Dating purchases

Melba's Jammin said:

The meal planning thread and my response to Ophelia and her
downsized-family adjustments made me think of this: I mark the

purchase

Quoted message said:

date (month and year, usually) on nearly everything I buy that's
destined for shelf storage. Then I know just how long those cans of
condensed and evaporated milk have been around. Not to mention the
soup, chili, tomatoes, barley (long term storage not an issue AFAIC),

Quoted message said:

and dry mixes. Then I can toss them with a clear conscience. My
helpful tip for the day.

Yup, I've done the same for since forever, I mark the purchase date and
the price paid too... sometimes I'm amazed when I notice how much more
things cost from since only a few short months ago. Btw, for the past
couple of years evap has had the "Best Used By" date stamped on the
bottom of the can... I buy evap by the case, my six cats go through a
can every two days. How many remember when the price on canned goods
was marked with a rubber stamp and purple ink... and when the grocery
receipt was the penciled prices totaled on a brown paper bag? Barb, do
you also remember when a can of evap cost 9¢?

Melba's Jammin said:

[snip] I mark the purchase
date (month and year, usually) on nearly everything I buy that's
destined for shelf storage. Then I know just how long those cans of
condensed and evaporated milk have been around. Not to mention the
soup, chili, tomatoes, barley (long term storage not an issue AFAIC),

Quoted message said:

and dry mixes. Then I can toss them with a clear conscience. [snip]

I think there's a bit of a dichotomy on this topic, sort of the harvest
and store mindset versus the hunter-gatherer. There are perhaps not as
many of the latter, but we never (almost never) keep anything so long
it might overstay its storage welcome. Here, for example, we *always*
have evaporated milk and canned tomatoes and dried pasta and canned
tuna on our shelves. None of it is *ever* more than a month old.
Anything that we might not need for several months is not in our
cupboards in the first place. We'd rather have to go get it than peer
into dark corners looking for a dusty can or jar, whether we've marked
it with a date or not.

Not saying there's anything wrong with either approach, just think
there's a basic attitudinal difference....And I realize, of course,
that we're talking to the jam goddess here, but even there -- if we had
it, we'd eat it, and then go get more.

-aem

aem said:

Melba's Jammin said:

[snip] I mark the purchase
date (month and year, usually) on nearly everything I buy that's
destined for shelf storage. Then I know just how long those cans

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

condensed and evaporated milk have been around. Not to mention the
soup, chili, tomatoes, barley (long term storage not an issue

AFAIC),

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and dry mixes. Then I can toss them with a clear conscience.

[snip]

Quoted message said:

I think there's a bit of a dichotomy on this topic, sort of the

harvest

Quoted message said:

and store mindset versus the hunter-gatherer. There are perhaps not

as

Quoted message said:

many of the latter, but we never (almost never) keep anything so long
it might overstay its storage welcome. Here, for example, we

*always*

Quoted message said:

have evaporated milk and canned tomatoes and dried pasta and canned
tuna on our shelves. None of it is *ever* more than a month old.
Anything that we might not need for several months is not in our
cupboards in the first place. We'd rather have to go get it than

peer

Quoted message said:

into dark corners looking for a dusty can or jar, whether we've

marked

Quoted message said:

it with a date or not.

Not saying there's anything wrong with either approach, just think
there's a basic attitudinal difference....And I realize, of course,
that we're talking to the jam goddess here, but even there -- if we

had

Quoted message said:

it, we'd eat it, and then go get more.

-aem

Maintaining a mere month's supply in the larder is indicative of
spoilage paranoia... or you're a gypsy. I mean like most
canned/packaged food stuffs will easily keep a year, or two years.
Maybe your entire kitchen cupboard/pantry space consists of a weekender
sized piece of Samsonite, and you have a dorm sized fridge, and a
single burner hot plate for a stove. Long ago and far away I once
lived like you, I moved around a LOT, all my kitchen stuff fit into a
shoebox... every blessed thing I owned fit into the trunk of '66 TR4A.
In fact I still have that shoebox, and occasionally toss it in the car
if I'm going on a trip requiring a m/hotel stay... I even own a really
tiny microwave oven, the "Sharp Munchkin", it's smaller than a shoebox,
holds just two coffee mugs, barely. Back then I pretty much grocery
shopped daily.

