[Lady_Lithium]

UPDATE: September 7, 2011, added new pics, posts #29 and #30

I've been couponing since January 1 of this year, as a New Year's Resolution to save more money. It's been a bumpy ride, and I'm still learning the ropes. I now know how much is too much (pasta, toothpaste), and how much is not enough (water, baby wipes). It makes me super excited for next year, when I'll (hopefully) know what I'm doing.

I don't have shelves, just a giant table. Does anyone have advice on organization for me?

My favorite part of my stockpile is probably the Beggin Strips. My dog loves these. I'm also fond of my Happy Baby collection.

I can't wait til my stockpile looks like some of yours!

[Lady_Lithium]

Forgot one

[WCTW]

Nice pics. Thanks for sharing.

[barbnron]

Great job!!

[Ronica447]

Awesome job!
As for storage, Do you have any place for shelving?

[Chloey]

Check out wal-mart sterelite containers. They are cheap and reusable. I get the shoe box size and it fits anything perfectly. From toothpaste to pantyliners. I use one for pantyliner, one for toothpaste, one for razors, one for deodorant... on and on. They stack well and haven't have a problem not fitting anything in them. Even big stuff I can put in the container and keep it all together then. Also Lowe's has shelving for about $15 that is plastic, easy to put together, and durable. I use that for my food items along with the sterelite containers makes for easy stacking.

[ladyvdzine]

impressive

[preciousgirl1120]

Great job!

[shchmo]

Awesome!

[siriradha]

Gosh, that's a formidable "first!"

Looking for a place to stash our kitchen stash, DH and I hit on putting things in a big plastic storage bin under the table. I've also used the "Christmas wrapping storage boxes under beds.

[Lady_Lithium]

Thanks! I will have to check out the shelving at Lowe's, although I fear I've become so accustomed to getting a deal I won't be able to buy the shelves without a coupon haha. Thanks for your tips!

[Chloey]

If you qualify for their credit card you get 5% off!... and coupons all the time in the mail!

[Z and G's Mom]

Right now there are a lot of deals on shelving and storage items because of Back To School/College sales. This would be prime time to grab one... or ten!

Great job on the stockpile! I especially love how cognizant you were of separating out your food from your non-food. That is VERY important!

[Lady_Lithium]

Thanks guys! I actually found some old plywood and such in my basement... and I think I'm going to try to build some shelves for my closets and do it that way!

[EStimpert]

Originally Posted by sylviarinck

Thanks! I will have to check out the shelving at Lowe's, although I fear I've become so accustomed to getting a deal I won't be able to buy the shelves without a coupon haha. Thanks for your tips!

Last time I moved and got the moving envelope from the post office they had a 10% off anything at Lowes coupon!!

[QClippinMama]

Love the enthusiasm to save money!
Why buy it when you can build it!!

[Grasshoppa]

Love it!!! Build your shelves......they will mean sooo much more. You are doing awesome!!!!!!!

[ladyvdzine]

You can pick up Lowe's q's pretty cheaply on the bay. Also, Lowes (mine at least) will honor competitor coupons.

[Minijump21]

This thread actually motivated me today, . We bought our home 5 years ago and have been picking projects (so many to choose from) as we go. Haven't gotten to the basement yet, and it's bad, . It is an 80 yr old house... Anyway we have a root cellar that a previous owner had built wooden shelves in. Problem being that room leaks. So the shelving was moldy and mushy...eeeewwwww.
Then I got to reading this today . Wooden shelves, not an option. We have regraded that side of the house, which slows down the leaking. So today DD and I bought sealer and plastic shelving (200 lbs a shelf!!). I figured metal may rust, but plastic should be ok in a damp environment. I only plan on using it for plastic sealed stockpile things anyway, laundry soap, kitchen and bath cleaners, yadda yadda. We hope to seal it tomorrow (ripped out all the nasty shelving today). Maybe the sealer will really help? One can dream. And a growing stockpile needs space. Sorry it was so long, but thanks to all previous posters for getting me motivated. Needed to get moldy wood out of my home anyway.

[Brutuses]

Wow, great job so far. One option is buying some inexpensive plastic and cardboard type shelving to put on the table top to give you vertical space. Don't forget about shoe caddies and wire racks that can be hung on back of doors also.

[ASleaster88]

I use totes a lot. I was putting things on shelves but I have a four year old that loves to just get into anything so now I put things into clear totes according to what it is. (mens wash in one, womens in another ect)

[grammar]

I don't know about your area, but around here this is the season for yard sales. I have seen lots of storage totes at them. I'm sure they would work great on your shelves, especially for the smaller items.

[gypciz]

Originally Posted by sylviarinck

Thanks! I will have to check out the shelving at Lowe's, although I fear I've become so accustomed to getting a deal I won't be able to buy the shelves without a coupon haha. Thanks for your tips!

Make an exception to your coupon rule and GET SOME SHELVING! Shelving is a lot less bulky than a HUGE table sittng in the middle of a room. Just find some wall space and you're set. I watched sales ads for Menards and bought four. Even though I didn't have a coupon, they all had MIRs attached. I just got back $30, so total, I paid about $30 after the rebates. It's worth it to me to have the organization. HTH!

[nwfrugalista]

Awesome stockpile for such a short time couponing!

I would suggest metal shelving units (if you get the tall ones, you get a lot more storage for a lot less floor space used). Plastic ones are OK, but you have to mind how much weight you put on the shelves b/c they can get warped/bow out and be hazardous if you exceed the weight limits.

Metal shelves hold more, just make sure to put your heavy stuff on the bottom (to avoid a tip over hazard) and make sure that if it's in a basement/garage that you keep pantry items (cereal, crackers, granola bars etc.) in sealed bins. As you already have done, keep food stuffs separate from laundry/cleaning supplies.

[Rakella]

I love the plastic shoe box idea. I have some shelving that is being quickly eaten up by paper products. I also wonder about those flat boxes that slide under beds. Anyone use those?