Dear Heloise: During my preparations for moving, I was appalled at how I had overlooked so many food items that had become outdated. While trying to determine some of the tiny expiration dates on the bottoms of spice bottles, I thought of a way to make it easier to see and remember the expiration dates: use peel-off computer labels!
Here's what I did: I made up large and small mailing labels on the computer with the following items on them, followed by lines to be filled in by hand before putting the items away. They are:
D.O.P.: Date of purchase. Handy to know when there is an undecipherable code date on the item.
Use by: The actual expiration date. If unable to find the date, the Internet has informational sites that list the shelf life of most common grocery items.
From: Where it was purchased. Handy to know, when it is a new item.
Fill out the labels as you are putting away the groceries. This is similar to the freezer labels that we use. Don't know why it took so long for me to think this one up. Hope this helps someone out there. — Sandy from Wisconsin
Sandy, sounds like you have organization and labeling down to an art! Your hint will be helpful to one and all — thanks for sharing. — Heloise
Dear Heloise: Many times when using a public restroom, I find out too late that there is no toilet tissue. I'm sure this has happened to many of us ladies.
In order to avoid this problem, reach for the tissue before preparing to use the toilet. You quickly and conveniently learn if there is tissue in that stall, and then you can go to another stall if need be. — Gloria, Winter Haven, Fla.
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