Maybe it’s living within a few miles of a Ball plant, or maybe it’s sentimental memories of my grandmother’s pickled beets and my great grandmother’s English Relish, but even though I’m not a canner, I LOVE mason jars. They’re the perfect organizer.

They’re durable, transparent and timeless. You can put flowers in them for a classic country bouquet, or serve sweet tea (or beer) from them for a hearty portion, but my favorite use is organization.

My kitchen countertop is lined with “staple foods” in mason jars. Oatmeal, beans, peas, barley, cornmeal, powdered sugar, powdered milk, bulk spices and home-roasted coffee. It’s great to not be tripping over this stuff in my small pantry, and also to have meal-planning so front-of-mind.

I haven’t found these difficult to clean. I dust them as I wash the countertops. I can monitor supplies (and the kids do too!) and add to the grocery list as needed.

I bought my jars new, but if you just want them for organizing bric-a-brac, (office supplies, crayons, colored pencils anyone?) try thrift stores or freecycle for cheap or free jars.

This post is part of a series I’ve entitled “Frugal August” and is inspired by (though not copied from) the book The Complete Tightwad Gazetteby Amy Dacyczyn. My tips are meant to build on hers, but generally are not duplications.

IMAGE SOURCE: Flickr