How are you storing and organising your Brexit stash?

[TeaByTheSeaside]

I started prepping before Christmas. I had a Brexit box in the garage. The problem is, as I've run out of stuff, I've borrowed from the Brexit Box so now have to buy it again.

I'm also struggling for space of where to store it all. Is it in your normal food cupboard or somewhere else entirely?

To be fair the first 4 books are great and then she lost the plot

My own made up theory is that she had a great editor for the first three books. The editor told her she was starting to ramble a bit and the plot was getting lost a bit in the fourth one. So she sacked her editor and allowed no proof reading for the fifth and the sixth, and her publishers let her get away with it, as they were always going to sell.

I do like all the descriptions of hide processing and flint knapping etc, though! The books might have influenced me to go study archaeology...

Anyway! I do also have some stackable plastic boxes too, including smaller ones for shelves (eg. OTC meds are in one), and I've been re-purposing some Ikea storage bags (I think they were sold for sorting out your recycling), to sort things and keep things in order on the shelves.

I'm storing in cupboards in our shed, anything not in a tin is in plastic crates. Shed is double locked with boarded up windows and never been broken into yet so am hopeful it will be ok. Critical stuff like nappies and formula are in the house though and the freezer and kitchen cupboards also kept full so that keep us going for a few weeks.
I really want another freezer in the shed but husband would think I was going OTT.

@Badly I think that’s a good theory.
Ayla was a good prepper anyway

New Ottoman bed with loads of under space storage!

www.happybeds.co.uk/phoenix-stone-grey-wooden-ottoman-storage-bed-frame-only-4ft6-double

I'm afraid regardless of how well prepared we are, our US cousins put us to shame!

Prepping for Brexit and general prepping are not the same thing. UK prepping and US prepping are not the same thing. However, we share ideas and do what works for us. Which I hope non-prepping-but-prepping-for-Brexit posters are doing on here.
Like the difference between putting a bit of lippy on when you can be arsed and going full warpaint on from 6.00 am.

I have a chest freezer, a pantry under the stairs and 20kg of rice in the utility.

I need help with this.

Ok, I've been getting a little extra each week in grocery order, not waiting till certain things run out to buy etc

Money is quite right but I have a little spare. Plus currently housebound due to agoraphobia (and yes the brexit stress is not helping) so mainly I use sainsburys online delivery & Amazon.

My real difficulty is storage! I have a HALF galley kitchen - ie bloody tiny! To the point the cupboards are 2/3 normal depth so my plate cupboard won't even shut properly 😡 given this flat is meant to potentially hold 2 adults & 2 kids (HA 2 double bedrooms, HUGE living room but stupidly tiny kitchen!) it's ridiculous. I don't even have much counter space, I have a "breakfast bar" nonsense on one side (only JUST deep enough for toaster/kettle) and a .75m X .75m the other.

I've got a couple of these folding crates from Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00JGSQ9OI/ref=yaawwohbiaadp?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm daft as currently they're at the end of my bed but this is awkward (small room) so I need to check if they'll fit UNDER the bed, I think they will. That way I can at least get more to fill.

And am planning to get more. But certain items are just easier to keep in the kitchen.

Currently I have a load of herbs/spices/flavourings cluttering up half of one cupboard, now yes it's partly cos it needs tidied but it's really not the ideal storage so if ingenious mners can suggest compact/alternative storage ideas I'd be grateful (not just for brexit either, currently it feels like the spice I want is ALWAYS the one at the bloody back and I have to take them ALL out to sodding find it!) nb I can't do screws fixings as I'm a renter.

While I'm on the subject I've this wine glass rack from wilko:

https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-glass-rack/p/0435931

Thing is it turns out it's just very slightly too wide & too deep, plus the glasses hanging down from the cupboard rather than solving storage issues means my workspace has been reduced because the cupboards quite low (this is actually ok as I'm a short arse!). So again, can more specially aware mners help me out?

Also I'm struggling to find large packs of cheap/thin loo roll. I've learnt over the years that the luxury stuff just clogs the loo!

I'm debating joining prime to access pantry - but I'll admit I don't exactly get how it works. My understanding is you somehow have to order to fill a certain size box? But as you can see from the rest of my post my spatial awareness is shite!

@Graphista - if you have lots of things in the cupboards that aren't very tall - ie. don't take much vertical shelf space - you could get or make some "half-shelves" in there. Ikea used to have some, but I can't find any on their website right now to link, but think a mini table that sits on a shelve, and you can put spices and other small things both under and on top of it, to create and extra "shelve". I'm sure those could be made from whatever make-shift stuff one can lay one's hands on.

