Oh my gosh! Way 2 coincidentally, I was thinking the same EXCEPT calculating the use of ground, canned coffee.

In my case, the reason this came about, was because I took a leap "backwards", if you will, and purchased an ole-fashioned percolator on Ebay. I think the coffee tastes best when fresh "perked." In addition, I don't need to use coffee filters, or would I forget that the coffee pot is on for hours (as could happen with a Mr. Coffee type system.

We go through one can in about 8 days. Am trying to stretch this out by alternating hot tea instead. We shall see. The only chance of me getting coffee stocked is on sale/or with coupons. Paying it straight up in the northeastern part of the country is insanely high-priced! So I do consider it a treat.
Bravo to all of you keeping track and thus reducing expenses!

Janet

At walmart the Maxerll House masterblend is usually $6.  the rest of the MH  is a lot higher.  I get Master Chef for 4.98 for a large can.  I have'nt tried counting how long it lasts,  but it is a good idea.  For the same MH at Foodlion , it is $10.  a can.   I am addicted to the caffiene, so if i don't have coffee, I take a terrible headache.  I mean a terrible HEADACHE.  Since on soc sec.  , i shop usually once a month for groceries,  so maybe i should start counting how much i will need.

Dear All, Remember how my one complaint about my home health care aides/In-Home SUpportive Services was that they used up HUGE amounts of cleaning aides?  (Dish detergenet, laundry detergent, etc, etc.)  WELL!  When I did the laundry yesterday, I noticed that the one washing machine that always regurgitates suds onto the floor didn't spill any yesterday.  I musst be using less than even I had done in the couple, 3 of months that I've essentially been w/o aid.  (My Certified Nursing Assistant's 2 hours/wk that I paid for myself did not include doing the laundry)

I've just finished a bottle of dishwash detergent, & I'm noting how long I can make it last ...  will compare this time with the next ....

Yours in Him, Deb

I've dated dog food packaging when I got a new dog (a Great Dane) to begin estimating how long a bag of dog food lasted with 2 dogs so I could stock up when the brand I like goes on sale.

RE:  fresh perked coffee

An extensive medical study determined that users of perked coffee have higher cholesterol levels as opposed to filtered coffee. It involves one of the coffee oils.

So, I'm using the darned plastic thing now, instead of the trusty RevereWare perk which also could be used to can a single pint or half-pint of any water bath item.  Now, of course, we get the word that the plastic critter contains Bisphenol A and will affect our hormones.  Since my cholesterol is high and my hormones are low, I'm stuck with the perishable pot. 

Can't really track my consumption anyway, since I use a level scoop on the average day, one and a half on the days when I have trouble waking up.  

I've always dated canned/boxed food with the date purchased as my Great Aunts always did it that way.  I helps me know how long I've had the product and how much to stock up on a great sale.

With detergant I mark the box or bottle at each use to see if I actually get that 40 loads and the only way that is happening is if you use the small load line which is generally enough detergant to clean a full load of clothes anyway.  I was able to get 4 containers of Purex's new 3in1 laundry sheets for free and I cut them in half to equal more of what I normally use. 

I date the furnace filter so I know when to replace instead of going by memory.

Roberta 

Sometimes I write the date on the bottom of a bottle of liquid soap, shampoo etc with a sharpie because I'm curious how long it lasts. There are some things though that I dont see how I could stretch further than I already do. I love seeing how just a little dab of liquid soap makes as much sudsy lather as a full pump in the palm of your hand.