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Re:
You're quite welcome, mariss. Yeah, I know plenty of people who have turned their basements into "storage areas," compiling item after item that they may never use! If they are paper products, that's one thing. But I've always hated to waste food, something that many people out there just don't seem overly concerned with anymore . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on August 16, 2013 at 11:01 AM
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Re: The item on the shelf that derails you
Not necessarily, Setaki. Yes, there are certain "temptations" that we should probably avoid no matter what, but this adage is basically referring to items you may use almost daily, like butter or a certain spice. I think it's still better to have than to have not . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on August 16, 2013 at 10:59 AM
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Good idea to be prepared. On the flip side, I overdo it and get more than I need or things I know better than to get, another category called waste, vs. preparedness. I liked your comment on the editing, I was already backing off from overworking it!
posted by
mariss9
on August 16, 2013 at 10:48 AM
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The item on the shelf that derails you
It is usually forbidden fruit; an item your Doctor has told you not to touch.
posted by
Setaki
on August 16, 2013 at 9:18 AM
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Re:
See, TAPS? And I'll bet you regretted it later too, huh? Remember: a bird in the hand . . . oh, wait, that's a different adage! But it does have its parallels . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on August 16, 2013 at 5:09 AM
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Re:
There ya go, MsJudy! Isn't it great when you can apply simple logic to something as relatively mundane as food shopping? That's how I like to approach most things in life . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on August 16, 2013 at 5:05 AM
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If I don't, I usually wish I had after I get home.
posted by
TAPS.
on August 16, 2013 at 12:31 AM
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That's my motto too! lol
posted by
MsJudy
on August 15, 2013 at 1:21 PM
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Re:
Two hundred, lustor? Geez, just how many pantries do you have in your house? Sometimes my wife and I will forget our list too, but doing a "once over" of our supplies usually helps anyway! Besides, we only have so much to spend as it is . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on August 15, 2013 at 10:25 AM
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I always forget to write a list and go for two things and come back with two hundered things
posted by
Lanetay
on August 15, 2013 at 9:02 AM
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Re:
Well, that's true too, Blue feathers. Many people go food shopping with a certain amount in mind that they'd like to spend, like my wife and me. But if it's a relatively necessary item that you're just not sure whether you need it or not, and is only a couple of dollars, I still say you're probably better off getting it, just in case . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on August 15, 2013 at 8:22 AM
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Re:
I would think, Dr JPT, that it would depend on what those items were. For example, if you had just done a lot of cooking and baking, and had used a lot of, say, salt, that might be something you would grab an extra one if you weren't entirely sure if you still had enough of or not. This rule would probably apply to the "basics," not necessarily the "luxury items," like desserts and such. However, if you don't think it would work for you, that's fine too. But if one day you run out of something after you had the chance to pick one up, don't say I didn't tell you so . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on August 15, 2013 at 8:17 AM
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Re: awesome!!
Thanks, Lost. I believe this one can be chalked up to "simple logic." Feel free to use it anytime . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on August 15, 2013 at 8:11 AM
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Re:
I can understand that, Utah. Many people seem to take their food for granted, not taking into consideration the thousands and thousands of people who would give their left arms for just whatever you have in your pantry right now! My wife and I have a fixed amount we try to spend on grocery shopping each week, and go over our "supplies" very intently. It's actually very rare that we face this scenario of not being sure if we need something or not while at the grocery store. But when we do . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on August 15, 2013 at 8:10 AM
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I tend to agree with your adage.. if it fits in the budget 
posted by
Blue_feathers
on August 15, 2013 at 8:09 AM
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Re: Jimmy
Believe it or not, Naut, I think "foraging" might be a dangerous word to use when it comes to food shopping! It seems as though one of two things may happen: you'll either end up with a whole bunch of stuff you really had no need of ( like bacon-flavored asparagus or garlic-on-a-stick ) or else you'll miss altogether those things you really needed ( like bread, eggs and milk ). Just like with jungle excursions or military campaigns, you need to have at least some plan of action ahead of time . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on August 15, 2013 at 8:06 AM
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Re:
Thanks, adnohr. Although I believe my adage is sound, part of it still lies with keeping a decent account of what you do already have! I can see ending up with at least 2 of 'it,' but when it hits 4, it's probably time to break out whatever 'it' is and cook it up! Our cupboards aren't usually that big . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on August 15, 2013 at 8:00 AM
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Re:
Thanks, Kabu. And believe it or not, I have read on several occasions that it is a good idea to eat something before you go food shopping! You'll be less likely to "overspend" that way. But when you come face to face with that one product that you're not sure you need, I still say, go ahead and get it . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on August 15, 2013 at 7:58 AM
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Re:
Fifty-fifty, C C T? That's it? The "user" gets the same amount as the "inventor?" Hmmm . . . I might be willing to go eighty-twenty, and I think even that is being overly generous! I'll draw up the contracts and send them right over . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on August 15, 2013 at 7:55 AM
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Re:
Why not, FSI? It just seems to make more sense to have something when you don't necessarily need it as opposed to not having it when you do! With the way preservatives are added to most food items these days, they should last a long time in storage . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on August 15, 2013 at 7:53 AM
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As usual, I am different. I do not get because my husband brings all these extra things that I have to get rid of because I do not like multiple things of the same. Good slogan, it just do not work for me.
posted by
Dr_JPT
on August 15, 2013 at 7:33 AM
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awesome!!
Good rule!
posted by
SomeoneElse
on August 14, 2013 at 3:35 PM
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Now that we are on fixed income we have had to change the way we shop, and I thank the good Lord each day for my food storage, you know, that buying of an item when we didn't need it.
posted by
UtahJay
on August 14, 2013 at 12:56 PM
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Jimmy
I admire you for your systematic pre-shopping preparations, as well-planned as an excursion into the jungle or even a military campaign! Mind you, I never do the main shopping around here, but even if I did, I would probably just plunge in, just sort of foraging...
posted by
Nautikos
on August 14, 2013 at 12:20 PM
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I usually do just that, get 'it'. And often end up with 3 or 4 of 'it' taking up space in the cupboard. And you just wrote a whole post about 'it', and an interesting one to boot.
posted by
adnohr
on August 14, 2013 at 11:43 AM
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I have just one rule to keep me from the rubbish aisles....Eat before I shop!!!LOl...great Post.
posted by
Kabu
on August 14, 2013 at 11:18 AM
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Gosh thanks Jimmy, If I make a fortune using it I'll go fifty fifty
posted by
C_C_T
on August 14, 2013 at 11:08 AM
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I like that adage a lot. Like you, if I wonder if I should get something and it has a long shelf life, I will get it.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on August 14, 2013 at 9:29 AM
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