The most important suggestion I can make: DO keep an inventory!
I have an Excel spreadsheet for tracking my storage. I keep it saved on the computer, but after losing a couple computers, I also keep it saved on a thumb drive. I also print out a master copy in January. I make notes throughout the year: whenever I remove something from the storage room; when I think of something to change; when someone gives me an idea I don’t want to forget. I usually won’t print out a new copy unless the current one gets too cluttered with my notes.
When I update my inventory each January, I reconsider my needs for the upcoming year: is there anything I need/want to add or eliminate from my storage plan, or change quantities? For instance: 1) this year, I have a son who is not here full-time any more – do I still count him when calculating quantity requirements? 2) It is also important to consider changes in dietary needs – is there someone with a “special needs” diet due to health issues? Or in this case, I have a new nephew, so I now include baby & toddler items in my storage, because he will spend a lot of time here. I plan to rotate through the perishable things on a quarterly basis, and send things to my sister for use – she’ll love the quarterly care packages, and they can certainly use the help! 3) Another thing to consider is the changes in eating habits, especially if you have a teenager going through growth spurts! (Sometimes I wonder if I really only have 5 people here!) 4) Does your plan include the possibility of additional mouths to feed in case of emergency? My brother is with us “for a while.” He may only be here a few months, maybe longer. When calculating our needs, I tend to lean towards generous, rather than conservative. My home is the place where family & friends tend to land in times of need, so I feel so much better knowing I’ve allowed for that possibility!
If you’re like me, you’ve always got storage on your mind – am I obsessed? Probably. I’ve been at this for a while now & it’s actually FUN for me to find a new way to fine tune my methods! I hope this helps you on your quest to be self-reliant!
I want everyone reading this to know that I have a strong testimony of the concept of acquiring & maintaining an ample supply of food (and non-food) items. I will share more in another post, but for here I will tell you that my family has just survived a 3-month financial scare because my husband lost his job. We were fortunate to have some money in savings, but had it not been for our food storage, that money would not have gone nearly as far! We were offered help from the Bishop’s Storehouse & I was able to say we didn’t need that assistance at this point…what a great feeling! We have followed the counsel to do this & we’ve been blessed for it…
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8 comments:
Good things to think about! I'm trying to fine tune my food storage management this year too!
I too love ensuring my food storage is appropriate in both types off food and quantities, so no, you aren't obsessed LOL
In addition to food storage I also believe it is vital to hold seeds storage as well.
Becca, I'm constantly fine tuning!!
Molly, I'm so relieved to know that I'm NOT obsessed! lol
I don't currently have seeds in our storage, BUT it's on my list of things to accomplish this year!
I'm obsessed as well. Can't get enough of it. Just picked up 70 canning jars from Craigslist today. Couldn't beat the price...FREE.
I'm really bad when it comes to tracking inventory. I'm not good with records. I'm not detail-oriented. So, honestly, I don't have any kind of system. So far, it mostly works for me. I've had a few scares here and there with things like sugar and flour. But, I was able to take care of it.
Do you think there's a simpler way to keep track of things for those of us detail-challenged?
Wendi,
Congrats on the canning jars!
As far as a simple way to keep track, I think my spreadsheet is very simple - BUT that may be because I've been using this method for a few years now, with just a little adjustment here & there.
My spreadsheet has these columns: Item, Category, Quantity Required, Quantity on Hand; Location; Notes. You wouldn't need to worry about making a notation everytime you removed something from storage, just keep an eye on each area & make a note when you think an item is "getting low."
After the initial set-up of the spreadsheet, it is not time-consuming at all. I print it out after I'm done with my annual update & don't have to work on it again until next January...I do keep a copy tacked to a post in the basement, so I can make notes as needed.
Several years ago, I came across one method of tracking inventory that even had space for "when purchased, how much it cost, expiration dates" -- that was WAAAAAY too much!
I feel it's important to keep track of what I have...For one, I have NO memory, so I'd constantly be making trips to the basement (not as easy as it sounds for my house!) to see what I should buy. Another reason for tracking my supply is that I'm a habitual record-keeper...(maybe I have OCD?). Here's my main reason, though: We've invested SO much time & money into building our supply, that I need to make sure nothing is wasted - or lacking.
I appreciated your comments. I'm just got done doing an inventory and now I'm setting up a spread sheet. My categories are almost exactly like yours. I have some holes that I need to take care of, but I'm in better shape than I thought I was. I'm pretty happy with things now that I know what's going on. I love your blog and am so happy I found it. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Hey great site - thanks for the great info - you wouldn't have your excel spread sheet for share do you? I am trying to get organized and I do not know where to start with my own organizing - let me know, again thanks andigooch.blogspot.com
I love that you keep a running excel inventory of food storage. I recently decided to track what I have and want to be able to sort by item and by expiration date.
Did an internet search for excel pantry inventory and it pulled up your blog (which is amazing). Any way you would share your excel file?
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