How much to stockpile?

[Janshops]

I need advice.
I think I am out of control in stockpiling.
I have four room 1901 Victorian cottage.
It is cute as it can be but has very little storage as it has one closet. It is over flowing with my stockpile.
I have stuff stacked in every room and I am feeling overwhelmed with it all. I started couponing a year ago and the house is full of so much stuff.
But with the economy the way it is I am afraid to stop.
I have storage totes stacked in every room. I have to much furniture for this small house anyway then add all these groceries and HBA items and I feel like I have a cartoon house stuffed so full that the walls are bulging out.
:shrug7:Am I alone in this?
Does anyone else feel this way?
Did any one do this and then just stopped stockpiling?

[Wolfie1991]

I think you should try calculate how much you use in a week, month, year... How many years worth of X product do you have? Will food expire before you can eat it? Do you live alone?

[AniGirl]

I'm stockpiling too--I live in Wisconsin, and last winter was a long and brutal one. So I figured that I should start a stockpile now, so I'm not forced to go out as much once the snow flies (with a 5 year old in tow)! I've noticed though, that I'm starting to get that mentality you mentioned: "I might have enough, but what if I run out?". I was tempted to buy yet more toothpaste last week, but I have about 12-14 tubes of it! I could've gotten a great deal, but resisted the urge and let it go. If you feel too overwhelmed by your stockpile, maybe you could consider donating some of it. At least that way you know that someone in need is getting good use of it. Best wishes and positive thoughts to you!

[Janshops]

There is two of us.
I have tried to make sure that I have a years worth of everything I buy But a years worth of everything takes a lot of room.
Like tomorrow I was going to go get a years worth of Pancake mix and old fashion oats and it was going to cost me about $5. So I was rearranging things to make room for it.

[FreckleTown]

I haven't started a stockpile yet but I have a 1500 sq ft house so I'm sure I'll be trying to find somewhere to put it.... not to mention, explaining to my husband why I have an igloo toilet paper house for the kids to play in! ha,ha.

[Janshops]

You know when you said that about the toothpaste it reminded me of the fact that our charity group has a back to school give away every year and this year I gave quite a bit but I made it a goal to provide all the HBA items for that give away and that is taking a lot of room for that. I have a tote of Toothpaste, a small tote of toothbrushes,tote of shampoo, tote of soap, and tote of mouthwash and a tote of deodorant, and a tote of shavers and shaving cream That is what is getting to be to much for my little house to hold. I need to find a place to store that stuff that will be safe.
Do you think that stuff would store ok in the attic?

[Jenn8702]

Personally, I would not store stuff that I may consume (toothpaste) or use on my body in the attic. I am thinking the temp changes could affect the consistency and/or smell/flavor of it.

[collectorofbells]

I wouldn't put it in the attic the heat can mess with it..get some under the bed boxes (unless you have a cardboard eating cat...you can get the cheapies at the dollar store) and store stuff under the bed..

use the totes and put boards across them and build shelves..fill the totes, then use the shelf to hold the rest...

I use an old 50 gallon trash can-clean of course...it's in my basement and currently has 20 bags of 10 pound bags of cat litter..probably room for three more..it will keep it dry and I'm storing the can anyway...

[DebK1013]

Lately I have found myself passing up deals because I have too much now. Especially school supplies. I was at Target and it was marked down to 75%. I had stuff in my cart and actually put it back. Yes, sometimes you have to pass a deal to hold onto your sanity.

Right now I am working on food staples. Waiting for the cycle to come around.

I would suggest donating your extra HBA. Even if you donate more and find you need some stuff again, it will be on sale again. The basics always are.

At holiday time our office adopts a family and I always put a tote full of stuff to give them. It is always appreciated and if they are on assistance it doesn't cover those items. I also put together a package of school supplies. Everyone needs to replenish their supplies by then anyways.

Hope this helps. Weed out stuff to make room for more of what you need now!

Good luck and happy shopping!

[mcscheatzle]

I need advice.
I think I am out of control in stockpiling.
I have four room 1901 Victorian cottage.
It is cute as it can be but has very little storage as it has one closet.
Does anyone else feel this way?
Did any one do this and then just stopped stockpiling?

I bet your house is SOOO cute! So if you are comfortable with it lighten up! Try only saving 6 mo worth of items. In six months reevaluate. Have you used what you saved for those six months? Donate or give the rest that you don't need to charity or see if a family member will hold on to a SMALL portion of your stockpile for you.

I think you should try calculate how much you use in a week, month, year... How many years worth of X product do you have? Will food expire before you can eat it? Do you live alone?

I agree!

You know when you said that about the toothpaste it reminded me of the fact that our charity group has a back to school give away every year and this year I gave quite a bit but I made it a goal to provide all the HBA items for that give away and that is taking a lot of room for that. I have a tote of Toothpaste, a small tote of toothbrushes,tote of shampoo, tote of soap, and tote of mouthwash and a tote of deodorant, and a tote of shavers and shaving cream That is what is getting to be to much for my little house to hold. I need to find a place to store that stuff that will be safe.
Do you think that stuff would store ok in the attic?

Not only can the heat or cold cause changes to the products, but the weight of a tote of tooth paste is a ton! I think it is wonderful that you are giving back. Contact the coordinator of this event and see if they can store the items you purchase for them. I bet they would. Or explain that you shop monthly or weekly and would like to make a contribution as such. That way you can unload and still do good! HTH