Sheldon said:

Maintaining a mere month's supply in the larder is indicative of
spoilage paranoia...

No, I don't worry about it.

Quoted message said:

or you're a gypsy.

Less than I'd like to be.

Quoted message said:

I mean like most
canned/packaged food stuffs will easily keep a year, or two years.

Sure, but who needs it? I know Alaskans who have a year's supply of
this or that in their cabins, but it's because it may be a year before
they next go into town. I have 3 supermarkets within a mile of me.
Why not let them store food for me?

Quoted message said:

[snip] Long ago and far away ... all my kitchen stuff fit into a
shoebox... every blessed thing I owned fit into the trunk of '66
TR4A.

Cool. Don't you sometimes miss that?

-aem

One time on Usenet said:

Sheldon wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I mean like most
canned/packaged food stuffs will easily keep a year, or two years.

Quoted message said:

Sure, but who needs it? I know Alaskans who have a year's supply of
this or that in their cabins, but it's because it may be a year before
they next go into town. I have 3 supermarkets within a mile of me.
Why not let them store food for me?

Because you may wind up paying more for it. I buy canned/packaged
stuff on sale, then I can skip it when the price goes back up. If
that means having 3 jars of mayo in the pantry, so be it...

--
J.J. in WA ~ mom, vid gamer, novice cook ~
"You still haven't explained why the pool is
filled with elf blood." - Frylock, ATHF

aem said:

Sure, but who needs it? I know Alaskans who have a year's supply of
this or that in their cabins, but it's because it may be a year before
they next go into town. I have 3 supermarkets within a mile of me.
Why not let them store food for me?

There are those who live by a tighter budget than
you and I. They know that they're going to use 12
cans of evap milk per year and they monitor it's
price. They buy it only when it is at it's lowest
price. Now they can rebuy at their leisure when
the price is again at the lowest point and not pay
more than they feel necessary. I think this
movement or perhaps it was a book, called "The
Pantry Principle" ??
Goomba

Gal Called J.J. said:

One time on Usenet said:

Sure, but who needs it? I know Alaskans who have a year's supply

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

this or that in their cabins, but it's because it may be a year

before

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

they next go into town. I have 3 supermarkets within a mile of me.
Why not let them store food for me?

Because you may wind up paying more for it. I buy canned/packaged
stuff on sale, then I can skip it when the price goes back up. If
that means having 3 jars of mayo in the pantry, so be it...

Well, you're quite right about that. In "The Only Investment Guide
You'll Ever Need" Andrew Tobias illustrated the major importance of
battling inflation by suggesting you buy tunafish by the case, storing
it under the bed if necessary.

I still think there's a basic personality dichotomy that underlies
which approach seems natural to you.

-aem

"aem" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Sure, but who needs it? I know Alaskans who have a year's supply of
this or that in their cabins, but it's because it may be a year before
they next go into town. I have 3 supermarkets within a mile of me.
Why not let them store food for me?

Prices. The longer the stupidmarket stores the food the higher the price
will ultimately become. For items that are at a lower than normal price
why not stock up?

As mentioned in another post for most people their food budget is the
largest variable that have. Why should I pay $2.00 for a can of solid tuna
when I can buy several for $1.00 each. If one is prudent and pays attention
to the prices one can certainly afford better food at a lower price.

I think the price changes form 1 week to the next are just obscene. My MIL
likes Healthy Choice soups -it's her nickle but it irkes me when she pays
3.50 or was it $3.85 for a can when another store had the same soup for
$1.50 or thereabouts.

I should mention that the pantry is 6 feet wide from floor to ceiling with 4
doors.

Dimitri

One time on Usenet said:

Gal Called J.J. said:

One time on Usenet, "aem" <[email hidden]> said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Sure, but who needs it? I know Alaskans who have a year's supply
of this or that in their cabins, but it's because it may be a year
before they next go into town. I have 3 supermarkets within a mile
of me. Why not let them store food for me?

Because you may wind up paying more for it. I buy canned/packaged
stuff on sale, then I can skip it when the price goes back up. If
that means having 3 jars of mayo in the pantry, so be it...

