[Deidra]

I absolutely LOVE the idea of stockpiling, but the only thing that come to mind when I see people's pics is "Whoa, I know some people that can use that during the hurricane season!" I live in Louisiana and always know someone every year (whether it's my family, my extended family, or friends) who was directly hit by the hurricane (esp. Katrina and Gustav) and is in need of supplies. I thought about the people at the shelters that will benefit from those extra toothpaste, body washes, Kotex pads, mouthwash, snacks, etc.

I didn't really have a reason to stockpile for myself (since I don't have room to stockpile weeks ahead of time) - but I will definitely do it for those affected by the hurricane. I want to encourage you all to do it too - it doesn't have to be hurricane victims, it could be one person in need of supplies. Make a nice little box for them, you will be rewarded for it! Shoot, it'll make all those RRs or ExtraBucks really worth it

Anyways, thanks AFC for turning me on to stockpiling!

[tklein]

I am always making up "care boxes" for family and friends, lots of time I will donate to our local food shelter as the donations have been down lately! Is does feel good helping out someone else

[acroporalover]

I am also. It does you make feel good in these rough times to help someone, anyone out. It is one less thing they have to worry about, even if it is just a tube of toothepaste or a deoderant. And they are so grateful for it.

[countrygal7906]

I don't have a big stockpile just starting out. I have a friend from PA going on vacation and is coming through to stay the night here in town so we could have breakfast together. I took things that she will need while on vacation and made a little bag for her and her family. Shampoo & con body wash and tooth brushes & paste and deo. I told her not to pack those thing that I had all she needed for her trip. I'm in the middle of making two boxes for my cousins who r over seas and plan to ship them out in a few weeks.

[deena9]

when katrina hit - my friend had relatives come and live with her. my stockpile came in handy! we loaded my car full of foods, hba and school supplies for them. i also donate to shelters. i've been known to create baskets to be auctioned off for various causes - march of dimes, school band, breast cancer awareness....

[texassaver]

One of my co-workers just had his apartment building burn. The fire started in the back of his stove due to an electrical short. He lost everything & didn't have insurance. I made a care package for him with razors, Gillett body wash, toothpaste, mouthwash, tp, paper towels, 12 pack of Pepsi & other foods & snacks. I don't have a lot of money to donate so I thought a care package would come in handy. He was grateful that he didn't have to spend money on these items. It is a great feeling to help someone in need.

[cindyloo]

I dont have a stockpile as big as some of these gals. But what I do have I share with family and friends. I also donate to a shelter here in town. I dont have a lot of money to give but I get a lot of FREE and really cheap stuff with my RR and ECBs. Thanks to you all for teaching me how to REALLY use my coupons!!!!

[texasrandi]

Same here - I try to keep a stockpile for times of need. But also, we live on a very small fixed income right now while I'm home with the babies and some months, big purchases come up I haven't planned on (tires, water leak, electric bill jumping, etc). We have no savings....other than my stockpile. So when the money is gone, we still have everything we need whether it be simple as soap or food for 2 weeks. I have found it's easier to save the products/food than the money for times of need!

[TexasMom]

I used to donate to the local pantries but I can't anymore! I have my family I have to take care of, my dad lost his disability check so I have to stock pile for my parents and my nephew is living on his own and working 3 jobs and finishing his Sr year in High School so I stock pile for him and my little brother lost his job and has a 3 yr old so I stock pile for them plus I have a family of 4!! Believe me I have to stockpile and my DH hrs keep getting cut at work so I have to buy anything and everything I can.

[iluvbeinamom]

My stockpile isnt very big, I have only started to coupon about amonth ago. But if I have something that I dont need I usually give stuff to my family and friends

[867popcorn5309]

I'm just starting stockpiling because my hubby is headed to Afghanistan, and if I want to be able to send him the things he needs.

My best story is this: when he was out in the middle of nowhere doing training exercises, I sent him several candy bars that cost me 25 cents. Guys were offering to pay 10 bucks a bar just because they were sick of MREs! He refused to take that much of a profit, but he did make a couple of bucks, and some of the guys were cutting a small bar into about 20 pieces just to share/save it. Lol.

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by 867popcorn5309

My best story is this: when he was out in the middle of nowhere doing training exercises, I sent him several candy bars that cost me 25 cents. Guys were offering to pay 10 bucks a bar just because they were sick of MREs! He refused to take that much of a profit, but he did make a couple of bucks, and some of the guys were cutting a small bar into about 20 pieces just to share/save it. Lol.

that is such a heartwarming story but it pinched my heart. the other day, I found a sack full of Hershey dark chocolate bars with the WAG receipt in it and they were all free! my family don't like dark chocolate, I prefer Dove milk chocolate, nothing else. I don't send chocolate candy bars because "my" troops said they melted in transit? is that true? how do you pack them to prevent melted chocolate when they get there? thanks and I will read your reply so I know how to pack them to prevent meltdown

[867popcorn5309]

Originally Posted by joshmamabear

that is such a heartwarming story but it pinched my heart. the other day, I found a sack full of Hershey dark chocolate bars with the WAG receipt in it and they were all free! my family don't like dark chocolate, I prefer Dove milk chocolate, nothing else. I don't send chocolate candy bars because "my" troops said they melted in transit? is that true? how do you pack them to prevent melted chocolate when they get there? thanks and I will read your reply so I know how to pack them to prevent meltdown

If they're going to Afghanistan, etc, the best thing you can do is send it in the winter. Afghanistan actually gets very very very cold during the winter months, so you can send chocolate with little to no problem, from what I've heard. Personally, my hubby doesn't deploy until Nov. so I've only sent chocolate state-side... I'd say wait for colder weather! When it starts to get cold here, it'll be starting to get cold there!

[joshmamabear]

that's a good idea. I'll keep them in the fridge for now and send them in the winter. Thanks!

[jklas]

I plan on stockpiling some things specifically for donating. I belong to a mothers of multiples group and new moms of twins-plus can always use diapers, wipes, formula, HBA, etc. Plus, we make meals for them so i plan on stockpiling ingredients for meals I know I will always make for the new moms.

[coreycoups]

I'm in college and there are many of my friends who are so in debt from loans its not even funny. I try to share as much as I can with them!