Diet, Nutrition and SupplementationPost here for supplement reviews or nutritional advice. If you're trying to get "ripped abz" THIS is where you should be.
I'm so SICK of buying little things of this and that because I can't find them when I need them (and yes, don't have the patience to really get down and look!!).. LOL
I must have 20 lbs of sea salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, curry paste, steak rub, etc in my pantry and cold storage room..
Anyone know of any good PC software for tabulating what you have for groceries, how much of it, and where the $#@! it is?
It'd be cool if you could punch in a recipe, and it would spit out what you have, and what you need..
The problem with inventory systems is that you have to log in and log out everything. And then you have to do a periodic physical inventory to true it all up.
That said, my rule for computer systems is that first you need to have a system and then you can computerize it.
The system is going to be to inventory each item and quantity, and where it is.. I'd rather type it out and have it on a computer, rather than a piece of paper or something..
I'd have no trouble taking inventory and updating it, but I want some kind of software that will help with keeping track of stuff..
ie. keep track of when stuff is going to expire, so it can be used up, etc..
Yeah, I came up with both of those, but I want to hear from someone who actually uses, or has used, such a software program, and has liked it (user-friendly, intuitive)..
btw, the "make life easy one" is an online one, and they aren't accepting any new subscribers..
It probably is quicker and easier to set up a system of putting things into some sort of quasi-logical order in storage. I try to keep it from becoming very complicated, otherwise it collapses. But it is an old merchandisers' trick. Always put things in the same place and it is easy to tell when you are about to run out. And actually even if you decide to do it with a computer you are going to have to record where it is stored, and be sure and put it there. This is where computer aids to storage fall down.
^^ that's sort of what I meant - you have to have a system first.
Something as simple as top shelf pasta, 2nd shelf spices and herbs, 3rd canned fruit, 4th canned beans, 5th dry grains and dry beans, 6th sugars, flours and mixes, etc. Of course, how many areas and much space you need for what type of item depends on what you make use of and what makes sense.
Then you have to organize the areas so you can see what is there and get it out without having to move too much stuff around. And you always put stuff where it belongs.
You can make a list in a spreadsheet. If you update it on the computer, you can sort by columns after updating quantity in stock, quantity to order, dates, priority, etc. Have a field for "purchase yes/no", sort by that, and print your list.
I'm all about simplifying. Instead of constantly keeping track with an "inventory system", I just add an item to the grocery list when I start getting low on that item. Basically, I decide how much of that item I want to keep in stock, and then when it's in danger of going beneath that number, I add it to the grocery list.
The running grocery list can be posted up on the refrigerator with a magnet. Then just take the list to the store on grocery day and buy everything on the list. Then just post up a new list when home and putting the groceries away.
Newer items get stored behind the older items so that the older items get used up first. Since I don't store most things for years at a time, expiration dates really aren't a factor. The stuff gets used before the date happens.
The problem I've found with all of these "inventory systems" is that they are very difficult to keep up with once the "newness factor" goes away, and then it just becomes yet another chore, and then it ends up just not happening.
I'm all about simplifying. Instead of constantly keeping track with an "inventory system", I just add an item to the grocery list when I start getting low on that item. Basically, I decide how much of that item I want to keep in stock, and then when it's in danger of going beneath that number, I add it to the grocery list.
I do this too. At work this is called a 'par level' system, and you build up to par each time. I suppose the same rule applies on a lower scale.
I also organize my cabinets, spices with spices, flours and pastas on one shelf, etc. I know where I put everything, so I know where to go to look for it.
Also, I write the date in Sharpie on everything that I open. No joke. If the shape of it prohibits me from being able to write a date on it, I put it in a ziploc baggie and write the date on the bag.
For things like tuna (that I use a lot) I buy the whole box when I go to the store and so I take the little box store display with me (off the shelf) and put it in my cabinet in the little mini-display box.
For 'new' things that I want to buy, I write myself a note on my refrigerator grocery store list.
Funny. I guess you really DO turn into your mother afterall
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I find that if I have things well-organized at home and on shelves where it's visible instead having to hunt for things, then it becomes a non-issue. Maybe go through your pantry and any cupboards and toss/donate stuff you're not eating anymore and then use the new-found space to get things better organized and more at-hand. I'll bet you'll be surprized at the space you end up with once you trash the crap.
Always put things in the same place and it is easy to tell when you are about to run out.
Yeah, that's a big problem..
Even if I remember to put it back in the same spot, my wife won't.. LOL
But if I had at least something telling me it IS in the house SOMEWHERE (we'd have to make sure to cross stuff off as we use it up)..
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You can make a list in a spreadsheet. If you update it on the computer, you can sort by columns after updating quantity in stock, quantity to order, dates, priority, etc. Have a field for "purchase yes/no", sort by that, and print your list.
Something where I can just type in what I need, and it'll pop up would be better.. So I'm not looking through 3-4 sheets of paper all the time looking for something, or making sure when I'm inputting items that it's in alphabetical order.. Dunno if a spreadsheet does this.. And even if it did, it's been many a year since Data Processing 12..
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The problem I've found with all of these "inventory systems" is that they are very difficult to keep up with once the "newness factor" goes away, and then it just becomes yet another chore, and then it ends up just not happening.
True.. Big possibility..
We're moving into a bigger space with lots of kitchen space and a large cold room, so that should make finding things easier..
I guess we'll see once we've settled in and have everything in it's place wether it's still an issue..
What does your wife think about your hurtling to the OCD diet realm?
Meh, she's ok with it, NOW that I'm off RFL finally, and have the goods to convince her it was all worth it..
Now I try just to just weigh things and keep track of them on Fitday, but not get too crazy when it comes family meals (I'm not picking the shrimp out of the stir fry and weighing it separately)..
Good grocery inventory software?
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