For AA's I buy the small plastic tubs of Rayovac AA's with the locking flip-top and save the tub when the batteries are used up. Then I use the tub(s) to store my NiMH rechargables. Though I tend to prefer Duracell and Engergizer, I like the Rayovac tubs.

For the alkaline batteries I usually just store them in their original containers on a shelf since the packaging has the use-by date (though I usually ignore that). For checking batteries I used an old battery meter I got from Radio Shack a loooong time ago. I'll bet they sell similar devices that are a fraction of the size these days.

Ken K.