoning right here.
Remember all the dips my children can whip up?
They all begin with a little bit of these.
And yes, the law has been set down for the cereal bars and fruit roll ups.
(Even though I thought it was before, somehow it got lost in the stockpile. 🙂
I took all the snacks out of their boxes and put then in here – up high.
Yes, they can still get to them, but the “free for all” feel is gone, and now they have to intentionally be looking for them.
I was just telling hubby tonight that I’ve learned you spend more when you don’t stockpile — then you go buy it at the drug store for a bunch more because you need it NOW! We’re going to be better about this! Love the pantry!!
Seriously, your mad shopping skills are an inspiration. I want to be you. Where do I start?
Your organization looks wonderful!
I love what you have done with your pantry. I really need to clean mine out. I just never seem to get around to it.
DOesn’t having a clean pantry just make you breathe easier? Good for you! We have the empty boxes in our pantry (and freezer!) too. Always nice when you feel like having a cracker or a bowl of cereal and pick up a box of … air! 🙂
Good for you!
You gave very nice ideas, for instance, putting the cans laying down, like bottles.
Alfazema
I'm loving that pantry. Makes me want to bake something and don't worry – your kids aren't the only ones leaving snack boxes all over the house & empty boxes in the pantry. It drives me nuts.
Very nice and organized….I have the same problem with empty boxes but I also have one adult in the home who does it too…hmmmmmm.
sandy toe
Great job on the pantry! It’s time to do the same to mine. 🙂
I love it! I’ve been organizing my pantry as well…slowly but surely. Hubby and I made a run to Ikea Saturday where I bought a ton of plastic containers for cereal, pastas, snack items and the like. Seeing your results makes me excited to get started!
lookin’ mighty fine…all crisp and uniform…gotta love it.
I still have this project looming.
It seems to be a real trend on blogger…thanks for the kick in the pants.
Looks awesome!!!! I love an organized pantry. 🙂
What an inspiration for a pantry re-do!!! I am a stock piler as well, and find myself stuffing canned goods in every nook & cranny – mostly in my china cabinet! I'm about to work on my own redo using a hutch I got.
I love your refrigerator!
inspiring! everything looks GREAT!!! It looks like you are ready to get snowed in…….
What a transformation! I feel so much better when my fridge and pantry are organized and neat – plus I spend less at the store, because I can see what we actually have!
great job! i sure use some of your tips on my pantry!
I wish we could stockpile more, but we have the tiniest pantry ever made. But we do shop the sales, does that give us some bonus points?! lol 🙂 And, yes, my children just toss empty snack containers back into the pantry, too!! Where do they learn this stuff? (ok, that’s another line from my parents…who I seem to be morphing into more and more with each passing year. Pretty soon I’ll be saying “I hope you have a child JUST LIKE YOU”…it works, believe me…have you met my little clone?…)
Great organizing tips, Jen! You gotta do that with 5 kids, I know.
Jen,
My kids do the free-for-all thing too! I LOVE an organized pantry. Yours is lovely. I want to go take a nap in there. And snack.
You totally inspire me with your thrifty ways. I am a thrifty chick myself but you are light years ahead of me. I get overwhelmed with all that I could do…
Baby steps right?
WOW! YOur organization is great! I seriously need to get our pantry cabinet organized. Especially since it is nowhere near the size of yours!
Great organizing! I need to take the hint and do the same. I’ve really been slacking lately with my coupons and meal planning.
Impulse purchases have taken over lately. I went over the weekend just for a fresh loaf of bread to go with dinner and walked out of there spending $30. Now you know the bread didn’t cost anywhere near that. lol I need to plan better so I can stay out of the store between regular shopping.
~Michelle
I LOVE it!! It makes my type-A organzational heart go pitter, patter!!!
Can’t wait to see more tomorrow!
I LOVE yard sales where I can find such awesome containers for my cupboards. Your’s may not ‘match’ but let me tell ya, it sure looks VERY pleasing to the eye..I LOVE it. I LOVE organizing, stock piling, being a thrifty shopper,,makes me feel so Proverbs 31 Woman!!! I really enjoyed this post..thanks for sharing.
