Clear Out the Clutter Challenge: Pantry

Clutter removal, day 3!  I'm taking part in the Clear Out the Clutter Challenge, hosted by Crystal over at Money Saving Mom. 

Check here for my clutter-clearing goals.  And I'm also giving away an organization book this week; click here to enter.

Previously I took on my kids' toys and my front hallway.  Next, time to clean out the pantry!

Cleaning out the pantry was like looking at my deal shopping's greatest hits.  There I found lots of food from my Albertson's closing sale trips, tons of Knox gelatin, some Muir Glen tomato paste that was a moneymaker, and lots of cheap pasta yet to be eaten.  It was nice to remember all the great deals that I've gotten in the past!  Still, I need to do a better job of consuming said deals - I wouldn't want the food to go past its expiration date.

Things weren't in too bad shape in the pantry, seeing as I had cleaned out before Passover.  But similar products were on several different shelves, so I grouped everything by type.  And I was surprised how much I had of certain things.  For instance, I was pretty sure I was down to my last can or two of mushrooms; instead, I had six cans!  So I don't need to go out and pay full price for them; I can wait for a good sale.  That's what Fishmama at Life as MOM means she says that cleaning can save you money.

Similarly, I grouped all the plasticware and paper plates, and I saw that I won't need to buy any for my daughter's upcoming birthday party.  Yay!   But I saw that I still have over a dozen cans of diced tomatoes with green chilies, and I have several cans of tomato sauce that I bought at Walgreens for 3/$1 with a $1/3 coupon.  I know I don't need to buy any more, even if an amazing deal comes around.

Doing this also showed me what was missing.  For instance, I'm down to my last can or two of fruit.  With fresh strawberry prices extremely low here in Florida, we've been feasting on them, but now I know to keep my eyes open for another canned fruit sale.

Overall, I was able to remove 23 cans or boxes of food, and I donated them to a food drive at my daughter's preschool sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women.  My daughter was so proud to be able to bring those items in and donate them - and it taught her a good lesson, too!