Supply Journal, anyone done this?

[Sunny]

Well my aunt makes a list of all her home canned goods. She writes down when she cans and how much. Then when its time to can again. She counts how many are left from the year before. Then she knows how much is used. And about how much has to be replaced.

She even draws out a map of her garden every year. That way she knows exactly where every thing was planted. That way she can properly do crop rotations.

Ive started making my list of canned goods in my house. That way I know when Im getting low on stuff. But its not as good as my aunts system, yet.

 

[EggsForIHOP]

You know....I keep track of all kinds of stuff at work, like for ordering and such...but the thought had never really crossed my mind to do this at home until now! I think I shall begin to do so...I really wish I could find a spreadsheet or some such to track this on the computer...but until then I will stick with a notebook! Dug one out today that I had hung onto but not used....so that's a start! I like this clever idea! We really trimmed A LOT at my job and are now meeting our budget MUCH EASIER by doing this...Thanks so much for the clever idea!!!

 

[valmom]

ORchick- how do you get the dates to pull up together? I am a computer/spreadsheet dunce. Never have had to use them yet for work, so I haven't learned. That sounds like a great idea- I can add my soap notes to it.

 

[lorihadams]

I need to make a journal of what's in my BIG freezer. That way I know what is in the bottom before I forget. I need to keep a list of what I pay on things too....that would be a good homeschooling project for me and the kids!

 

[ORChick]

ORchick- how do you get the dates to pull up together? I am a computer/spreadsheet dunce. Never have had to use them yet for work, so I haven't learned. That sounds like a great idea- I can add my soap notes to it.

My notes are in a document file, so its like a page of writing paper, not a spreadsheet. I have a file "Garden Notes", and then sub files, one per month. I pull up "June" and have general notes for the month at the top of the "page". Below that is the dated list, and I just plug in this year's note below the same date from last year. Thusly:

6/25/07 Sunny HI 85.0, LO 49.0
6/25/08 Sunny HI 86.9, LO 48.6
6/25/09 Gray and cloudy in the a.m., mostly sunny later HI 82.6, LO 55.8
6/25/10 Partly cloudy in the a.m., then sunny HI 82.1, 54.5

6/26/07 Sunny in a.m. Trip to Portland
6/26/08 - 3rd Quarter Moon Overcast in am, clearing by midday HI 78.7, LO 58.1
6/26/09 Partly sunny in the morning , sunny later HI 85.0, LO 51.3
6/26/10 Full Strawberry Moon Overcast, cooler

Tomorrow morning I will check the max-min thermometer, and put in the temps for today, as well as any notes I might find useful in future years. The file for June now has 6 "pages" in it, after4 years; it just expands as needed.

Hope that explains it

 

[ORChick]

I need to make a journal of what's in my BIG freezer. That way I know what is in the bottom before I forget. I need to keep a list of what I pay on things too....that would be a good homeschooling project for me and the kids!

Now this one I DO have a spreadsheet for, just because the columns make it easier to organize. I have several freezers - one (with the 'fridge) in the kitchen and 3 more downstairs. I have to have some sort of record so that I know which one to go to when I need something. I have a section "Beef" (for example). Under that heading, in column "A", are listed the different cuts that I have - ground, chuck roast, shanks, etc. Column "B" is the # for the freezer (#1, 2. 3. or 4). Column "C" is the type of packaging (mostly the same for meat, of course, but for stocks/soups I might have "yogurt" for a recycled yogurt container, or "glass jar"; whatever gives me an idea of what to look for). Column "D" would be how many are there (I just number them - 1234, and cross off the numbers as I use them). Column "E" is when it went in, and Column "F" is the "use by" date. When I defrost the freezers (at least once, usually twice a year) I make a note of everything in there, bring the master list (on the computer) up to date, use the spreadsheet function to alphabetize it, and print it out. This list gets clipped to the 'fridge. Whenever anything goes in or comes out I mark the paper list. Over time things get moved, or forgotten, or otherwise not recorded, which is why I have to update when I defrost. One could skip the paper list, and just do it all on the computer, but I find that really annoying when I am cooking - paper and pen work best for me. It sounds more complicated than it is. I used to have it all hand written on paper, until DH showed me how to put it on the spreadsheet. I should think that another column with "cost" might be useful as well.

 

[valmom]

Thank you, ORChick- you would think I could have figured that out...

 

[laurehnjames]

You know, I actually tried this before but it kind of didnt work for me coz I always forgot to write stuff. But now that you mentioned it, I think I will use this method again. Thanks for sharing casino action

 

[Farmfresh]

I find that I keep better records if all I have to do is make a check mark or a brief note.

My canning journal is set up with spaces for all of the usual things I can various jar sizes to choose from and lines for new stuff.

All I have to do is place a number in a box for jars finished or make a quick note while in the heat of things. Later the info can be complied into a spreadsheet.

 

[Henrietta23]

You know, I actually tried this before but it kind of didnt work for me coz I always forgot to write stuff. But now that you mentioned it, I think I will use this method again. Thanks for sharing casino action