Cute containers in the closet!
Wow! I have pantry envy! Great job! I love the way you shop, too. I can’t imagine doing it any other way!
Oh, I just love an organizational post, and this one was a pure beauty! You look like you spent a lot of time and effort on that! Great job! I agree with so many of the things you said–putting the junk food out of reach really does help! Beautiful work!
Good job. I just might get inspired.
Wish I HAD a pantry! Oh and my kids have always left me empty box surprises to find in the cabinet. What is it with just tossing the empty box? If I take a quick glance before shopping and see the box; I don’t buy MORE either. LOL
Great organizing!
Cool, girlfriend. With the tiniest pantry known to man, I commandeered shelves in my laundry room for the canned goods and jars, and kept just staples, cereal and pasta/rice in my lil’ ole pantry proper.
I’m still figuring out the stockpile issues, like exactly how much I really need of certain things! Any hints you have on that would help out. 🙂
Lovely choice for today’s Met Monday! Sorry for the late visit; too many errands…
Carolyn of What Now? Tablescapes
I am so proud of your new-improved organized pantry! How amazing (and I too love taking things out of boxes and putting them in containers/jars etc. I always take toothpaste and the like out of boxes as well). Also, to keep my kids from being tempted from all the extra snacks (and my husband from knowing there is a plethera of brownies) I keep those items in an extra pantry. I know I am really fortunate to have a second pantry, so I try to use it strategically.
My children seem to think that a stockpile of gummies and granola bars means free reign too!
I surely do love an organized pantry. Great minds think alike… I was thinking of posting about organizing a pantry after my paint series.
That is looking great, Jen! And I never thought of looking at yard sales for organizational containers. I guess a lot of people have good intentions, but never follow through or they ultimately choose a different system. You have great ideas!
This is so funny – how refreshing to see the floor of your pantry! I did my spice cabinet last week, I should have taken a photo of the honey and salt stuck to the shelf!
It looks great!!!
LOVE this post! Thanks so much for sharing! I’ve just started stockpiling and it gets outta control fast =P
I bought 3 or 4 boxes of gummies on sale Thursday…..all gone! gonna have to start hiding the goodies (heehee) i must confess though that i had my share of those yummy snacks!
I’m in full on research mode right now. I want to learn as much as I can! Great post….don’t you just love an organized pantry!?
Great Job! I am inspired…
Scribbler
Oh I so understand the “empty box dilemma”! I am constantly fighting it, but it never seems to go away. That’s a great idea to just put the packs in a container! Now if I just had that much organization skill…..
Great job! So organized!
I need to do better. The busier I am the worse I do. So, do your bulk purchases fit within the 500$ per month budget. Can you explain how you think about that. Maybe there is a post I missed.
You AMAZE me! I know what I will be looking for at yard sales this spring;)
Do you buy most of your bulk items here in NC at Clubs or Aldi’s? I usually wait until they come on sale at the Grocery Stores BOGO…
I love things to be organized, so this looks great! It can seem overwhelming at first, but the end result is worth it.
Hi there, visiting from SITS. I love that you took all these pictures of your pantry. I especially enjoy the empty boxes. 😉 It all looks very organized – good job!
I’m motivated to continue my (abandoned-mid cleanout) pantry reorganization after seeing yours. Thanks for the oatmeal idea – brilliant!!!
Love your pantry! I have to confess that mine is in total disarray. . . but I think you’ve inspired me to tackle it this afternoon! 🙂
~Judy
http://www.frugalathome.com
I buy my oats in bulk. I keep mine in a big bucket with a gamma lid.
Great organization. This looks great!
I worked on my kitchen cabinets this week and it made me feel great! At least I know what I have and where it is! LOL
Yours looks so organized!
~Kim
I like your new blog design! Wow! Thanks for this post, I just cleaned out my pantry to make room for buying things in bulk. I’ll save money and won’t be upset if I can’t get to the grocery every week!
Wow, what a great post! I would love it if you linked your tips up to my organization link party this week. I know my readers would love to see them: http://thriftmeblog.com/lets-organize-2012-pantry-recap-link-party/
Thanks!