Today was a very busy day for us. I was able to scratch off the most important “To Do’s" on my list. 
Today I…
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Cleaned two Bathrooms (not tubs, just sinks, counter tops, mirrors and toilets)
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Washed two loads of laundry, folded and put away
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Did the mountain of dishes in my sink, emptied dishwasher and reloaded it ~ While Micah attempted to do his reading lesson and fiddled on for over an hour fidgeting and sitting very restlessly. I was very annoyed that it took him so long and I have promised myself to never again do this lesson “After lunch”.
First thing in the morning is the best time for us.
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Lastly, I cleaned out the pantry again!

I am amazed at how much food we collect, we forget we have and we waste!! I was ashamed at all the food I had let expire and had to throw out. I had duplicates of so much because I forget its back there and I go out and buy more! So today’s frugal lesson is keep a clean, neat and well-inventoried pantry!!! I was shocked to see how much $$$ I was literally throwing away; we do the same with the stuff in the fridge. It’s my own carelessness and laziness, as I can never seem to keep the pantry neat. I know that if I put things back in their proper place it would be fine but I never do!! So it is clean once again and I am really going to try hard to keep it stocked, clean and neat! Keeping a well-stocked and tidy pantry will save you time and money!!!

I am printing my Pantry inventory sheet and I am taping it to my pantry door, so I will know what I have on hand and when I have run out of something.
Before cleaning you could not see the tops of the pantry shelves everything was a huge mess. I could find a thing! This is much better!

Here is a great Pantry inventory sheet to print out!
More great Kitchen printables can be found HERE.
Here are some great shopping helps and sheets to print out for a more Frugal shopping experience!
For a list of items to keep in a “healthy” well-stocked pantry go HERE!
RECOMMENDED TIMES FOR FOOD STORED IN COOL, DRY PANTRY (65 TO 70 ºF) | |
| FOOD ITEM |
SHELF LIFE |
| Canned fruits, juices, tomatoes, pickles |
12-18 months |
| Canned meats and vegetables |
2-5 years |
| Home-canned foods |
1 year |
| Onions |
1-3 months at room temperature or below |
| Potatoes |
1-3 months at 45-50 ºF 1 week at room temperature |
| Squash, hard-rinds |
1-3 months at 60 ºF 1 week at room temperature |
| Sweet Potatoes |
1-3 months at 60 ºF 1 week at room temperature |
| THE FOLLOWING FOODS SHOULD BE STORED IN TIGHTLY SEALED OR AIRTIGHT CONTAINERS: | |
| STAPLES | |
| Bread Crumbs |
4 months |
| Brown Rice |
6 months |
| Cornmeal and hominy grits |
12 months |
| Honey and syrups |
1 year |
| Nonfat dry milk |
1 year |
| Olive oil |
6 months |
| Pasta |
1-2 years |
| Rice |
1 year |
| Shortening |
2 years |
| Sugar, Granulated |
indefinitely |
| Sugar, brown or powdered |
18 months |
| Vegetable oil |
1 year |
| Wheat germ (unopened) |
8-12 months |
| White flour |
10-15 months |
| Whole wheat flour |
3 months (best in refrigerator or freezer) |
| Wild rice |
6 months |
| PACKAGED FOODS | |
| Baking mix (biscuit, cake) |
6 months |
| Cereals |
12 months |
| Soup mix (dry) |
12 months |
| DRIED FOODS | |
| Dried apricots |
3 months (refrigerate after opening) |
| Dried prunes, raisins |
9 months (refrigerate after opening) |
| Dried peas and beans |
1 year |
| HERBS, SPICES, & CONDIMENTS | |
| Salt, cream of tarter |
indefinitely |
| Ground spices and herbs |
2-3 years |
| Whole spices |
4-5 years |
| Tabasco, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce |
30 months |
| BEVERAGES (SEALED, UNOPENED) | |
| Bottled Water |
2-5 years |
| Juices |
12-18 Months |
| Soft drinks |
8 months |
| MISCELLANEOUS | |
| Chocolate |
2 years |
| Chocolate chips, cocoa |
18 months |
| Coffee (canned) |
12 months |
| Nuts (unshelled) |
6-12 months |
| Peanut butter |
3-4 months (best refrigerated) |
| Tapioca |
4 years |
| Tea |
18 months |
| Bread and Cakes: Store breads and cakes at room temperature. Storing in the refrigerator promotes staling. Use within 3-7 days or freeze. | |


Don’t forget about Holiday Open House! Mister Linky will be up on Monday Dec. 3rd! All Mama Bloggers are welcome! Join us for some Christmas fun!!!
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Have a great weekend everyone!!!


Thank you for sharing this, I am pretty good at keeping up with the pantry but, it always seem in a mess though. Thanks again.
SheilaSheila
08:00 PM CST