Stockpiling Made Easy
A stockpile is your own stock of deals and cheap finds that you buy for future use and/or to donate. People have different takes on stockpiles. Some feel they are absolutely necessary while others feel they are a total waste of space and time. My personal opinion is that everyone should have one even if it is just for emergencies.
Food
Stockpiling food is okay, but you have to make sure to check the expiration date. There is nothing worse than stockpiling food to finally need it and it’s expired. Try to stockpile food items that you eat almost daily, that don’t mold easily, and, of course, you have room for. We are all guilty of finding a good deal and buying entirely too much, only to find we don’t have enough room. So before leaving to get a large amount of a specific item, check to see how much room is available. Also check to see what items needs to be replenished; you may still have a ton left over and may not need to buy more. I am guilty of stockpiling food I didn’t need.
Toiletries
The first things to always stockpile are items that you use just about every day. This includes toilet paper, tooth paste, paper towels, laundry detergent, and dish detergent; if I can ever find a really good deal on these items, I stock up. Make sure to store paper products in a dry, room-temperature area to avoid water damage and fire. Seems like every time I stockpile a toiletry, I have to rearrange the entire house to make room, so be prepared to stack, bend, and force items to fit.
Donating/Gifting
Every holiday I give away necessity bags. I simply fill up gift bags with all my stuff I stockpiled. It is amazing how adults love opening gifts that have an element of surprise solely because they have no idea what all is inside. They are like kids in a candy store; they just can’t get enough. Call local shelters, churches and daycare centers ahead to see what items are needed for donations. Most donations are tax deductible, which is an added bonus.
Stockpiling can come in handy, especially when prices rise and you can no longer afford to buy expensive products. About six months ago I stockpiled Softsoap bars of when they were under $2.50, and now they are almost $4 for a 4-pack. For $1 a bar, I refuse to pay that high of a price when I can get other brands cheaper. Thankfully, I still have more than my share of soap left from my stockpile, so no worries. Stockpiling will teach you how to organize, reorganize and make room even when it is not available. When stockpiling an item—especially with coupons—make sure to know the store’s coupon policy so that you don’t get a cart full of items just to be rejected at the checkout line.
Deal of the week: Colgate 4.6oz $1, with .50/1 that doubles to $1/1, total is Free!