Well, you're quite right about that. In "The Only Investment Guide
You'll Ever Need" Andrew Tobias illustrated the major importance of
battling inflation by suggesting you buy tunafish by the case, storing
it under the bed if necessary.

Heh! I don't think I'd ever go to that extreme. Besides, that's my
gift-hiding spot.

Quoted message said:

I still think there's a basic personality dichotomy that underlies
which approach seems natural to you.

Very true, can't argue with that...

--
J.J. in WA ~ mom, vid gamer, novice cook ~
"You still haven't explained why the pool is
filled with elf blood." - Frylock, ATHF

In article <[email hidden]>,

aem said:

I think there's a bit of a dichotomy on this topic, sort of the harvest
and store mindset versus the hunter-gatherer. There are perhaps not as
many of the latter, but we never (almost never) keep anything so long
it might overstay its storage welcome. Here, for example, we *always*
have evaporated milk and canned tomatoes and dried pasta and canned
tuna on our shelves. None of it is *ever* more than a month old.
Anything that we might not need for several months is not in our
cupboards in the first place. We'd rather have to go get it than peer
into dark corners looking for a dusty can or jar, whether we've marked
it with a date or not.

For us, we have two things at work: 4 children and one income. When
things go on sale that we use and like, we buy as much as we can afford,
store in pantry/freezer/whatever is appropriate. That way, we are not
stuck paying higher prices, we have food we like, and we will use it.
Also, if money is too tight, we can shop the pantry and freezer and
still have very good meals. We still don't store as much as you'd
think, though. Mostly because we go through it so quickly now. All of
the kids eat more than I do, and Rich and I eat a fair amount ourselves.
This is also partly why I make all the bread here, one loaf lasts us a
meal and a half, if we are using it for sandwiches.

Regards,
Ranee

--
Remove Do Not and Spam to email

"She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13

See my Blog at: http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/

In article <[email hidden]>,

aem said:

Sure, but who needs it? I know Alaskans who have a year's supply of
this or that in their cabins, but it's because it may be a year before
they next go into town. I have 3 supermarkets within a mile of me.
Why not let them store food for me?

I don't know about you, but we spend more the more we go to the
grocery store. Seems a direct proportion. So, if we go once a week for
fresh veggies/fruit and pick up things we stock up on and do a monthly
costco trip for the big stuff, we are set, we don't spend much and I'm
not wasting gas and time multiple times a week. I guess I think about
the money aspect more than a lot of people. I plan my trips out so as
to take the most direct route and do things on the way to/from the kids'
school or wherever I need to go so as not to use up too much gas money
either.

Regards,
Ranee

--
Remove Do Not and Spam to email

"She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13

See my Blog at: http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/

"Ranee Mueller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

<snip>

Quoted message said:

For us, we have two things at work: 4 children and one income. When
things go on sale that we use and like, we buy as much as we can afford,
store in pantry/freezer/whatever is appropriate. That way, we are not
stuck paying higher prices, we have food we like, and we will use it.
Also, if money is too tight, we can shop the pantry and freezer and
still have very good meals. We still don't store as much as you'd
think, though. Mostly because we go through it so quickly now. All of
the kids eat more than I do, and Rich and I eat a fair amount ourselves.
This is also partly why I make all the bread here, one loaf lasts us a
meal and a half, if we are using it for sandwiches.

Regards,
Ranee

Amen - when the girls were at home we had the same situation 6 mouths to
feed - The they went out for Cheerleading and Basketball - that was like
feeding 10 not to mention the friends that were always staying for dinner.

The problem is when they began moving out and going out on their own - we
went from 6 to 2. That was the biggest problem. I kept buying like they
were home. It got to a point I had to just STOP Buying foe several months
(save Milk Fruit and salad) lol

Dimitri

Ranee Mueller said:

I don't know about you, but we spend more the more we go to the
grocery store.

Same here. I am a bit of impulsive buyer. I have a good idea what we need
for the week and generally get everything we need, and usually a few things
we don't really need. If I forget something I hate to go back to the store
because I know that I will end up picking up more stuff. For instance, if I
forget to buy eggs and go back to a grocery store I'll end up dropping
another $20.

