Can a next action have both an Errands context and a due date?

Hasan Bjaili said:
Can a next action have both an Errands context and a due date?

Suppose I have the following next action:

Buy printer ink
Context: Errands
Due date: Friday

If I am already out running errands on Tuesday, should this action appear on my Errands list even though it is not due until Friday?

My understanding is that the due date indicates the deadline, while the Errands context indicates that the action can be completed while I am out. However, the action itself already makes it obvious that I need to go to a shop, so I am questioning what practical value the generic Errands context adds.

Would you assign both a due date and an Errands context to this action? If so, how do you use the Errands context in practice without confusing the due date with the date on which the action becomes available?
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If I was going to buy printer ink from a store I would put it on my errands list. It’s my “when I’m in a physical store” context.

I’m reasonably consistent with looking at my errands list before I venture into town. It means I can ask my wife if she needs to be pick up anything. If I can buy printer ink at the store I’m going to then I’ll pick some up saying as I’m there. If I need to go to another store then I’ll make a decision on whether go there based on time available. If I’m on my lunch break I might only want to visit one store e.g. the supermarket.

My question would be why do you have to buy printer ink by Friday? Does something bad happen if you do it on Saturday? If not then the due date id not needed.

If it’s on your errands list and you’re near the store before Friday (even if you weren’t expecting to be), because it’s on your errands list your brain might say “we’re near store and we have time so lets pick up some printer ink.”

Personally I would just put “buy printer ink” on my computer list then once ordered create a waiting for like “wanting for printer ink to arrive from Amazon.
 
Baz said:
If I was going to buy printer ink from a store I would put it on my errands list. It’s my “when I’m in a physical store” context.

I’m reasonably consistent with looking at my errands list before I venture into town. It means I can ask my wife if she needs to be pick up anything. If I can buy printer ink at the store I’m going to then I’ll pick some up saying as I’m there. If I need to go to another store then I’ll make a decision on whether go there based on time available. If I’m on my lunch break I might only want to visit one store e.g. the supermarket.

My question would be why do you have to buy printer ink by Friday? Does something bad happen if you do it on Saturday? If not then the due date id not needed.

If it’s on your errands list and you’re near the store before Friday (even if you weren’t expecting to be), because it’s on your errands list your brain might say “we’re near store and we have time so lets pick up some printer ink.”

Personally I would just put “buy printer ink” on my computer list then once ordered create a waiting for like “wanting for printer ink to arrive from Amazon.
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@Baz

From this end, all @Conext lists are 'On Going' and when any particular Item comes with a time deadline to prevent something bad from happening, etc, then the calendar can be 'informed' to inform in keeping one's GTD life for maintaining . . . yes, maintaining Mind Like Water

Thus, all that seemingly remain in this particular example would be to make the most out of Printer Ink @Errand is further 'optimizing' that need for 'Printer Ink' opportunity has itself brought to the other items on the @Errand list

As one see's GTD fit as best as possible. . . .
 
Totally agree @Baz . I don't always write this down, but I always consider what opportunity will be missed if I don't honour a deadline. Some opportunities I can afford to miss, others I can't.
 
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