[djcullen]

I can finally check this off my list of things to do!


I have been wanting to share my stockpile pictures since last Fall and had been so busy never had the time to sit down and get started. We have very little storage space so it is key to organizing what we have, utilizing our storage space and keeping up with what we have and actually using it and not letting it go to waste.

I am a huge organizer and atleast once a month I reorganize the pantry, shelving unit in garage and H&B supplies in our hall closet so I can inventory what I have. It is very easy to forget what you have. And then you end up buying more of what you already have~

If you are just putting your "new" purchases in front of your "old" purchases and pushing stuff back then things will expire and go to waste.
a. Reorganize at the end of every month (If it is too overwhelming set a kitchen timer and work for 10, 15 or 30 minutes at a time, so you don't wear yourself out and get nominated by your family for the messest House in America and the Clean Sweep team come knocking at your door)
b. Pull all older stock forward and place new stock behind it.
c. Date outside of food packages with a sharpie, so you can SEE the exp. date without having to pull it down.
d. If items are going to exp. soon most are ok way beyond exp. date
e. Donate to a Food pantry if you are not going to use items that will be expiring soon.




Garage stockpile:

Close-up of shelving unit:


More garage pictures:
Ok, so with very little space I use bins in the garage to organize consignment sale items, Birthday items for my children (I buy all year), birthday party toys for their friends, and especially each holiday and I label what I have for each hoilday.

List are key that way you don't have to empty every bin you have looking for the plastic Easter eggs for the Church Egg hunt. You know right where they are. It saves you so much time and frustration if you can go directly to the bin you need and grab a certain item.

A. I buy many items after hoildays and save them for the next year.
1. I don't save candy for a year (of course) Unless it is chocolate and I freeze it.
2. Buy the paper holiday sandwich bags after each hoilday for kid's lunches or for goodie bags for next year's school parties.
3. Buy stocking stuffers at deep discounts to use for next year
4. Hoilday stuffed animals (I already have my children's Valentines toy for 2010 & their 2009 Easter stuffed toys are in a bin ready for this year (purchased last year 75% off at Target.
5. Target has two toy clearance sale a year in Jan after Christmas rush and just before the start of the new school year in July/Aug. I buy all my Christmas gifts then.

I label the front of all my bins with what is inside with detail

Example:
Easter:
Plastic eggs, stuffed toys, colorful paper bags, easter grass, stickers









(School Supplies) Rite Aid Deal Last Fall: paid 84c for the M&M

Details of Rite Aid Deal Link: http://www.afullcup.com/forums/stock...tml#post775162













Shelves in DS closest (he is the only one with a huge closest, so that is where the extra food items go):
Note: Green bin on floor is full of pullups and flushable wipes







Example of dating and numbering products:

I only recently started the dating and numbering system, the main reason was because I would think I was out of something and go buy it and then realize I already had it. Or I would think I had something, plan my meal go to get a product out of the pantry only to find out that I was out. (what a waste of time and money)

A. I date items with expiration date/ sell by date (If there is only a code # and no expiration date email the company the code and they can tell you what the expiration date is for your product. Jiffy cake mixes use to only have a code and finally they started dating their items.

B. The bottom number (1 of 3) is the quanitity I have on hand. That way when I get down to the last bottle of olive oil I know I need to start thinking about finding a good deal somewhere and get some coupons. Because of the lack of storage space I limit the amount of certain items I purchase and decide how much of a certain item my family will need.

C. Decide what your family uses and needs on a monthly bases. We all use about the same food products monthly. At the start of every month just write down weekly what you buy and compile a list. At the end of that month you will have a very good idea what you and your family use.

Last year I would only stock food items for maybe a 3 month time period of what I might use. This year I started Jan 1 trying to buy for the complete year with food, H&B or paper product when they go on sale. Kroger's Mega deal in Jan. help get that started with the Hormel Chili, sobe water, popcorn and kleenex tissue.

D. Now the fun part, start watching those deals. Having access to the furture ads on AFC is an excellent way of getting your coupons before hand and not waiting to the week of the sale. Make your list of items that you want to purchase than go look for the coupons. There are so many resourse listed on AFC with links to printable coupons, FSOT from other members, online coupon buying site or online auction websites.

E. I also write "OPEN" on products because it never fails my dear, sweet husband with go into the pantry and open another package when one is already open. I love him but sometime I know he came from Mars and I came from Venus.








Linen closest in hallway:






I keep all the razors and tooth paste/brushes in small plastic bins in the closest.


Let me wrap up by saying I give alot to friends, neighbors, family. When you are blessed enough to save money with sales and coupons then you need to share that blessing with others. That is the difference between saving and hoarding.

If you have the "gimmies" and the "its all mines" just try this one time. Pack up a bag of a few of those 100's of TP, buddie bars, glade, reynold wrap and chocolate bars you have hoarded away and give it to your elderly neighbor across the street or at church and watch their face light up with joy~

NO amount of money saved or 100 of coupons used will ever make you feel as good as that.....

[katjim00]

Very impressive!!! I LOVE the diaper picture

[rgyman]

WOW! Nice!

[DebiP]

that is a whole lotta size 6 dipes...great pics love your organization

[knw2860]

Great pics!!! Also, thanks for sharing your tips on organizing and not checking expiration dates. I am new to the food stockpiling so those tips will help greatly.
Nicole

[djcullen]

Originally Posted by DebiP

that is a whole lotta size 6 dipes...great pics love your organization

and he has gone through a ton of them.....

[angelger28]

Great dipe pic!

[nattsgirl]

Very nie, Ilike it!!

[TwinGirlsMOM04]

That is great!!! Way to go!!!

[DebiP]

Originally Posted by djcullen

and he has gone through a ton of them.....

I am sure he has...they tend to do that don't they....looking forward to more pics

[jenlovestoteach]

Amazing...

[lizmolik]

WOW, I so want your diapers, ! You have a nice stockpile!

[NoahsMomma]

Nice job!

[CouponMouse]

Great job!

[frugalmom2009]

WOW great love how organized you are with it all.

[sar1]

Love the organization, but I have to say that my favorite part of your pics is the single pack of M&M's in the corner of the stationery supplies photo. Reward for all of your hard work shopping?? I am quite often guilty of that myself!

[kkkuelbs]

thanks for sharing your pics! i love the one of the diapers w/the little boy - so precious!

[Faith]

Deanna, my dear friend...

Come help me organize!

[pumpkin seed mama]

Wow...what an awesome stockpile!!

[djcullen]

Ok, I am officially done and I am tired but here ya go~

This is what I have minus a small drawer of makeup and deodorant and yes it is completely unorganized and messy, ALWAYS have atleast one drawer that is messy (KEEPS you grounded) Nobody is that good !~

Enjoy and I will be adding more tips. I have tons floading around in my head.

Click on the yellow bar above pics. to make them bigger~

[30good]

Love it! Since I am only 2 hours away, how about a road trip to help me organize?

[30good]

I have a question about the diffrence between saving and hoarding. What attitude does it take to make the diffrence. My friends call it hoarding and my family calls it saving. So who is right?

[djcullen]

Originally Posted by 30good

I have a question about the diffrence between saving and hoarding. What attitude does it take to make the diffrence. My friends call it hoarding and my family calls it saving. So who is right?

If your friends don't coupon then that is why they consider it hoarding...they don't "get it" and never will.

Your family understands and see the savings and benefits; that is why they see it as savings.

And as long as your family is using the items and donating some to help others you are on the right track.

Love it! Since I am only 2 hours away, how about a road trip to help me organize?

[cddwil]

thanks for sharing your pics

[mahri1202]

just awesome!!