[MaryJeanH]

Hello Friends,
So when do you reach the point of having enough of a stockpile? I learned to stockpile for times when money was tighter and I might not be able to afford what I needed. However, given the current economy and my financial state, it seems that the time is now. I have more than a year supply of shampoo etc. The thought of not needing to buy it for that long is kind of exciting for me. That's what my stockpile should be for. It's the main vain of frugality for me.

What about you all? When is it time to just use the stuff rather than build? It seems that every few weeks, we can manage to get free or nearly free toothpaste and soap.

Happy Tuesday, MaryJeanH

[lucisavesmoney]

I've actually stopped stocking up on bath and body items for the most part, unless I can get it for $0.25 or less. The items that I get at CVS for better than free are is a big bag waiting to be donated to a local food pantry. I've turned my attention now to stockpiling food, since the months ahead are so financially uncertain. It does seem like we can get free toothpaste every other week, not to mention that I have enough for at least a year at this point! I would say that if you feel comfortable with the amount that you have, then focus on something else. No need to keep buying items you no longer need when that room/effort/money could be spent on other necessities.

[kandikid82]

Isn't the "enough stockpile" an oxymoron??

If something is free I get it. I don't clear the shelves, but I get a few. I generally have 2 garage sales a year so I can always stockpile for that and sell my extra shampoo/conditioner. Or I can donate it, which is a great way to help your community. I guess it's a personal choice. I don't try as hard to get a shampoo deal as I would to get a granola bar deal because we actually need the granola bars. And now my stockpile is so big that I can take a week or two off and not worry, so I do that occasionally. I guess my sense or urgency decreases if I have a large stockpile, but I still do the deals if I can. Hope that makes sense!

[isavealot5]

I have enough when my stockpile closet is full. The coat closet actually.. ain't that sad?!? If only I have space
But then again, we're just a family of 3 ( oh plus a neighbor who occasionally drops by with baked goodies in exchange of health & beauty items.. she really would ask for it, "I baked you brownies, you have Maybelline mascaras, hun?" ) We have a church nearby that I donate most of the stuff I get.

[Lynda1811]

One persons defination of 'enough' is different to another. With that being said, I think it is all determened on your families needs and usage. We all consume in different ways, and quanities.

I shop regular target, walmart, kmart, and cub. I don't have a cvs or walgreens (walgreens will be opening soon, but is almost an hour away). So I am not able to get the great deals that most get on free items.

I have to travel to get to these stores, 45 minutes, to an hour. I can only do one trip a week, and will soon only be able to do one trip every other week.

I have enough health and beauty items, along with a good supply of cleaners. But, I have a hard time stocking up on food. Sales in my area are few and far in between.

I took over my basement, which used to be our game room, to have one room for stockpiling. I didn't like having it spread out over the whole house. There were times that I didn't know what I had, or how many and was buying more. Now having it all in one spot has made it much easier.

So when do you say you have enough? I don't have an answer for you. LOL

Lynda

[xmaspickle]

I try to look at any particular item..how many do we use in a month/year..how often does it go on sale..how much of a difference am I getting vs the regular price..meaning..if I run out of this is is only going to cost me 60 cents more to replace?? I weigh out how many I need vs how much space does it take up...

right now I have very full cupboards, a cupboard full of first aid/illness meds..that's enough..UNLESS there is a freebie of a type we don't already have...and now with the CVS coupon I'm stocking up on TP..it's cheap and free..but then it's been free cottonelle several times via kroger, shortcuts coupons and double coupons..so it's not a panic..and I also know it's not hugely expensive even at Costco in the bulk packs..so I'll stockpile but not rewall the house with the stuff..

for food things..I look at it..how many times a week do we want to eat that?? how many packages do we use each time?? and then multiply out for months/year depending on the sale price..if it's something healthy, used frequently and free..I grab as many as I have Qs or whatever to get it free..if really cheap..is it the cheapest I've seen it?? how much is the replacement price at Costco or the last sale?? if it beats the low ball in my price book..stock up..if in the same range as the last sale..then just a replacement amount for the 3-6 months since the last sale...

if it's a food that isn't as healthy but we use occasionally like say oreos..I'll pick up a few..maybe a one pack a month supply...even if cheap or free

if it's totally unhealthy, processed, high fat, high salt, processed..like pizza rolls..I won't put them in my cart even free...stuff like that I figure is very sneaky..you think it's a good deal..but in reality I'll pay with health or my family's health...so I try to be hyper aware of the coupons/sales/marketing that is trying to push something that would not be good for us...just because I've heard about it a bunch of times doesn't mean it should be on my shelf..

conversely..very healthy..like when I find whole grains or whole grains flours on sale/which is rare..I stock for at least a year..and double bag/put in sealed plastic tubs with mint gum/bay leaves and such that will detract from pantry pests..

and when canned salt free tomatos were on sale..I bought over 100 cans at a dime a piece
and now with CVS popcorn..I probably have 2 years worth..it's whole grain, plain seeds..and we use 1 teaspoon of oil to make a batch..and then a sprinkle of salt or low fat cheese so it's very healthy when we are done...and I haven't gotten it free before, we go through probably a bag a month...

and things like makeup..just a couple of each is a great stockpile as I usually forget to put it on..hah!