Also I'm struggling to find large packs of cheap/thin loo roll. I've learnt over the years that the luxury stuff just clogs the loo!

Aldi has large packs of 2ply, if that's the kind of thing you're looking for. I know because I hate the stuff and want my nice, thick stuff, and have just been seeing the hateful 2ply!

We have a big shelf in the utility room (as wide and deep as the top of the washing machine and without enough clearance above to stack tins four or five high) and am filling it. I have a v technical list in an old notebook with what I have and expiry dates written down, and another list of additional things to get.

It's been a while since I added to it, but recent news has left me wanting to crack on and fill it. It's currently visible through a window but only to someone in the garden. I could clothes peg a towel or something over the window but I suspect that by the time someone is in the garden looking for food, this won't stop them coming in to search. Very much hope that won't be a problem though!

willdoitinaminute do you think looting & rioting will really happen? Genuine question. I’m concerned.

This is my "pantry" (which will probably post sideways, despite my best efforts).

Just doing a thorough clean and clear of the kitchen cupboards did free up a surprising amount of space. That's where my "in use" items live, and pasta and rice. Toiletries, household stuff (bin liners, laundry and cleaning etc) are in clear plastic boxes. Extra toilet rolls and kitchen rolls have taken up residence under the spare bed.

Nice work! Really nice work. I'm rather jealous @BadlyAgedMemes

@Graphista

Have you got “dead space” above your cups/plates? It so you can either put stuff under them (boxed food or even just shoe boxes or lunchboxes with stuff in). You can get hanging shelves and half shelf stands but I think they might not fit in your units (they didn’t in my half-galley) so I stacked shoeboxes to create mini-shelves in mine.

Prime pantry is quite good: you have up to a certain size, you don’t have to fill it. When you click on stuff it shows you what % of space is left. You can do a “dummy order” and see what you can get.

Toilet paper wise I get forlays from Lidl: it’s soft and thin but not too thin (and even my rubbish broken toilet flushes it)

This is maybe a bit stupid and simple, but something I've done and found useful: I've been using the plastic trays from some fruit, like grapes, as organisers for small things. Eg my multivitamins and meds are organised in them (inside largers boxes), without any extra cost.

@BadlyAgedMemes they are what I use to organise my “bits and bobs” draw! I use shoe boxes to organise my pants/socks/make up (etc) in my drawers too ;)

Badlyagedmemes thanks for the reply. Unfortunately Aldi isn't an option due to being housebound.

But I'll try searching using "2 ply" on Amazon.

Cupboards - I've tried using the things you mentioned but find they simply take up more room than they free. I THINK I may be able to free some space on the breakfast bar or the fridge freezer for a small rotating spice rack. Unless someone knows of a hanging under cupboard thing that might work for spices! That could work with my cupboard above the breakfast bar?

If I get this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cabinet-Kitchen-Cupboard-Storage-Dispenser/dp/B07JFS29DX/ref=mpssa112?ie=UTF8&qid=1548615809&sr=8-2-spons&pi=ACSX2366SY340QL65&keywords=under+cupboard+storage&psc=11_
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For the kitchen roll which currently lives on top of fridge freezer then that would free space there for a spice rack?

If I could find something like this:

https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-over-door-rack/p/04370877__
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But cupboard sized that'd be perfect
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"Have you got “dead space” above your cups/plates?" Nope! To the point when I'm drying and putting away dishes I have to do it a certain way to fit it all in! Cups are a particular problem as all different dimensions. If dd does it and does it "wrong" stuff falls out and gets broken!
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So I need to get something like this too (if only for my sanity!)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/OUNONA-Mutifunctional-Kitchen-Utensil-Hanging/dp/B071LJLQCV/ref=mpp_saa11?ie=UTF8&qid=1548617674&sr=8-1-spons&pi=ACCSX236SY3400_QL65&keywords=under+shelf+cup+holder&psc=1

"Prime pantry is quite good: you have up to a certain size, you don’t have to fill it. When you click on stuff it shows you what % of space is left. You can do a “dummy order” and see what you can get." Can I do a dummy order without being a prime member? I drink bottled water a lot (I know I know the greenies will flame me!) and I have noticed it would be MUCH cheaper bulk buying on Amazon but only pantry items.

You say you had a half galley so you know what I'm up against! I'd far rather have a smaller living room! Even when I was looking at private lets round here even larger properties still had TINY kitchens and bathrooms - why?! We only sit in living rooms, in bathrooms and especially kitchens we need ROOM to DO stuff - definitely designed by bloody men!!

