What the Hell is a One-Up?
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (89914)
United States
February 18, 2023 7:33pm CST
I run my "pantry" like a business. Over the years this has simply served me well and saves me a ton of money. Because I know what I have, what I need, and where to buy it for the best price, and always keep a steady supply.
I keep so much "down," in the overflow cabinet and keep so much "up" in the main cabinet.
When things come "up" from "down," they go on the "list."
I have set amounts of things we keep from mushroom pieces and stems to frozen veggies, baked beans and whatever else.
There are cabinets down, and a freezer down. There are cabinets and freezers up. Everything from canned goods to meat to veggies to whatever else are carefully monitored, inventoried, and supplied according to need.
And shopping is all coordinated to what is needed and who has the best price.
Yes, I am anal retentive, but this "plan" has helped to fuel my savings and having more money and never needing to spend more than I need to on anything.
But I also have "one-ups." That is, anything we do not need overstock of. Tartar sauce, ketchup, mustards, Parmesan cheese. These are all one-ups, and we only add those to the list when we take one out of the pantry and add it to the "being used" pile.
We replace it as we open it. That's a one-up.
And like anything else, we know where to buy it to get the best price. So, once a "one-up" is opened and in use, we have plenty of time to replace it at the right price.
It may sound crazy, but I am telling you...it saves money. It keeps us focused. It keeps us on top of things. And we never spend more than we need to, and we never run out of anything being forced to buy it suddenly at a higher price because we need it.
Saving money is about being vigilant and thinking ahead and constantly monitoring things. If all you do is fly by the seat of your pants, pennies disappear and you waste money.
I never want to do that, and I have no interest in doing that.
16 people like this
16 responses
@moffittjc (121540)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Feb 23
I don't keep a well-stocked pantry. Because if I did, it would all get devoured in a day or two. lol
I meal plan and then get just what I need for the meal.
And sometimes (it's been a long time since I've done this), I will just make my shopping list based solely on what coupons are available on the ibotta app.
My daughter does her grocery shopping based on what is on BOGO at the grocery store. We've had some interesting meals because of the way she shops. haha
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121540)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Feb 23
@porwest I barely ever spend money on groceries. I find ways to eat for free. Lol
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160600)
• United States
19 Feb 23
I enjoy having handy back stocks of things. It is smart and saves on big grocery trips. Only buying on sale and at good price.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (69186)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Feb 23
That's a smart way to shop. My husband and I do pretty well when it comes to the store. I am always asking about the price of things, to help us save money. By doing so, I've made my food card stretch.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (69186)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
18 Jan
@porwest Yeah, I know what you mean. And, we do.
1 person likes this
@porwest (89914)
• United States
18 Jan
@kaylachan Nothing more comforting than knowing if the next paycheck doesn't come, it doesn't matter.
@RasmaSandra (79621)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20 Feb 23
Best of luck to you and I hope it works well for you,
2 people like this
@porwest (89914)
• United States
19 Feb 23
Having space certainly helps to maintain things better. Luckily I am also very aware of how much I am willing to pay for things, so I am better able to realize a good deal when I see it and take better advantage of it. And of course save more money.
For example, take pork steaks. My threshold price is $1.94 per pound. I never buy over that amount. And when I see a deal, like I did the other day at Schnucks where they were on sale for $1.49, I make it a point to buy more.
But I don't stop there. Right next to the pork steaks were pork BUTT steaks (which are essentially the same thing for all intents and purposes, just a very slightly different cut) for $1.29 per pound, and I grabbed those and extras of those instead. The savings add up.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (89832)
• Arvada, Colorado
19 Feb 23
You my friend, are an ultimate survivor.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89832)
• Arvada, Colorado
20 Feb 23
@porwest I see a great survivor..you are a wise man Jim. More power to you.
@LindaOHio (177782)
• United States
19 Feb 23
That's why my husband's method makes me crazy. Every spot is always full up with merchandise. We have no room in our large pantry or fridge freezer. We cleaned out the chest freezer and threw away hundreds of dollars worth of meat. It made me want to cry.
@thislittlepennyearns (62051)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
19 Feb 23
I meal plan most of the time and plan lists and pantry accordingly.
This week when we have extra money from tax money I will stock the pantries and freezers to full. So that I don't have to worry about stuff for a few months.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37098)
•
19 Feb 23
I do this, at least very similar. I have to be creative about storage. There is nothing worse than wanting to cook something and being out of basic ingredients. All dry goods and the canned things that I do use are kept at a certain level that is good for us. I keep track and replenish it as needed. If something I use constantly is found to be on sale at a good price, I get it if I can, why pay more in a week if I don't have to. I check the clearance sections every time, too. Sometimes I can really find some great things in those clearance isles. A few months ago, I got 14 bags of Starbuck's brand coffee for $1 per bag. Cheaper than any other coffee I've seen, probably ever. Sometimes, you just have to take advantage of a really good bargain. So, I do.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37098)
•
19 Feb 23
@Fleura
I completely agree. I want a good supply of basic ingredients, I want to be able to put a meal together whenever it's needed without going to the store.
1 person likes this
@Barongo (29)
• Nairobi, Kenya
19 Feb 23
That's awesome. This system has resulted in significant savings and reduced waste.
@LadyDuck (471253)
• Switzerland
19 Feb 23
I am glad to see that I am not the only one doing this. I buy what I know we commonly use when "on sale".
I keep a list of non perishable goods with their expiry date.
I have a list of what there is in our freezers and what there is in the refrigerator. I know that this is the best way not to waste money.
@Gguusia (398)
• Poland
19 Feb 23
It's a good way to plan purchases, I'm just starting to learn and implement it myself.
