I hate to run out of my favorite spices. So when I notice I’m getting low on something, I put it on my shopping list. I buy it and tuck it away in the “galley spares” locker.
Then a week or so later, I once again notice that I’m gettting low on x, and put it on the list. And buy it. Then, when I go to put it away, it hits me that I bought it last week and now have two. Or three. Oops.
I do this with other things as well, but spices are probably the worst since they lose their flavor over time. And lose it more rapidly with heat and humidity, both of which we have in abundance on the boat.
So basically I’ve just wasted money by buying more spares than I need. I hate that.
Okay, I could always check the spares locker before putting something on the grocery list. But I just don’t do that as I’m in the middle of cooking a meal, and I totally forget it before going shopping.
But I finally did figure out a way to let myself know that I already have a spare on hand. And it’s so simple that I could kick myself for not firguring it out years ago. It’s just a simple “X”
As I’m putting provisions away, if something is a spare I simply make an “X” on the one that’s in use. Then I know that I’ve already bought a spare and don’t need to buy a new one. For black caps, I use the white liquid chalk marker that I use for keeping track of what’s in the refrigerator (bonus as it’s already out in the galley, which means that I use it for other colors of lids too).
Suddenly, a don’t have two (or three or six) of anything. Less space taken up and nothing going bad before we eat it — I love it!
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Simplify meal prep on board with proven strategies for provisioning, maximizing fridge space, and cooking delicious meals aboard your boat.
S/V Dos Libras says
Great idea. Share this with Frugal Female Sailor group!
The Boat Galley says
Please do!
CJ Schnier says
I use pretty much the exact same system only electronically. I have to keep a list of what I have onboard for spices in my phone or I’ll end up buying several extras. I put an * next to whatever I’m running low on and delete it when I pick it up at the store. Since I use my phone to create my shopping lists anyways, this works great for me.
Allison Cordle says
Genius!!
Frances Liz Fernandez says
Simple. great idea. I’ve had several jars of peanut butter (BOGO). I turned the unopened jars upside down to help me remember which one to use.
The Boat Galley says
Good idea! I have multiple butane lighters for the stove and put a piece of orange tape on the one in use.
Jane Gammons says
Great Idea for home too. Thanks
the grocer list on the phone is a good idea too.
I just haven’t gotten to that stage in the electronic age.
Barbara Hart says
Great idea! When we were first married, many years ago, for some reason I kept buying cans of green beans. Now, any item I’ve overbought is “the beans of the week”.
susanlynn says
Carolyn,
This would be great for vitamins also, especially since I order them to be shipped and sometimes order two of something to make it to the free shipping total. Thanks.
…………susanlynn
Chrystal Lakeway Henthorne says
Bandaids….argh!!
Lauren Reese Dehaan says
Great idea!
Forever Living Irie says
Great idea!! Thanks for the tip! 🙂
Patty Makowski says
I also use my phone for grocery lists and every other list. Currently, my memo pad also has lists for Clothing, Hardware, Costco, Boat Stores, Walmart, Ikea, Dollar Store and Drug Store. We’re living aboard and the nearest largish town is 25 miles away, so forgetting something can be expensive. I’m never without my phone (is that a good thing or a bad thing??) so the list I need is always with me.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I have a similar bunch of lists on my phone!
Frances Liz Fernandez says
Clever girl
Dawn Read says
I label with sharpie a number like this…
1/2 or 2/2, meaning, one of two and two of two.
If I get low on 2/2, I buy one or two more, and I mark them the same and put them away.
Once the 2/2 is gone, there is another 1/2 ready in the cupboard.
Sherri Brenner says
That’s pretty clever. I think I will try it
Kiyomi Camp says
This is brilliant! I always do this at home. It will work with all those other things that I buy too many of, too!
Dan N Jaye says
Clever one, Carolyn — (from someone with 4 spare jars of smoked paprika in the back storage…) :-/
Keith Allen says
Wait, can one really have too much garlic powder?
Tod Mills says
I have a free app on my smart phone called Color Note, and one of my lists is a grocery shopping list. It takes a little time to have everything on the list (and I add things as I think of them) but once on, I keep everything crossed off except what I need to buy. As I buy them, I cross them off again. Easier than writing up lists each time.
Lynne says
Yes! I use the same app & use it the same way!