I have never been a fan of driving around from one store to another to get
sale items. The same thing is going to happen. Instead of spending $100 in
one store I will end up spending $80 in each store. Maybe if I were ore
organized and used a list it would help, but I just find it easier and much
less hassle to just get everything I need in one store. That's the reason I
usually shop at one particular store in town. I know I can get everything I
need in there with one stop. Some of their things are a little more
expensive, but a lot of them are cheaper than the next closest place.

I used to work with a guy who spend most of his spare time running around
for bargains. I hate to think how much it cost him in gas and wear and tear
to save a little on groceries.

Then there are people like my mother who used to run around and pick up
things in quantity while they were on sale. She would end up running out of
storage space and give it to me. While the cost per unit was cheap, she
ended up spending a lot more on cost per amount actually used.

aem said:

Well, you're quite right about that. In "The Only Investment Guide
You'll Ever Need" Andrew Tobias illustrated the major importance of
battling inflation by suggesting you buy tunafish by the case, storing
it under the bed if necessary.

Uh, isn't "tuna fish" redundant?

Quoted message said:

I still think there's a basic personality dichotomy that underlies
which approach seems natural to you.

Or a space-related approach. At 1,800 square feet, storage is at a
premium. Also, a case of tuna would last us about 10 years. We do
Costco runs gingerly.

Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd
AAC(F)BV66.0748.CA

"If the soup had been as hot as the claret, if the claret had been as
old as the bird, and if the bird's breasts had been as full as the
waitress's, it would have been a very good dinner."

-- Duncan Hines

To reply, replace "spaminator" with "cox"

Terry Pulliam Burd said:

Uh, isn't "tuna fish" redundant?

I guess that's a usage from childhood. "Tunafish" to me means the
stuff in the can. "Tuna" is a fish or a steak or sushi. I doubt
there's any actual lexicological support for this, it's just how I
talk. <g>

-aem

"Dave Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ranee Mueller said:

I don't know about you, but we spend more the more we go to the
grocery store.

Same here. I am a bit of impulsive buyer. I have a good idea what we need
for the week and generally get everything we need, and usually a few
things
we don't really need. If I forget something I hate to go back to the store
because I know that I will end up picking up more stuff. For instance, if
I
forget to buy eggs and go back to a grocery store I'll end up dropping
another $20.

I have never been a fan of driving around from one store to another to get
sale items. The same thing is going to happen. Instead of spending $100
in
one store I will end up spending $80 in each store. Maybe if I were ore
organized and used a list it would help, but I just find it easier and
much
less hassle to just get everything I need in one store. That's the reason
I
usually shop at one particular store in town. I know I can get everything
I
need in there with one stop. Some of their things are a little more
expensive, but a lot of them are cheaper than the next closest place.

I used to work with a guy who spend most of his spare time running around
for bargains. I hate to think how much it cost him in gas and wear and
tear
to save a little on groceries.

Then there are people like my mother who used to run around and pick up
things in quantity while they were on sale. She would end up running out
of
storage space and give it to me. While the cost per unit was cheap, she
ended up spending a lot more on cost per amount actually used.

Dave, you sound like my wife! She can go to the store for a pack of gum
(you get the drift) and spend $60 bucks while I can go to the store for a
pack of gum and spend just the price of the gum. But! I will do all of my
shopping at one store and not zip around town to get what I want. I may
wind up spending a little bit extra but I will get only what I need. If I
know I don't have something I need for dinner, I'll stop at the store on the
way home but all of my cooking is geared towards meals that will serve up
two meals for the family. Left-overs are a gift from God!

I start crying everytime the wife walks out the door saying she's going to
Wal-Mart!

Bret

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In article said:

"aem" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Sure, but who needs it? I know Alaskans who have a year's supply of
this or that in their cabins, but it's because it may be a year before
they next go into town. I have 3 supermarkets within a mile of me.
Why not let them store food for me?

Prices. The longer the stupidmarket stores the food the higher the price
will ultimately become. For items that are at a lower than normal price
why not stock up?

Good in theory, but I tend to forget what I've already got and end up
chucking out a fair percentage of stuff when I clean out the pantry
after a long period of neglect. So it probably ends up costing more!

Of course, part of the problem is basically geometrical (or perhaps
geographical for those with really bit pantries) -- when you put stuff
in, it tends to go at the front; when you take it out, it tends to
come from the front. It's difficult to implement a convenient FIFO
system when you're dealing with objects and dark recesses. Maybe some
sort of rotating shelving would help, but that's going to mean a fair
bit of "wasted" space.

