My wife goes strictly by the date, even before sometimes. Doesn't matter what it looks, smells, or tastes like, if it's at the date, it gets tossed.

Some dates she makes up, like deli meat. She gives it 3 days, and it's gone, which isy biggest irritation. Nothing worse than looking forward to a sandwich, only to find out that it all got tossed.

It's been over 30 years, I've moved on from that argument. I just try to find the stuff that's getting close, and use it up.