"This is maybe a bit stupid and simple, but something I've done and found useful: I've been using the plastic trays from some fruit, like grapes, as organisers for small things." Ooh that's a good idea! If I git the kitchen roll holder I could use a grape punnet for the spices! On top the fridge/freezer - that ideas saved me a couple £ thanks

I'm hoping on Thursday to do a clear out/organisation as its my "bin day". I've made a small start today as groceries were delivered.

I've no idea why the underlining I don't even know HOW to underline

@Graphista depending on the style of your units you can get hanging shelves to go under them (will only work if you don’t have any mouldings etc under the unit) these sort of things www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Storage-Wall-Hanging-Shelf-Basket-Holder-Organiser-Cupboard-Kitchen-Rack-Cabinet-/232888288960

Can you put stuff in your living room then? Either behind furniture/book shelf, or in their own boxes: I use these sort of things as extra seating/coffee tables etc (also have a selection of “pretty” boxes and baskets for non-food item storage www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-38CM-Folding-Storage-Seat-Faux-Leather-Stool-Box-Leather-Foot-Stool-/152900633735

You could always move stuff you don’t need regularly (or spares) to somewhere else (wardrobe, under bed etc) and just leave the every day stuff in your kitchen. That’s how I had to do it, there was no way I could have managed otherwise.

Are we expecting Armageddon?? I just might get a couple of chunky kit last in just in case 😂😂😂

We have a cupboard that was full of all kinds mainly dh's stuff, i had a huge clear out and reorganised everything (watched too much Marie Kondo on Netflix 😂) and managed to get one side of the cupboard empty, bought a shelving unit and made a pantry that I've always wanted, so can stock up just incase but will also save us money next few months. Been buying extras every time i go shopping for quite a few weeks, look out for offers to help stock up, Quite a few shops have baby events on now so I've got loads of wipes and nappies just incase prices rise I'm covered for a while. Also bought another freezer on offer so going to stock that up too. Its surprising when you write down the stuff you need every day how much there is we rely on. I would rather stock up now and be ok incase the worst happens, when everyone else starts panic buying its good to know my children have what we need

For spices, search for magnetic spice on Amazon & you will find shedloads of small magnetic tins which you can stick on the side of the fridge, or some come with a wall mountable board to stick them too.

Another thing is to see what you fit in your cupboards & measure the gaps between the top of the tallest food on each shelf (worth making sure all the tall stuff is on the same shelf) & the underside of the shelf above. Then just subtract the depth of the shelf & you'll know if the space is big enough to add a shelf or not.
Often there is only one shelf in a wall cupboard & you may well be able to have 2 - you should be able to pick up a cheap bit of white melamine or whatever your shelves are made of easily & 4 shelf supports as most cupboards have predrilled holes to adjust the shelves.
Alternatively, boxes approx. the size of ice cream tubs are a handy way to store packets & you can then put stuff on top of their lids.

Thanks elyelyoy I looked at hanging shelves but my cupboards are a weird size. Cupboards with one shelf in are exactly sized to fit 2 standard sized tins one on top another height wise. I've a load of tins in. Packets can be tricky sometimes but the thing about grape punnets earlier reminded me I used to use plastic containers to keep packets in stood up so I'll do that.

Can't put stuff in living room as nothing to put it in & can't afford to buy the kind of furniture that would conceal I wouldn't want visitors knowing its there.

No room in my room for a wardrobe, dd has one in her room but it's chocka, but I might get her a couple crates too for under bed that she can put stuff only she uses in, would include Sanpro for her I've just thought. Hopefully I won't need any as I'm supposed to be keeping on noriday back to back for endo but I'll need to stock up on that.

I debated magnetic spice tubs but the fridge freezer is right at entrance to kitchen & U suspect it would mean they'd keep getting knocked off which would be annoying. Possibly side of fridge freezer? Is it magnetic there? That's side on to the larger counter space.

On a practical level: DH & I think nothing of eating 6 chicken thighs for tea......ie a 'pack' so I'm now freezing each one separately so we can have 1 or 2 each (depending on circumstances) and fill up of bread/potatoes depending on availability

Which means my vow not to use cling is dead!! and that I will fit more in the freezer as there will be fewer 'air' gaps

I hope ?

Ok more ordering done. Dd has said she'll help by putting tina on top of the high cupboards, delivery comes Sunday so tomorrow I'm gonna have a sort out, throw out out of date stuff and organise in date order so eg newer tins at back of cupboards.