We had a Prime Minister 30 years ago who's remembered for two things:
He lost his pants one night in some dive on a visit to the USA; and he
said something like "Life's not meant to be easy."

Quoted message said:

As mentioned in another post for most people their food budget is the
largest variable that have. Why should I pay $2.00 for a can of solid tuna
when I can buy several for $1.00 each. If one is prudent and pays attention
to the prices one can certainly afford better food at a lower price.

I think the price changes form 1 week to the next are just obscene. My MIL
likes Healthy Choice soups -it's her nickle but it irkes me when she pays
3.50 or was it $3.85 for a can when another store had the same soup for
$1.50 or thereabouts.

I should mention that the pantry is 6 feet wide from floor to ceiling with 4
doors.

Cheers, Phred.

--
[email hidden]

In article <[email hidden]>,

aem said:

Melba's Jammin said:

[snip] I mark the purchase
date (month and year, usually) on nearly everything I buy that's
destined for shelf storage. Then I know just how long those cans of
condensed and evaporated milk have been around. Not to mention the
soup, chili, tomatoes, barley (long term storage not an issue AFAIC),

Quoted message said:

and dry mixes. Then I can toss them with a clear conscience. [snip]

I think there's a bit of a dichotomy on this topic, sort of the harvest
and store mindset versus the hunter-gatherer. There are perhaps not as
many of the latter, but we never (almost never) keep anything so long
it might overstay its storage welcome. Here, for example, we *always*
have evaporated milk and canned tomatoes and dried pasta and canned
tuna on our shelves. None of it is *ever* more than a month old.
Anything that we might not need for several months is not in our
cupboards in the first place. We'd rather have to go get it than peer
into dark corners looking for a dusty can or jar, whether we've marked
it with a date or not.

Not saying there's anything wrong with either approach, just think
there's a basic attitudinal difference....And I realize, of course,
that we're talking to the jam goddess here, but even there -- if we had
it, we'd eat it, and then go get more.

-aem

<g> The condensed and evaporated milk and canned pumpkin things seem to
come abuot when I decide to make something using the ingredient, make
sure (i.e., purchase) I have the ingredient and then, for whatever
reason, don't make it. Want some canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, and
condensed milk? I'm your girl.
--
-Barb
<www.jamlady.eboard.com>; Sam pics added 2-7-05
"I got the motive, which is money; and the body, which is dead!" - Rod
Steiger as Sheriff Gillespie, "In the Heat of the Night," 1967.

Melba's Jammin said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

aem said:

Melba's Jammin said:

[snip] I mark the purchase
date (month and year, usually) on nearly everything I buy that's
destined for shelf storage. Then I know just how long those cans

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

condensed and evaporated milk have been around. Not to mention

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

soup, chili, tomatoes, barley (long term storage not an issue

AFAIC),

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and dry mixes. Then I can toss them with a clear conscience.

[snip]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I think there's a bit of a dichotomy on this topic, sort of the

harvest

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and store mindset versus the hunter-gatherer. There are perhaps

not as

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

many of the latter, but we never (almost never) keep anything so

long

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

it might overstay its storage welcome. Here, for example, we

*always*

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

have evaporated milk and canned tomatoes and dried pasta and canned
tuna on our shelves. None of it is *ever* more than a month old.
Anything that we might not need for several months is not in our
cupboards in the first place. We'd rather have to go get it than

peer

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

into dark corners looking for a dusty can or jar, whether we've

marked

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

it with a date or not.

Not saying there's anything wrong with either approach, just think
there's a basic attitudinal difference....And I realize, of course,
that we're talking to the jam goddess here, but even there -- if we

had

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

it, we'd eat it, and then go get more.

-aem

<g> The condensed and evaporated milk and canned pumpkin things seem

to

Quoted message said:

come abuot when I decide to make something using the ingredient, make

Quoted message said:

sure (i.e., purchase) I have the ingredient and then, for whatever
reason, don't make it. Want some canned pumpkin, evaporated milk,

and

Quoted message said:

condensed milk? I'm your girl.
--
-Barb

Hmm, so hard to decide... right or left! hehe