[Jess]

I agree with what as been posted. I do not have a tally sheet on prices or when sales are (maybe someday), but I know what my family needs. I am currently trying to have a year shock on Health and Beauty supplies and a 3 month stock on food. Like Lynda1811, I live in MN where sales and double coupons are hard to find. So, I do what I can and buy what I need.

[foggy]

We are a family of 8 now that dd married and moved out in November. I like to keep at least a one year supply on HBA items if at all possible and if get items for free, I wil still add some to the stockpile just in case friends, family, neighbors, etc. get down on their luck and I can help them out.

Food stuff is what's the hardest for me to keep a good stockpile on because I've got growing boys and a dh who can put away some food. I try to keep at least a 6 months supply on what I can and other things that are a little harder for me to keep stock on, I try for 2-3 months at least....doesn't always happen though.

[foggy]

Originally Posted by isavealot5

.. "I baked you brownies, you have Maybelline mascaras, hun?" )

I am laughing so hard at that. I can just see that lady coming over with those brownies now.

[marbear]

I only try to get what I can use in a year and honestly I can do most of that all at 3 or 4 sales a year. I notice when Walgreens does their yearly clearance I can take in my q's for shampoo and makeup and REALLY make out well. I am low on toothpaste right now because I have not bought any in at least a year. I used to run out and get every deal to donate but I don't have the energy to do that anymore. I was having back spasms from getting the twins in and out of the van so much - a doctor copay is $20 so I do not get extras for donations anymore. I just try to get what I can get during my regular shopping trips and I will make a special exception for wags closeouts 3-4 times a year. Right now I just stockpiled enough hair stuff for 1 year or so from the wags garnier deal. If I have held on to stuff a while I will trade with friends or give away.

[LisaArbo]

Originally Posted by foggy

I am laughing so hard at that. I can just see that lady coming over with those brownies now.

Hmmmmm.............I love to bake.............and I am finally out of toilet paper and shaving cream.

[foggy]

Originally Posted by LisaArbo

Hmmmmm.............I love to bake.............and I am finally out of toilet paper and shaving cream.

um... let's see now we may be able to make a deal!

[monkeymom]

As long as I can afford to stock up and have the room I will do it. Plus I get most of the stuff FREE or close to it. I wont pay to much for anything IF I dont have the $ to do it. I set a budget for the week and stick to it...or close to it. MY bills come first always..thinking gesh wonder how many women have not paid something in order to shop for a deal? hope not to many. I couldnt do that I am way to responsible and afraid I am thankful for all the deals I get and I share and it feels good to share and help someone out.

I guess its to each his/her own...ya know what ever you think your family is OK with ?! right ?

[LilyMami]

well, fist off I just want to say that i'm still pretty new at this and I don't have nearly the coupons sources or stock of coupons that some of you ladies do.... I don't clear the shelves or anything, and I usually can only get my items 4 - 5 at a time...

but with that said "free is FREE"... Most of my items from my stockpile are only there because I got them for free. I will get anything that is free or nearly free...

Because this is the way that I look at it, if MY family can't or won't use it, someone else will... We are the type of family who may have a little extra in the budget this week, but are scrimping to buy a gallon of milk the next... the work isn't always steady in my fiance's line of work...

Once my stock gets high enough that I would think that I had enough to last... I would ask friends and family, OR just send out random care packages... how cool would it be to just receive a box unannounced of items that you could use any day!? I would also like to have a little extra to know that if times got really tight I could sell some of it in a pinch at a yard sale to make a little bit of money if we needed it.

But even more important than that, there are more people in America right now that are in sincere need, than there has been in a loooooong time... and if I can help them in any way possible I will... so if it's something that my family or friends don't need, or won't use, and it desn't cost ME anything... i will get it and put it in a box to go to the food bank or the shelter... Because neediness isn't just going away over the weekend, and those people consume items just as we do, so the demand is always going to be there... so even if it's my 45th tube of toothpaste... I will pick it up if it's free... . Needy people need clean teeth too! =D

[30good]

I want to 6 months of H&B, mostly stocking food for last 4 months. I have this urgency to have enough food to feed us for 6 months. Times are getting worse. The q's values are down over the last 2 years. I do figure how much we need in a week/month and how often it goes on sale. Like the electrasol only comes out about 2x per year. So I stock then.

