[catlover7731]

I live in a small house (maybe 900 square feet, and no moving is not an option at the time) I have absolutely no space, no basement, no attic. I have 3 rubbermaid totes full of Health and beauty items, they are full to the brim. I have a shelf in the linen closet full of it too. My Kitchen is over flowing with cleaning supplies( they are in almost every closet) How do I stop?? I am in the process of trying to Roll RR at Walgreens ( about $32 right now) and $44 ECB's from CVS. I know what I have enough of, and there are some things I still need but they never come up for use with RR/Easy saver rebates or ECB deals . What should I do??
I was thinking of carrying a list around with me to remind me what I need and what I have enough of, so I don't buy more of it. Any suggestions?? Tia Cheryl

[beckybac]

Almost same situation here. I have the space,but i think i may need to just stop getting more ,but now sure how to pass up on deals.

[arcosta81]

Try to remember that the deals will always come back. Try hosting an auction on here or sell some mystery boxes. Have your friends and family come "shopping" at your house. People love making appointments to shop at my house! I sell my stockpile at a deep discount.

[kae]

do you know anyone you can donate too? that's one of the benefits of doing all this in the first place... besides getting what we need for a lot less, we can also afford to donate some to charities (church, city mission, shelters, etc). most of them can use just about anything you can spare... cleaning supplies, hygiene items, makeup (women's shelters), unopened and unexpired food items, ... then they can use their limited funds to purchase other stuff like TP, meat, and fresh produce*...

also, if you are only buying stuff when it's a good deal, then you must be making a shopping list at home, right? so after making the list, go check your stockpile, and cross off the items you have plenty (or too much ) of... unless of course, it comes out to being free, then go ahead and get it, and donate it!

if you want, you can make a list of the items you are donating each time, then get it signed by the charity, and you have a tax-deduction for the market value of each item!
( i don't use deductions myself, i wouldn't have enough to beat the standard deduction.)

*speaking of fresh produce, do you have available ground outside? if you are into gardening at all, you could dig up a space and grow something easy, like parsnips or yacon, or tomatoes.. and donate any extras! that gives you another tax deduction!
if you only have space for front yard flower beds, check into vegetables that also are pretty... certain kale, cabbages, etc, basil types, and others are really quite attractive and people won't know they're looking at edibles unless they're gardeners too, and if they are, they'll probably like it!
(check out "plant a row for the hungry" at Garden Writers Association | Plant a Row for the Hungry)

[stefani1]

I started donating some of my stuff - I have a very small house too - and with 1 child and another on the way, I need to make room. I found the local welfare center that is THRILLED to get the stuff. They have even written me thankyou letters for all my donations - so i guess I can use it as tax deductions for tax time next year.

For some reason my craziness stopped and I've limited myself to mostly things that I need. I've also stopped doing mostly everything except food right now since that is still where I'm spending the most of my money. It's a challenge since CVS and Wags are so easy to get stuff free. I'd say focus on other stuff and don't buy too many items you don't need. I have enough toothpaste for a year and I know there is a sale on it all the time. So maybe I'll get more to donate - but not go crazy!!! Good luck

[Patterson2]

I have loved learning to coupon. I have always loved to shop (even though I have never had a lot of $$$) and now bieng able to save so much with coupons makes shopping better. It's true that I shop for different things than I used to but it all works out in the end. But because of all the shopping my house is overflowing and if anything I stock up on looks like it is getting low at all I start looking for sales but I am now trying to learn that sales always come back around so just because it is on sales I don't have to have it.

[dianiagay]

You could try using some of your stock piles in a different way.
Example: bars of soap make great air fresheners for cars. Just put under the seat. Tear open the box or soap cover a small amount to let out the fresh smell. Irish spring, etc. works great. Toothpaste makes a great cleaner for counter tops, any abrasive scrubbing, etc. Try using your stockpile for birthday/christmas gifts. Get a pretty basket/box at goodwill on the cheap and fill it with stockpile items. Most people will LOVE IT. Take the money you saved on gifts and put into savings for those items we need and can't get on sale or for super cheap.

[Cecelia_B]

I live in about 900-1000 square feet as well so I feel your pain. The first step would be to get organized if you are not already.. I use containers for most of my stuff to separate things like shampoo/conditioner, shaving items, makeup, etc . . . For other items I just have designated space.
Containers or assigned space depends on:
1. How large the item is
2. How often it goes on sale or a stockpiling opportunity arises
3. How much of the product I use
4. How the product will last
Once my space assigned for certain items runs out I stop stockpiling it. If I can get it for almost free AND it is an item that is needed by my charity then I will only purchase to donate.

This plan really helps me to keep my stockpile under control. I have not had any problems with space since my initial stockpiling phase and I have plenty of room to store what I really need. Good luck! It is hard to transition from the hardcore stockpiling to the maintaining and organizing. The shopping is so much more fun!

[Luvs2Shop1983]

Originally Posted by beckybac

Almost same situation here. I have the space,but i think i may need to just stop getting more ,but now sure how to pass up on deals.

I also have a hard time passing up great deals. You could always looking into donating items.