Fridge Admin - I have created a leftovers shelf - am I genius or does everyone do this?

[mummymafia]

I'm forever putting left over bits & bobs in the fridge then finding them 3 weeks later with a soft layer of mould on them . Now the kids are back at school I am using my non 'working' day to have a bit of a clear up/chuck out & had a genius idea of having a dedicated shelf in the fridge for left-overs. I wanted to share this ground breaking idea of mine but then thought that I might not be the first to think of such a thing. Any other genius fridge/store cupboard admin ideas?

I've sometimes thought of, but never done, putting dated post-its on things once opened (e.g. they say "eat within 2 days/2months of opening"). Or maybe a marker pen.

I normally put stuff that wants eating right at the front of the fridge, so people eat them first/I remember they're there. Seems to work alright.

'New' stuff is hidden at the back, so it doesn't get eaten first.

We don't have leftovers in this house, our 17yo makes sure of that! But it sounds like a good idea. Maybe with PigletJohn's post it saying "Eat Me Before Monday!".

I read about someone having a covered "soup depot" where all the scrappy bits that would later get boiled up were kept (bacon rinds, rubbery carrots etc.). It did not sound nice...

"soup depot" may be located in the freezer!

I use different shelves in the fridge to store unopened items, opened/half-used items and leftovers.

I'm liking the sound of a soup depot in the freezer. I've just had an AGA fitted so lots of opportunities there!

well i keep my eggs in a basket out of the fridge

when i buy new ones i mark the old ones with a black marker so i know to use first