How long does it take to get used to having a stockpile?

[brittandan]

My husband's work is seasonal, so every year we go through a period where we can't afford to buy hardly any groceries and then spend the "good" time catching up on bills, so we still never kept much in the house at one time. I started couponing in June and haven't been able to stock up on any foods, because the kids will eat everything in sight. Will they eventually just get used to it being there for them or will I really have to lock the fridge door like I keep threatening? Any one else have this kind of a situation when you first started out?

Kelly

[everprincess]

How much do you have? I seems you just started so I would say it will take awhile to build a decent stockpile. My family gets tired of certain items after awhile. Like poptarts for example-I had 50+ boxes and they are now not eating them as much. They switch to someelse for awhile. It may be a good idea for you to start only keeping so much out and so much hide they don't know about. Out of sight out of mind. Hope this helps.

[lovemygirls]

My kids wanted everything when I first started as well. They would open multiples of the same item but a different flavor. I put a stop to it. I purchased a large white storage cabinet for the garage and started putting stuff in there. Now I have 3 white storage units. Out of site out of mind worked for me. I now pull out just enough to please everyone and put it in the snack drawer and it is not a problem any longer. Now my newest problem is drinks. My husband is a heavy equipment operator and will take 5 gatorade or powerade at a time. I blink and they run away. Now I'm thinking he needs to be locked out

[everprincess]

Drinks are hard in the summertime for sure. My gatorade, powerade, propel is running low. Now I'm working on Smartwater for the stockpile. That's another good piece of advice when you see hot coupons out like the Smartwater 0.75/1 tearpads stock up on those. All of my fruit snacks, granola bars go into a large bin that is on top of the dishwasher. They must eat those in the bin before I will open a new box.

[wild4coupons]

Great post, thanks. I also have trouble keeping a stockpile of food when the darlings seem to eat it as soon as I buy!
BTW how does one get 50+ boxes/ coupons of Poptarts? That might actually keep them busy for a while
Nova

[$Saving!]

My neighbor went through that, when she started couponing heavily after their cupboards being bare for a long time because hubby was out of work, 5 people in the household (three teens) and she on disability for MS.

So, it took about three months before they devoured everything in sight - then it became "we don't have anything to eat" even though the cupboards were jam full

So it sounds like your family is enjoying the huge amount of food options now that you're able to get more.

I'd find a way to hide as much as possible and leave out only that which you don't mind them opening and getting into - then slowly add to it as it dwindles.

Even if it takes 'hiding' under the bed in flat storage bins without them knowing about it

[lovemygirls]

My neighbor went through that, when she started couponing heavily after their cupboards being bare for a long time because hubby was out of work, 5 people in the household (three teens) and she on disability for MS.

So, it took about three months before they devoured everything in sight - then it became "we don't have anything to eat" even though the cupboards were jam full

So it sounds like your family is enjoying the huge amount of food options now that you're able to get more.

I'd find a way to hide as much as possible and leave out only that which you don't mind them opening and getting into - then slowly add to it as it dwindles.

Even if it takes 'hiding' under the bed in flat storage bins without them knowing about it

Maybe I could do that with the drinks

[everprincess]

Great post, thanks. I also have trouble keeping a stockpile of food when the darlings seem to eat it as soon as I buy!
BTW how does one get 50+ boxes/ coupons of Poptarts? That might actually keep them busy for a while
Nova

Last August I do believe Harris-Teeter had this great promo on Kellogg's. I did 7 different transactions all stacked with coupons. All the balances were paid with Kellogg's calendar cards I had received after doing rebates. Then I did more rebates on top of that. I also did buy poptarts previously before this to do the Kellogg's calendar rebates. Then I used the codes off the poptarts to receive more coupons for free poptarts.

[clippyclippy]

Even if it takes 'hiding' under the bed in flat storage bins without them knowing about it

They eventually find every hiding place I can imagine....

[wild4coupons]

Last August I do believe Harris-Teeter had this great promo on Kellogg's. I did 7 different transactions all stacked with coupons. All the balances were paid with Kellogg's calendar cards I had received after doing rebates. Then I did more rebates on top of that. I also did buy poptarts previously before this to do the Kellogg's calendar rebates. Then I used the codes off the poptarts to receive more coupons for free poptarts.

Impressive... when I "grow up" I want to be like you!