How do you decide how much to stockpile?

[4growinkids]

Walking a fine line between hoarding and stockpiling seems to be a big problem - how do you decide how much and what items to have in your stockpile? I live in the Northeast, where sales seem to be few and far between! I appreciate advice from Coupon Veterans!

[honeybear1]

My stockpile is the the things I need and/or will use. I live in a townhouse, so my stockpile is not that big, it can't be, I would run out of room! I try to have a good stockpile of paper towels (under .50/c roll), laundry detergent (1.99 or less), and dish soap (.50c or less). I have pasta, condiments, tampons, shampoo/conditioner, razors all stockpiled at the best price I can find. I will usually buy upwards of 5 of each per "deal" or sale, b/c that is usually the amount of coupons I have.

eta--- "hoarding" only happens when you don't use your stockpile, or have so much that there is no way you (and your household) can use it before it expires/goes bad.

[thecouponmilitia]

Hi 4grown

I'm asking myself the same question. I am very new to this and I am trying to get enough stock to support 7 people between the ages of 2-48. It's something that I would like to share with my entire immediate family.

So far sales aren't too great. I live in Southern Texas where no store doubles or triples. What I'm thinking about doing is making sure there is enough for a 3 month supply per person. It still is alot, but I know that I don't have enough space for a longer supply and it just cost more than I'm willing to spend at times to stockup more than that even with a good sale. Again I am new and I may be using the wrong attack method lol.

I'm starting to notice as well that gender plays alot into how much you should stockpile. I have 4 boys in my immediate family (2/17/19/42) and it seems no matter how many bottles of free soda or chips I get its not enough. This last soda run I got 10 bottles of free soda thinking I would be ok for a month...it lasted 1 week.

I'm thinking that its going to take some time to really find out how much you need of what item. I can honestly say my family has never been in a position to fully indulge without thinking about "the budget". Couponing has started to change this way of thinking little by little.

I know this isn't too helpful, but I hope this gives you some insight

[motherofmolly]

Hi 4grown

I'm asking myself the same question. I am very new to this and I am trying to get enough stock to support 7 people between the ages of 2-48. It's something that I would like to share with my entire immediate family.

So far sales aren't too great. I live in Southern Texas where no store doubles or triples. What I'm thinking about doing is making sure there is enough for a 3 month supply per person. It still is alot, but I know that I don't have enough space for a longer supply and it just cost more than I'm willing to spend at times to stockup more than that even with a good sale. Again I am new and I may be using the wrong attack method lol.

I'm starting to notice as well that gender plays alot into how much you should stockpile. I have 4 boys in my immediate family (2/17/19/42) and it seems no matter how many bottles of free soda or chips I get its not enough. This last soda run I got 10 bottles of free soda thinking I would be ok for a month...it lasted 1 week.

I'm thinking that its going to take some time to really find out how much you need of what item. I can honestly say my family has never been in a position to fully indulge without thinking about "the budget". Couponing has started to change this way of thinking little by little.

I know this isn't too helpful, but I hope this gives you some insight

that is when you start to put a limit on the soda or chips that they can have...or lock this up (yup lock it up).

i think the hoarding comes into those that have sooooo much they will never use it. they, their family, the entire block of homes would never be able to use it!. there comes a time you say 'you know i have 14 bottles of bleach, i am good for now" and then skip to the next deal.

and it is nice not having to worry about the budget so much when you can save and buy the extras. i like it that i stay at home with my kids and i still can buy them extras if we want and not hurt our budget. getting a second freezer and i am happy to say that with the overtime that dh is getting today, that will pay for half off the freezer. and we are still good on our budget! and now i can get more things that i can freeze (pizzas, cheese, and bread and hotdogs that we go thru alot)

[Troop1379]

I stockpile when things are under a $1.00 like nivea boday was was free so i got all 19 bottles (yes I still had 10 from the last deal) but I have two teens that think they get dirty over night. And for the soda and snacks I put some way in my room and i put some out for them. I also tell them when it is gone it is gone (yes they know I have more) but i wait to put more out. I stock a lot of HBA before food. If it is food i stock about 3 months ahead.