[jenbob31905]

My main concentration right now as far as stockpiling goes is anything baby for our 4 month old. I have at least a 6 month supply of diapers & wipes... Working on baby foods currently. I'll work on foods for us once we get the pantry straightened, cleaned, etc... H&B goes into the hall closet and bathrooms. I try to stick to our brands (loyal to a few) only though, unless it's a money-maker. I still consider myself new to Q'ing and stockpiling and am afraid of things getting out of hand quick... (stuff going to waste, food expiring,etc.)

I will probably stockpile more once I get the hang of things & a system of some sort!

[LilyMami]

Originally Posted by jenbob31905

My main concentration right now as far as stockpiling goes is anything baby for our 4 month old. I have at least a 6 month supply of diapers & wipes... Working on baby foods currently. I'll work on foods for us once we get the pantry straightened, cleaned, etc... H&B goes into the hall closet and bathrooms. I try to stick to our brands (loyal to a few) only though, unless it's a money-maker. I still consider myself new to Q'ing and stockpiling and am afraid of things getting out of hand quick... (stuff going to waste, food expiring,etc.)

I will probably stockpile more once I get the hang of things & a system of some sort!

Well First of all I would say that you havea pretty good plan...

As for the fear of food expiring, once you get more organized,ju st always remember to rotate you product.... meaning whenever you buy something new, put it in the BACK so that it gets used LAST.... Also if you notice that the dates are fast approaching, take it to a food bank... that stuff flies out of there so fast that it won't really matter to them anyway.

I'm new to this Couponing and stockpiling, but I'm doing whatever I can, especially in times like these...

*Happy Stockpiling*

[MaryJeanH]

Hi All,
Great posts, thanks! I will still get free things too, especially Cottenelle toilet paper. I just became aware that I needed to start tracking to make sure that the OOP wasn't becoming too much. For example, last month, I saved over $1000.00 and only spent $300.00---but---we didn't really have the $300.00. So it was great to get all of that stuff, but it's not really saving if I do that regularly. It was still a pretty inexpensive Christmas month. I was able to give every single member of my family a gift bag with at least 3 shampoos, 2 deoderants, a full laundry soap, dish soap, pack of bar soap, a lotion, clearning products, and other items. Times are tight for everyone and they were thrilled to get so much (Like Foggy, I was raised in a family of 10). I had enough to give to the shelter as well.

Now that it's January, I just think I need to concentrate on using what I have and trying a calmer approach. I do feel lucky that I found this site and have learned so much. Because in previous years, we would have spent the 1000 and thought it was fine.

Happy Wednesday, MaryJeanH

[dadof4teens]

I love to stockpile but because of finances lately it hasn't been much of an option, sort of like MaryJean, saving a ton but spending to much. I had stockpiled some things and didn't keep an eye on them. I've been watching the tp posts but for the life of me didn't think we could be even close to running out but BAM my wife told me we are running low. So now I'm scrambling hehe (well the kids have admitted to going toilet papering a couple of times). There are a few other things like detergent that when I had 16 bottles of ALL my wife said STOP, well we are down to the last one, should have gotten more.

I'm rambling a bit but I do need to think the stockpile thing thru a little more. Right now I have 30 boxes of pasta but very little sauce, 25 packages of Kraft singles, that expire in March (no worries there with my kids), 6 frozen turkeys, and about 30 lbs of frozen boneless skinless.

Thanks for bringing it up!

[foggy]

dadof4teens... I panic when I get down to 10 of something.

[stinkbag]

I feel I never have enough if its free.....I would rather get it and donate it if I don't use it.

[LilyMami]

Originally Posted by stinkbag

I feel I never have enough if its free.....I would rather get it and donate it if I don't use it.

I totally agree with you!

[Mavourneen]

When do I have enough? When Mr Mav starts setting up shampoo bottles in the bathroom and he and our son bowl for shampoo in the bathroom !

[danielephant]

I never pay anything but tax on my stockpile items, I just don't feel like paying for them

We are moving into our house soon, so i will have room to SP other things as well, so this may change...

If i can get it for free i would say keep going! LOL...I love my obsession...

[SophiesMommy]

if its free i will stock way up! i try to keep a years worth of hba products on hand and if there is a deal i just cant pass up and scoop it up. what my family of 4 cant use i know , SIL, MIL, grandpa, cousins or church can use.

right now im trying to only get things that are free or next to free