* It seems to be a general rule one can rely on that anything that claims to make it "easier" to store some particular kind of thing always takes at least 1.7 times as much storage space as thing being stored - and often much more. Anything that claims to make it easier to store some particular kind of thing and is CUTE requires at least 3.9 times as much storage space as the thing being stored - and often MUCH MORE.

How true... we have lots of plastic boxes for storage of foodstuffs/sandwich carriers etc... but they're taking over the kitchen! In about 6 weeks, there won't be a single box to be found and I'll go and buy some more.... so it'll start all over again.

And what is it with men who can't stack stacking boxes?

Anyway.... Having lived in bedsits where minimal storage space and others 'borrowing' your milk was the norm, I learned a few tricks.

Share as much as you can with your roomie. Things like eggs, milk, bread, rice, pasta, toilet paper etc. A housekeeping pot is useful for this. Each put in say £10 a week and use it to buy the staples you both use. It may take a few weeks and you may find you need to put in more money but it'll work itself out and you may even get a bit left over for treats.

Take it in turns to have 2 or 3 days a week where you each cook for both if that's feasible. That way you can try out recipes for later use by halving the ingredients you used.

Start your own recipe ringbinder. I did this years ago and it's been really useful. It's a cheap ring binder with plastic pockets in it, where I've put clippings, handwritten recipes, odd pages torn from magazines, a bibliography of my cookbooks and which page to find that certain recipe, useful tips like how many teaspoons make up a tablespoon and where to get powdered eggs (I've got some VERY old cookbooks). It's this sort of useful information that can be made up into your own recipe book, especially if you haven't had much experience in the kitchen or have a brain like a colander. One day I'll type mine up properly and sell it to other CRS sufferers!

LTS