[obx]

This whole topic requires really understanding the differences and/or relationships between stockpiling and hoarding, living in fear and being prepared, clutter and necessity, holding on and letting go, having more and giving more, when is enough, enough, and finally, whoever dies with the most Q-Tips and tooth paste still dies.
I am very much into creating a stockpile for us, but, I must be vigilant with my "pile" lest greed creeps in. After all, more is not always more.

[Mavourneen]

The answer is, actually, very simple.

I look at whatever product it is and ask myself "Do I have enough "Product X" for my family's use for 1 year? If the answer is yes, I do not look for deals on that product - even if a fantastic deal comes around.

I have a list in my binder of products I'm actively looking to stockpile. I look at ads and coupons with my mind's eye on that list.

I donate to a homeless families shelter in my county. If I see a good deal to stock up on, and know it is a product the shelter needs, too - I will buy some for them, too -

But for most people here - stockpiling is not about living in fear, or greed. It's about taking advantage of extreme deals to their fullest extent so your family's needs are covered for about 1 year.

[luv2sav]

Agreed Mavourneen, well said. Most people I have seen here on AFC stockpile to save money(don't we all)and what is leftover, most donate to help their fellow neighbor. For me, I genuinely LOVE the pursuit of a deal! I LOVE deal shopping. To purchase a bag full of stuff for little oop is fun for me! When I first began stockpile/deal shopping, I chased down each and every sale! A few months later I was stocked with tons of stuff. Some I would use, and some I would not. The things I would not use I donated to people who were quite thankful. Now, I don't chase down every deal, just what I need. I have enough toothpaste now, after sharing some with another family, so I wont be chasing those deals for awhile.

I must say though, in these tough economic times, It would be wise for those who feel their jobs are in jeopardy, to stockpile a little more than usual. I don't think this is stockpiling out of fear, but being smart and proactive. If someone lost their job, at the very least they wouldn't have to worry about some expenses like food and HBA for awhile, and could maybe trade/sell some stockpile items.

[lovemydh]

Well said.

[pamelab1]

Well said

[wannasavemoney]

I agree with above posters

[couponclippin'momma]

It is a balancing act!

[LisaArbo]

If you need it......it's there.......and if you have too much.......SHARE!

[acroporalover]

Totally agree with prior posters. And yes, we are one of those families that my husband lost his job in November and no sign of work in sight. He was also laid off from Jan-weeks before my daughter was born through March at the beginning of last year. Needless to say, I have to make sure my family is supplied for a while, even if we have to live on spaghetti. We are very brand specific with most things so I only shop for those brands. When I find a deal, I make sure I am stocked for a year. I can not afford to pay even half price for anything right now so when I get things, it is usually for less then $.30 to free. I also make sure my extended family is taken care of on a lot of things. If I have it and they need something, I am more then willing to share on anything that I know I could get a good deal on again. I do not share items that the deal doesn't come around that often or food. I need to take care of my kids first and they understand that.

I am sure if I did not do this and was not as vareful, we probably would have lost our house by now. So it is very difficult for people to judge when they really don't know someone's situation. Yes if someone saw mmy stockpile without knowing, they would probably think I am a hoarder, but really, I am just making sure we are covered with what we would use in a years time. Don't get me wrong, we still have to buy things that normally don't go on sale, but this way, it is not so bad when you have to.

[Drea]

Well I buy things that my family could use, and let me tell you I have a big family....then when they need something they come up and go thru my ""STUFF"" and take whatever they need...Then my Mother will call me and say she needs toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper or things like that...then she always wants to pay me for the things...I tell her I don't want any money, or you don't get it...I love to help my family out whenever I can, it feels so rewarding......

[TexasMom]

I totally agree with everyone on here!! I have a large stockpile and still building it up but I have family that I also take care. I posted on another thread that my dad's disability checks stopped and now they have NO money coming in so they are living off of their savings!! So I buy the groceries and so on and I give it to them so they can have some and not spend their money!! What if my DH lost his job how would ALL of us eat??? So if I go and buy 15 lbs of hamburger meat it's NOT hoarding or living in fear, it's me being a wise shopper and making sure my family eats.

My nephew is living on his own now and working 3 jobs while trying to finsih high school! I'm NOT going to let him go without food or toothpaste or anything!! My little brother just lost his job and he has a 3 yr old son, they will not go without food because I can find a good deal on Cereal. I now have 20 boxes of cereal and planning and getting at least another 50-60 boxes cuz everyone loves cereal and my nephew is 18 and can eat one box in one day!!!!! And while I can get it cheap believe me I will stock up and I don't care what people think of me!! I'm happy because I know that my family will have food to eat!

[6youngs]

So true. I have to watch myself sometimes too. Just because I have a coupon and it's on sale is it REALLY something my family will use??? Often the answer is yes but just making sure I check in with myself and not buy just to buy is good. I find it is good to try and keep myself grounded and remember why I'm couponing and stockpiling.

[shakin72]

I only stockpile stuff I know our family or friends will use.

[belligator]

I agree with not getting greedy and living in fear BUT I live in Houston. So it's a bit justified.

I was here for Hurricane Ike. Even before Ike, I liked to be prepared but afterwards, well, it is a LITTLE about fear. I've lived here almost my whole life, for many hurricane seasons before Ike. But it was really bad here after Ike. I don't know how much everyone knows about how it was here after Ike: Stores were cleared out of EVERYTHING, nobody had power (some us, me included, for 2 full weeks, in the humidity and heat of Houston). The situation was very tense & there was fighting in store parking lots. On top of that I was 6 mos pregnant and my 2 y.o. ds. So yes, now when I stockpile tp, bottled water (which I hate doing b/c they're so environmentally unfriendly) whatever, sadly, there's just a tiny bit of fear there too.

[scrapquick]

I heard that grocery store deals cycle approximately ever 12 weeks so I only keep a 3 month supply on hand because I know the deals will some around again and I don't have the space to dedicate to storage

[justmelome]

I am aiming at a 1 year supply for my family of 4 we live a rural community closest grocery store is 10 miles away we had an ice storm inthis area this winter where people were without power for 3 weeks!!! I also livedin Florida when a hurricane came through and we were without power for 3 days . We are a one income family and I sleep better at night knowing my pantry is full stocked.